Let’s face it.  July means that it is HOT everywhere.  The Northeast is wilting under a heat wave.  Here in suburban Orlando, you can’t even walk to your mailbox without sweating.  So how can a petite woman keep cool in July and August and still look stylish?

The obvious answer is to wear the least amount of clothing possible.  Bare arms, bare shoulders, bare legs, exposed toes.  Wear sundresses, strapless or one-shoulder tops and dresses, halters, tanks, shorts, minis, flip-flops, and sandals wherever, whenever you can. 

Another simple petite fashion solution is to stay cooler by wearing fabrics that breathe.  Exactly what does that mean?  How can a fabric breathe?  

To explain, let’s take a look at the two types of fibers used to make petite clothing, natural fibers and synthetic fibers.  Think of a fiber as a piece of thread that is woven together to create fabric.  Natural fibers originate from plants or animals.  Synthetic fibers are created from man-made chemicals.  Natural fibers breathe due to a looser weave.  Synthetic fibers don’t.  Synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and rayon don’t absorb moisture.  It gets trapped between the fibers causing your body temperature to rise.  On the other hand, natural fibers like cotton, linen, and silk make the best choices for a summer wardrobe because they absorb moisture, offering you a natural source of air conditioning.

Featured: Banana Republic blue silk dress $110.00