When It's Too Hot to Think, Here's What to Wear in 90-Degree Weather

There's hot, and then there's instantly sweat-inducing heat that makes going out even a chore. When the extreme temperatures roll in, the last thing you want to think about is what summer outfits to wear, especially when you're main objective is just trying to keep cool. But figuring out what to throw on amid 90-degree weather without compromising style for comfort is easier said than done. Fortunately, I've discovered the next best thing to wearing a bathing suit in public.

We looked to some of our favorite fashion figures to help you get through those days filled with warmth, sunshine, and unbearable levels of humidity. Whether it's a simple tank with a colorful button-down, a romantic sundress, or a pair of loose trousers and a cutout bodysuit, these outfits will help you stay cool and refreshed so you can go about your day without the discomfort of sticky pools of sweat. Check them out now and then shop the looks to make them your own.

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(Image credit: @moeblackx)

We called it a while ago about crochet: Your grandma's favorite hobby has become a certified go-to trend for fashion people this summer. It's an airier alternative to knits, so you're less likely to sweat when the sun's up.

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(Image credit: @meganadelaide)

We told you crochet mania is here to stay. One way to use your fashion to cleverly avoid uncomfortable sweating is to wear loose crochet or mesh bottoms. This ACNE Studios skirt can serve as a cover-up on the beach or as a look for a day out in the country. Finish it with a poplin shirt for a more urban vibe.

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(Image credit: @deborabrosa)

Loose pants are always a solid option for hot summer days when looking put-together is the main objective. While you don't have to put away your leggings just yet, it might be wise to swap them out since a wider cut will let your legs breathe. Play with menswear-inspired tailoring and prints (like pinstripe) for a classic approach.

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(Image credit: @annabelrosendahl)

Take advantage of your more breathable pieces and wear them out. A racerback tank paired with a colorful, oversize button-down shirt will look stylish without getting too stuffy.

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(Image credit: @thevisuelofgrace)

There's nothing a pair of tailored shorts with a classic tee or tank can't solve when the weather's hot. Keep it updated with a fashion-set favorite—the exaggerated-shoulder T-shirt—for an elevated take.

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This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Coming up, Hold On—All These Fashion Girls Are Wearing the Same Summer Accessory

Fashion Market Editor

Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. While going to school at Columbia University in New York City, she got her feet wet in the fashion industry interning at Elle magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and New York magazine's The Cut. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. There, she worked on a multitude of projects, including styling inbook feature stories for New York magazine's print issue, writing and pitching market stories for The Cut, and serving as fashion lead for The Cut's branded content. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter. Now she is a fashion market editor for Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her duties as a fashion market editor, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times. But once the computer goes down and the emails turn off, she's likely eating her way through Koreatown, hunting down vintage furniture, scoping out new outrageous nail designs to try, or taking a hot cycling class.