BEAT THE HEAT: Stylists' Personal Style Tips
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Helmut Newton
PIA MALATESTA:
New York & Miami
"I usually wear a lot of black most of the year, so when summer rolls around, I totally change it up to lots of white. Every summer, I try to invest in new white pieces to keep my wardrobe looking fresh. An all white outfit can be very chic and helps keep you cool. Wash your whites using white vinegar in the washing machine to maintain nice bright whites.
Summer also means lots of time under the sun out on location and by the ocean. That being said, sunblock is uber important to me. My favorite of the moment is Elta’s MD UV Physical SPF 41. It’s lightly tinted perfection provides great coverage, and helps keep my skin even, smooth and soft! Lastly, I top off my looks with a Panama hat with black ribbon detail, and my canary yellow Celine trio bag."
PIA MALATESTA: www.pia-malatesta.com
LIZ TEICH:
Brooklyn
"I often keep a floppy hat, sunblock, and an umbrella in my kit for outdoor locations. I'm quite fair, burn easily and Melanoma runs in the family, so I'm constantly applying sunblock and urging the crew to apply as well.
Recently, on an athletic shoot outside on a cloudy day I missed a spot on my neck with the sunblock, so I still burned pretty badly. Normally, I usually wear my floppy hat for outdoor shoots to protect my face and neck. I have a great crushable one I scored on sale at Urban Outfitters, though I used to have one designated just for my kit. I probably paid $15 at TJMaxx for it (It mysteriously walked off from a shoot since).
Most importantly, I dress in layers for all of my shoots. I never know what the temperature is going to be from morning to night, if the a/c will be blasting or not working at all. I basically dress for all seasons while I'm working and may look like I have a different outfit on at different points of the day! I tend to travel with scarves because they're easy to wrap around when you get cold and stuff in a bag when you get warm. They're great to also wrap around a model for quick wardrobe changes, though I prefer to use a pop-up changing tent while on outdoor location (this is the one I use)."
LIZ TEICH:
ALISA FREDERICO:
Philadelphia
"While shooting outside in extreme heat, I love to mix performance-based clothing pieces into my outfit. Athletic wear is so on-trend with tons of great options. An outfit example of mine might be a poly-based breezy dolphin short over a black one piece bathing suit and a white drop-arm tank knotted up at the side with comfy, strappy sandals. Top it off with a moisture-wicking baseball cap and a bottle of Evian Spray mist on hand and you are sure to stay as cool as you can while shooting.
Personally, when I am out and about in the summer, I love sporting minimal looks that feel effortless but are super comfortable and still totally chic. Pop it with a bright lip and a messy ponytail!"
Photo by Naila Ruechel
NAILA RUECHEL:
New York City
"Summer is my time to be casual, travel, and spend a lot of time in the great outdoors. My number one advice for staying cool is staying FIT! I think exercise, stretching, good nutrition and staying hydrated are key to surviving summer’s brutally hot days. Lethargy is the enemy. Exercise is the very best way to keep my energy up. I run through the woods near my house and do strength training as well; while eating a protein rich diet with lots of salads and drinking plenty of water!
Fitness aside, fun hats and visors are must have accessories. Spray mists to keep you face cool and hydrated are really handy too. There are many options at the local apothecary, but I like to make my own with a variety of essential oils mixed in. I experiment with rose, geranium, lemon, peppermint, and eucalyptus.
I was recently in Paris and all the boutiques lining the streets of my neighborhood, Saint Germain des Prés, were filled with gorgeous white cotton blouses and dresses. The French women glided around the streets in outfits that seemed to flow behind them in the gentle breeze. They rode bikes in high heels or walked around in strappy leather sandals with effortless grace and elegance. It was a heavenly."
NAILA RUECHEL: http://www.nailaruechel.com
Photo by Elysha Lenkin
ELYSHA LENKIN:
New York City
There’s another heat wave hitting NYC so while summer’s end is in sight, the hot and hazy days of the season aren’t quite ready to quit.
If you’re lucky enough to be working in a studio chilling under an AC, then cheers to you. But if you’re sweating it out on location, you’ll want to take matters into your own hands and handle the heat with precision.
Check out these 4 ways to keep cool while working under the blazing sun.
1. Wear White
It’s not fiction- white really is a sun deflector. And though many in our industry dress in black for its uniform-like simplicity, the dark hue is actually the worst shade to wear because of its heat absorbing quality. Wearing all white would be your best option, but if that’s not do-able, consider choosing a lighter palette overall.
2. Put A Hat On It
Just as in winter, when the head is the first place to lose heat, in summer it’s the opposite. By blocking the sun from a hat, you’ll not only ensure protection for your hair and scalp, you’re creating shade for your face which is an automatic cool down for your entire body. When choosing your summer hat, think light, airy, and with a big-enough brim to cover you up.
3. Dress Smart
Now that workout wear has become so street appropriate, there are plenty of ways to work-in a high performance fabric that’ll wick the sweat away from your outfit. If Coolmax isn’t your thing, then cotton is the next best choice. Keep the cut of your clothing loose. And stay away from silk, the first fabric to reveal a sweaty situation happening underneath.
4. Stay Hydrated
When it is crazy hot outside, drinking water is a must. Keep a bottle nearby, and make sure to constantly sip from it no matter how busy your day gets. Though there is some controversy around the old adage of downing 8 glasses of water a day, when the weather soars into the 90s, you’ll want to drink at least that much.
ELYSHA LENKIN: http://elyshalenkin.com
