what to wear to work when it's hot AF
it's me and my natural deodorant against the world (and the F train)
There’s an unspoken rule among New Yorkers: don’t complain to anyone about the city (unless they live here, too).
Before I moved here two years ago, I had a vague impression of New York. It was busy, glamorous, edgy, artistic, a little dirty. My friends who lived here told me which neighborhoods had the best rats to average rent price ratios, and I felt prepared to walk with the intention and pep of a real New Yorker.
What everyone failed to mention, though, was the heat.
Growing up in Chicago, summers were mild and breezy. The wind off of Lake Michigan keeps the streets cool, and it rarely gets over 80º. Despite Chicago being on top of a literal onion swamp, it’s NYC that feels like a steam room in the summer months.
Why don’t people mention it? Before moving here, I had no idea the summer was so brutal. I’d arrive home from a casual walk around the neighborhood, unable to feel comfortable until after I’d showered. And it seemed like I was the only one with this problem. On the subway platforms, I looked around helplessly, searching for empathy and finding a notable lack of pit stains.
My first summer here was manageable. Living in FiDi, I could easily go home to shower between activities if it got too hot.
Commuting and living in Brooklyn changes things. Last summer, I arrived at the office so sweaty that the entire back of my white dress looked like a wet t-shirt contest, showing my pink underwear to anyone looking. I didn’t get up from my desk the entire day, skipping lunch and forgoing bathroom breaks until I was 100% sure I wouldn’t be reported to HR.
This summer, I’m trying to avoid the same mistakes of my sweat-drenched past. Here are some of the best ways I’ve found to dress in the summer:
The trouble with summer fashion is the lack of layering opportunities. In the cooler months, you can throw on a chic jacket or a blazer, but such sartorial choices are an impossibility when it gets above 70º. Enter: the silk scarf.
One of the biggest issues in my wardrobe is the lack of work-appropriate dresses and skirts. I hate “work clothes.” So, instead of buying more, I just rotate through scarves, shoes, and hair clips to change things up.
Sometimes, you just need the perfect black skirt to carry your wardrobe. Honestly, the main inspo on this day was the need to have a waterproof shoe without wearing sneakers, and I think I delivered
The whole thing is better with different shoes, aka a perfect outfit for another day of work
It’s easy to forget that your hair is ALSO an accessory. I recently learned how to do a slick-back bun without looking greasy, and it’s opened up a whole world for me. A sleek hair style makes the act of wearing a t-shirt much more office-appropriate.
Enough about my hair. Back to the socks!
The main impetus behind my sock treasure hunt was to curate some fire shoe + sock combos. A well-placed sock is also pretty key for preventing blisters from popping up on my sweat-slicked feet. Win-win!
This outfit looks out of place, but HEAR ME OUT! My office is so cold. And on this particular day, it was only 77º. Long sleeves are only appropriate under such conditions if the garment is flowy (or pleated for optimized airflow). I stand by my choices
I’ll end with this: the dress that’s been carrying my summer wardrobe since my dad bought it for me in 2021. I always get compliments on this from strangers even though it’s 1) usually wrinkled and 2) I am not an autumn. And it has pockets!!
I’m curious: what’s your summer outfit formula (for work or otherwise)? As a reformed summer hater, I’ve never gotten past the “wear as little as possible and complain” stage, so this is all new for me.
To continue with the summer theme, next week I’ll be talking about my thoughts on brat summer and how I’m always late to the party on these moment-defining cultural epithets
XOXO,
Madeleine
Slick back routine in next issue please