Dressing in hot weather is difficult.
Dressing in a heatwave is impossible.
Body temperatures soaring and style stifled. How to translate any fashion prowess when ideally all clothing should be abandoned at the first haze of a heatwave? Everything feels tight, restrictive, a suffocation of expression. This being my recent reality during a city break in the beautiful, though swelteringly oppressive, Barcelona.
Perspiration everywhere, elbows included. Heatwave induced headiness. Underwear too much. Those around, clearly more astute to the wonts of dressing for extreme conditions, donned sports bras (breathable and adept at wicking away sweat) and wisp thin lingerie (the delicacy being barely-there about the skin).
Spaghetti strapped tops, low backed, cowl necked camisoles. Skin exposure at an optimum - being chic as opposed to gauche - glistening skin an inevitability of soaring temperatures. Loose fit palazzo pants, skimming the body with fluidity - figure flattering being nonsensical under the scrutiny of the sun's rays. Sandals being the obvious pairing to a heatwave, however, being dwarfed by high-rise buildings and in amongst the city's hustle and bustle, trainers are the run-around shoe of choice. Comfort trumping ventilation.
Exposed legs beating the pavement in a flurry of shorts, from denim to slinky silk. Floaty, ethereal dresses, skirting about the ankles, wrap-over in style, featuring heavily amongst the hubbub of city life. The fabrics light, airy and patterned, maxi dresses of summer proportions to combat the oppressive heat. Accessories redundant; wrists and fingers bare to avoid necessitating surgical removal. The only accoutrement bearable under scrupulous heat being that of a handbag the likes of which Polly Pocket in size. The crowds of Barcelona encouraging thievery, resulting in an influx of combative teeny tiny bags hung about the body, pickpocket proof and sublimely chic.
The lesson endeth with a new appreciation for the pared-back. It would seem that less is most definitely less. Though layering affords more material real-estate for expression, in extreme heat, the visual verbalisation of style is forfeited for the right to not overheat. Though practicality typically snuffs out ones' ability to freely display personal style, in the instance of intense heat, looking stylish is typified by remaining perspiration-free, as opposed to peacocking in current trends and fashion prowess. Tactful exposure is the literal means of dressing cool in amidst the heatwave tizz and with a good dousing of sunblock, I can't think of anything better - or breezier.
(Photos via : Pinterest)
No comments:
Post a Comment