Yes, my summer wardrobe is also all black, and no I don’t feel like a hot, sweaty mess because of it. How I manage to cope whilst stubbornly sticking to wearing black in the summer is probably the most common question I get asked, by everyone from you readers to friends and family. And sometimes even the odd passerby in the street on a hot day! I’ve lost count of how many times people have urged me to “dress more summery”, or told me I must be “so hot” in a floaty summer dress simply because it’s black.
As I was looking through the blog’s archives a little while ago, I realised that over the last 9 (yes, nine!) years I’ve documented a tonne of all black summer outfits. So I thought it seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally prove my point – that wearing black in the summer is beautiful, and getting that summer goth vibe isn’t going to leave you melting.
These are just a few of my favourite looks, but there’s also plenty more in the archives if you’re looking for more inspiration. Each photo links through to the full post, where you’ll find alternative angles and full details on what I’m wearing.
Click the photos to go to the full blog post featuring each outfit
How to wear all black in the summer
You already know how I feel, but apparently it’s also a total myth that wearing black clothes makes you hotter. In fact, according to science, black might actually help to keep you cooler in the heat!
I honestly can’t say I’ve ever felt like the colour of my clothing has made any real difference (either way) to how comfortable I was in the heat of summer. However, I do still have a few rules that I like to stick to when it comes to summer dressing. Maybe these help to make all black feel cooler, maybe they don’t. But either way, I think they’re generally good rules to follow, and they’ll help you keep cool in the heat whatever colour you choose to wear.
1. Stick to breathable fabrics
Viscose, cotton, linen and other natural fibers are all your friends. These materials are breathable, quick drying and comfortable. Fabrics that are a blend of natural and synthetic fibers can also be a good choice, but look for pieces that have a lower percentage of synthetic fibers. The higher the synthetic content, the less breathable your clothes will be and the more chance you’ll have of feeling sweaty and sticky.
2. Keep it loose
Loose cuts and floaty silhouettes are best. These styles allow air to circulate between your body and your clothing, helping to keep you cool and fresh. I also think they just look a lot more summery too.
3. Simple layering
Layers have always been my secret weapon for keeping all black interesting, and as a Brit they’re also super practical for our ever changing weather too. I use this trick in the summer all of the time, but just in a more paired back fashion. Stick to sheer, lightweight fabrics and don’t throw too much on, as lots of thin layers will trap the heat and make you hotter.
4. Add a hat
A big hat is the perfect finishing touch to a summer outfit, and the extra shade is a great way to keep cool too. I like to throw one of mine on whenever I feel like my outfit is a bit more basic, as I think it’s a really quick and easy way to make things look a little more interesting and put together.
5. Tights
I know this sounds crazy, but sheer tights can actually be great at keeping your legs cool on a hot day. My personal favourites are the versions that are heat-regulating, and I have a whole drawer of the ones from M&S. Somehow these tights are able to magically keep your legs warm on cold days, and cool on hot days. And they really do work!
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