Have you ever blow dried your hair in a freshly preheated oven? No? Well, come over to beautiful Las Vegas on sunny July day at 2pm.
How do you dress for sweltering dry heat? As a Las Vegas resident of 8 years and a Central Florida native, I can tell you dressing for dry heat is much easier. Sticky swamp air is never a factor when dressing for a desert summer. So, here are my personal guidelines for dressing for a dry, summer day:
Natural fabrics
Natural fabrics have become a staple in my wardrobe for year round but it’s especially important in the summer. Cotton and silk are my favorite fabrics for a a hot night out or a walk at sunset. Light, Jersey cottons are perfect for long sleeved button ups that are breezy and protect your skin from the harsh southern Nevada sun. Linen is also great but as a lover of convenience, be wary of wrinkles. Loose cotton shorts, a tank top, and a white, oversized button down are staple pieces for a timeless outfit.
Jewelry
It’s hard to layer and accessorize when it’s hot. It’s a perfect time of year to layer on the jewelry! Layer necklaces, stack chunky rings, and strap on the ankle bracelets to elevate your mini skirt and crop top combo.
You can still wear black!
Black is my default color, it looks so good I’ll still wear an all-black outfit the summer time. That’s my prerogative. If it’s really hot, you can always pair your black with lighter colors over top (a button up, if you haven’t picked on it already). A light cardigan will also do, especially when it gets cooler at night. If you love neutrals, nothing looks better than black and white (spice it up with grey, if you’d like).
Skirts!
Long skirts, short skirts, midi skirts, jean skirts. Get that breeze in between and breathe. I love a good skirt in the summer. Stick to natural fabrics and try loose silhouettes so your sweat doesn’t stick your clothes to your skin like stink on an armpit (literally). The white tiered maxi skirt is a huge trend for summer 2024 for a reason.
Deodorant (everywhere)
You can rip the aluminum from my cold, dead hands. This may be an obvious one for your armpits, BUT other places can carry odors as well. I put deodorant on my inner thighs to alleviate those… scents.
Use your swimwear
You don’t need to be at the pool or the beach to wear your swimwear. If you like raves, bikinis can double up as rave pieces. Bikini tops can be incorporated into an everyday outfit. I use my favorite bikini top as a layering piece under mesh or see-through pieces. They can also be used in place of a bra, as the material can be quite forgiving on sweaty skin.
Stay inside and be nocturnal
The best way to really wear your favorite outfits? Just stay inside. Look for indoor activities during the day and only go outside after 8pm. Stick to this schedule and you can wear whatever you want, all summer long. Luckily, Las Vegas has plenty of indoor activities to stunt your best fit.
Overall, my best advice is to stay as cool and as comfortable as possible. Comfort is subjective so find what’s best for you, whether it’s a bikini top and micro mini skirt or an oversized t-shirt and shorts (or both).
Comments