How to Stay Comfortable During an Outdoor Wedding in Summer
Summer weddings outdoors are so romantic… and they require planning if you want to stay cool and comfy in the summer heat. Let’s look at some tips to keep cool no matter what Mother Nature has in store.
Lovely in Linen
Linen is almost like a secret weapon for dressy summer occasions. It's beautiful, classic, and cool. For a summer outdoor wedding, consider a linen dress, or linen pants and linen women’s shirt ensemble. A linen tunic top with palazzo-styled pants is a great look that is cool on two fronts—first, it’s made from linen, and second, both the top and pants are cut to flow, creating more air circulation than you would have with a bodycon outfit.
The only downside to linen is that it wrinkles. For best results, iron your outfit (or have your dry cleaner do so) in advance and then wait until you're ready to go to the wedding to put it on. If your outfit includes a linen blazer, consider carrying it, hanging it up, or draping it over the seat of your car en route to keep it wrinkle-free possible. The beauty, comfort, and longevity of linen far outweigh its wrinkle-prone nature. A neutral-colored outfit in linen is a great wardrobe staple that you can enjoy for years to come.
Slip into Silk
Silk is another great natural fiber to consider for a summer wedding. Silk is unique in that it's a natural thermal regulator. The air is captured between the silk threads, so silk is known for keeping the body cool in summer and warm in winter. Silk dresses, pants, and tops are all excellent choices for a summer wedding. A woman’s white blouse is a wonderful wardrobe staple that you can pair with a skirt, dress pants, jeans, or layer under a sweater or blazer. One of the great qualities of silk is that it flows. If you want a beautiful silhouette for an ensemble, silk is a great place to start. It has a soft, silky feel which is comfy against your skin, and it breathes, making it a great choice for summer.
Cool, Crisp, Cotton
Don’t forget cotton as an option when looking at what to wear. A lovely cotton dress or pants and top combination can make a great statement at a wedding. Look closely at the fabric content of any garments that you choose. For example, 100% cotton will breathe much better than its poly cotton cousins. Adding a synthetic to cotton will make it less prone to wrinkles while also making it less cool and crisp.
Consider a maxidress for a long, cool look for the wedding. Many maxidresses are sleeveless which gives you added cooling. If the evening is likely to turn chilly (or the reception will be air-conditioned), consider adding a knit shawl wrap for a lovely and comfy look.
Skip the Stockings
There may have been a time when a lady never left her home without wearing stockings, but thankfully fashion has moved past those years. The more layers you have under your outfit (especially if they are nylon!) the warmer you will be at the wedding. Whether you opt for a dress, skirt, top, or pants outfit, skip the stockings. A pretty pair of sandals with a fresh mani-pedi will look lovely and be cooler.
Along with footwear, keep your accessories and wedding gifts simple if you can, too. A simple clutch purse can handle all your necessities while looking sleek and sophisticated. Make sure to find out in advance if the wedding couple would prefer to have gifts brought to the wedding or shipped to them. Taking advantage of shipping services can be a great way to simplify your wedding experience, which will help you to relax and enjoy the wedding.
Create Shade with a Chapeau
If the outdoor summer wedding will include daytime hours, why not consider a stylish hat? The right hat can serve two purposes—it can look great, and it can also create your own shade. Just like wearing a big hat on the beach can be the perfect way to avoid too much sun exposure, a lovely chapeau can help to keep you cool and comfy at an outdoor wedding.
If choosing a hat is new to you, consider either matching the color of your special occasion dress or going for a white hat that will work with your outfit. This can be a great opportunity to ask a knowledgeable salesperson for assistance. If you have already chosen a great dress, make sure and wear it or bring a photo of it with you on your phone to show the salesperson. You'll want your hat and shoes to coordinate well and “frame” your outfit.
Stay cool and enjoy looking great at the outdoor summer wedding!