How to dress for the heat, according to Europe's most fashionable

Telegraph

29-04-2025

Break out the factor 50 and stoke up the BBQ, a heatwave is upon us. Yet with the sunshine comes the annual existential crisis over our summer wardrobes – what on earth do you wear when it's just so damn hot outside? After all, the pieces we usually reserve for holidays on the Mediterranean – namely swimwear, crochet dresses and denim shorts – just don't feel very appropriate for the office or the city. Throw in air-conditioning and the Tube and it's a real head-scratcher.
To help us navigate this increasingly rare occurrence, we surveyed some of the most stylish women on the continent – a Greek fashion designer, Turkish fashion editor and Italian stylist – to find out how to look chic and stay comfortable in the heat. After all, with lives that regularly see them working in temperatures above 20 degrees, they are certainly best placed to know.
The cornerstone of a great summer look, first and foremost, is comfort – which means wearing something that won't leave you dripping in sweat. This is where your natural fabrics like cotton and linen come in – they are the MVPs of summer dressing for a reason. Yet our continental cousins know that not all of them are created equal.
'Linen, with its airy texture, keeps you cool and exudes a relaxed elegance,' shares Greek fashion designer Celia Kritharioti. 'I look specifically for cotton in fine weaves, because it is incredibly breathable and comfortable. Crêpe georgette, with its light and flowing nature, adds a touch of ethereal beauty too and will keep you cool.'
Vogue Turkey's fashion director, Ceylan Atınç, prefers weightier fabrics. 'I'm quite specific about texture,' she says. 'I love a crisp, structured cotton or a slubby, heavy linen that holds its shape.' For her, it's all about ensuring there's still sharpness to the silhouette.
That said, she's not averse to the charms of silk. 'I also wear a lot of silk – especially in the evenings – because it moves beautifully and doesn't cling. Breathability is everything, but I also care about how a fabric falls and how it makes you feel.' Kritharioti is also a fan of silk. 'Summer fashion should feel effortless,' she says. 'Nothing feels better next to skin than silk. It drapes beautifully and I love how it skims the body.'
For daytime, Kritharioti recommends something simple and elegant – which is where her beloved kaftans come in. 'A beautifully tailored, flowing silk kaftan is something easy to throw on,' says Kritharioti. 'Think vibrant hues and intricate embroidery, perfect for a leisurely lunch by the sea or a stroll through the charming streets of Ios, Portofino or Saint Tropez. The loose silhouette allows for breathability, and the silk feels divine against the skin.'
If you aren't a fan of floaty dresses, and think kaftans might be too beachy for your day, then fear not – your trusty trousers can also work in the heat, according to Italian stylist Ramona Tabita, whose clients include Italian popstar Elodie and model Mariacarla Boscono. 'I like to play with contrasts, even in summer,' she says. 'Pairing more tailored, masculine trousers with a simple tank top strikes a balance between structure and ease.'
Atınç also defaults to trousers and is inspired by Lauren Hutton and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. 'It's that mix of masculinity and ease,' she says. 'In the summer, I live in oversized cotton poplin shirts, tailored bermuda shorts, or relaxed linen trousers.'
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Her top tip is to play with shape by adding lightweight layers that don't make you warmer, such as a waistcoat. She also advises wearing pieces that let the body move and breathe. 'When it's really hot, I prefer looks that don't touch too much skin – I find it's actually cooler that way,' she says. 'It's all about balance: something airy, but never too bare.'
Of course, summer is the time when you can get away with being more bold with your choice of colour, which is unsurprisingly a staple of the Mediterranean wardrobe. 'I love colour and even more so during summer,' says Kritharioti. 'It makes me happy. I wear a lot of turquoise, reminiscent of crystal-clear waters, as well as green, orange, deep red and pink. Of course, it helps that these colours also compliment the summer tan.'
For Atınç, it's also an opportunity to be more playful with colour combinations too.
'I usually stay in a neutral palette – sand, cream, khaki, pale grey,' she shares. 'But I do enjoy playing with unexpected pairings, like chocolate brown with lemon or washed-out blue with olive, those are two of my favourites right now.'
Those who usually steer clear of prints can experiment more in the summer – and it doesn't need to just be florals. 'I don't wear a lot of prints, but if I do, they tend to be abstract or graphic, something that feels a bit offbeat,' says Atınç. 'And I love stripes in summer, always.'
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When it comes to your accessories, Kritharioti recommends stocking up on pieces from your travels, which you can break out during a heat wave at home to remind you of your last trip. 'There's so much joy in souvenir jewellery, things you can pick up in small shops in Santorini or Hydra or Ios, bracelets and necklaces that are filled with holiday memories,' she says. 'I especially love pieces adorned with turquoise and corals for summer, and I combine them with my everyday jewellery, like my Tiffany Hardware necklace.'
Last summer's must-have, the bandana, is top of Tabita's list for hardworking accessories – unsurprising when you consider Zoe Kravitz is her summer pin-up. 'They are so versatile,' she says. 'Whether I wear them on my head in a 2000s-style, or even as a top, they add that effortless, edgy vibe to my looks.'
And for evening? Skin wins ultimately – there's nothing better on a balmy night. 'An open-back dress feels elegant, airy, and perfect for warm summer nights,' says Tabita. 'It lets the skin breathe and creates a strong visual impact with minimal effort – my favourite way to feel both sophisticated and fresh.'