Hot, Hot, Hot

We’re baking, frying, panting, sweating, dripping.  Moving more slowly, loathe to leave cool comfortable cars and cribs.  Cocooning in the air conditioning.  Idling with iced drinks.

On a two- or three-shower day why would anyone drape their bodies with anything that isn’t absolutely necessary?  Young fashion victims are stomping around town in calf-high Frye engineer or Tony Lama cowboy boots and barely there lace sundresses.  You cannot convince me that their sweaty little feet and ankles prefer that style in this satanic heat.  House plants will wilt when they take off those bad boys.

Leggings under dresses?  It’s a great look that I often sport on casual days but it looks downright dumb on a 100 degree afternoon.  It’s one more article of clothing that I don’t want sticking to me.  I don’t want to feel like a picnic leftover swaddled in Saran Wrap.

I’m equally puzzled over the head wrap under the wide brimmed hat.  The head wrap is a great look, a head turning statement for individuality.  The wide brimmed hat is a perfect way to keep harmful UV rays off your beautiful face.  It can be very Audrey@Tiffany’s.  I’ve seen a few fashionistas rock the hat with a fabulous faux jeweled hat pin.  Glamour!  But I don’t get the combination of the two on a sweltering day.  How hot do you want to be?  Just how bad is your bad hair day?

Which leads me to one of my favorite rants--the weave!  Come on sistas!  Give it a rest!  Rows and rows of extra hair sewn in or glued to your existing hair--how hot are those extra layers?  How much more does your head weigh?  Can you take a cooling dip in the pool or are you afraid of dunking your ‘do?  Think about taking a break for the summer.  Liberate yourself!  Remember how carefree you were as a kid in the summertime with your hair pulled back in plaits, cornrows or afro puffs?  You’ll be surprised at how good natural hair can look and feel even now. 

Right now the imperative is to look and feel cool.  Strip it down to the basics--lacy lingerie, cool little dresses (you can find plenty of adorable sundresses on sale right now as the stores clear out summer wear in preparation for Fall), and strappy sandals.

This heat wave will pass.  Before you know it, you’ll be shoveling the walkway and grumbling about the latest arctic blast.  Remember, as hot as it is right now, you can remain chic and graceful.  Just leave the boots in the back of the closet until September.