Dear Hot Friends,

Ok we know...it's HOT! And I'm not just talking House of Terrance. Here in NYC we just had the longest stretch of 90-degree days in a decade! Even though we had a little break earlier this week, the heat and humidity have now returned with a vengeance. And we have almost 2 more months of summer to go. I'm sure by now you've read multiple articles about how to beat the heat but I'd still like to share my tips. You see, I know a thing or two about looking cool when it's hot. I spent many years living in Singapore in the 90s when it was in the upper 80s with an average humidity of 84% every damn day.

Here's this week's HOT 5:

1. You Can Be Stylish During A Heat Wave

2. Hot Picks For The Heat

3. Women Behind The Seams

4. My Forever Prez's Summer Lists

5. Fashion Shows Be Like

1. You Can Be Stylish During A Heat Wave

Perhaps these outfits are a little much for most people during a heatwave or at any time for that matter. However, lots of hot weather dressing tips can be gleaned from these Vogue street style photos taken at the recent fashion shows across Europe where temps reached into the triple digits. If you can get past the fashion with a capital F you'll see that many of the looks incorporate suggestions from my top 10 tips below. Here you go:

Stick with natural fabrics. Wear cotton, chambray, and lightweight linen and silk. Give a pass to synthetics that don't breathe.

Wear airy fabrics. Get some natural air-conditioning by wearing lace, mesh, eyelet, embroidery, and crochet. These are easy to find too as they're all extremely trendy this summer.

Stay away from clothing that clings. This is the time for billowy shapes that skim the body. Don't tuck anything in -- that extra fabric at your waist is too much when it feels like 100 degrees out!

Wear more skirts and dresses. They allow for air circulation making you cooler than pants or shorts will. Say no to jeans, but if you must wear them consider a pair made of chambray which looks like denim but is much lighter.

Choose light colors like white and pastels. You know that black fibers absorb more heat than lighter shades but If you do choose black, make sure it's sheer and practically weightless.

Wear your most minimal bras and panties. This is the time for your sheerest, laciest undergarments, those made from mesh are best. You decide how much skin to expose.

Keep your hair off your face. Now is the perfect time to experiment with headbands, scarves, headwraps, and turbans, all great options for keeping your hair back, neat and cool. Remember all headbands are 50% on the site through midnight tonight only!

Lighten up with accessories. Earrings are the best way to add some style to your outfits, especially if you're wearing your hair off your face for extra coolness. Here are some covetable ones to consider.

Give up your shoulder bag. Trade your large bag for a small lightweight bag that fits just the essentials. Use a small backpack, a crossbody, or fanny pack in a lightweight fabrication like nylon.

It's time for your barest of sandals! You'll feel cooler with shoes that are open like slides, strappy sandals, Birkenstocks and Tevas.

2. Hot Picks For The Heat

I found a plethora of cool products that help you beat the heat. Wish I had some of these when I lived in the world's most humid city (that's a fact!) 25 years ago. First up is this white gauze jumpsuit from Faherty which looks like you could live in it. Next is a novel idea, a tube for your neck that contains a frozen gel! My 3rd pick is a beautiful woven bamboo and leather fan which has been the answer for thousands of years. Next up is a portable battery-powered fan for when you want to bring the last idea into the 21st century. Remember blotting papers? This packet of soft leaflets made from natural abaca leaf and gold flakes lets you absorb excess oil without disturbing makeup. My last pick is a new product called Bust Dust from Megababe that women are raving about, it goes on with a non-aerosol pump and works its magic all day. Stay cool!

3. Women Behind The Seams

I really enjoyed this interactive virtual exhibition organized by the White House Historical Association. The show highlights the work of eight largely unknown female designers who shaped first lady fashion. 8 designers are presented including Elizabeth Keckley, who was born enslaved and became Mary Todd Lincoln’s dressmaker; Nettie Rosenstein, the designer of Mamie Eisenhower’s inaugural gowns in 1953 and 1957; Ann Lowe of Jackie Kennedy wedding dress fame; and Mary Matise, who created the 1977 inaugural gown of Rosalynn Carter. All of these designers had incredibly different backgrounds and styles that are fascinating to see.

4. My Forever Prez's Summer Lists

Ok I'll admit that for 4 of the darkest years in our presidential history I chose to pretend that Barack Obama was still in office :) I continue to miss his eloquence, obvious brilliance and curiosity about the world. I love learning what he's reading and listening to and eagerly await his famous summer lists. Here I give you his recently published reading list as well as his famous playlist for summer 2022. I'll be slowly making my way through both until next summer.

5. Fashion Shows Be Like

Have you seen the videos of the newest TikTok star who has amassed millions of followers with his witty and hilarious take on the fashion show? His name is Shaheel Sanil Prasad, a.k.a. Shaheel Shermont Flair, a former call center agent and part-time influencer from Suva City in central Fiji (Fiji!). He posted one of the funniest catwalk videos ever to hit social media. It's even funnier when you learn that he knows absolutely nothing about fashion. That may be true but he sure has the supermodel strut down. I've watched and shared his videos many times and I'm still laughing, enjoy!

HOT 5 - 7/31/22

HOT 5 - 8/20/22

HOT 5 - 7/15/22