How To Wear Black In The Summer | Fashion Advice | Wardrobe Oxygen (2024)

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How To Wear Black In The Summer | Fashion Advice | Wardrobe Oxygen (1)

Being Comfortable When You Wear Black in the Summer:

Many of you have shared with me that you are uncomfortable when you wear black in the summer. A dark color usually connected to the colder months, black clothing can seem hot and heavy when the temps rise. I’m a fan of the color black all year round, and regularly wear it in summer. Some advice on how to wear black in the summer without looking out of season or being uncomfortable:

How To Wear Black In The Summer | Fashion Advice | Wardrobe Oxygen (2)Pairing a black sundress with a straw bag and cork wedge sandals.
See the whole look at this link. Shop similar: dress | bag | sunglasses | shoes

More Black, Less Fabric

Black absorbs the sun, so it can make you warmer even faster. I find the best way to wear black in the summer is keep it for the smaller pieces in your wardrobe. Camisoles and tanks, shorts that are 5” or shorter, sleeveless dresses that are around the knee. A black maxi dress, capri pants, or lightweight jacket may seem practical but they scream cooler months (and may make you scream with how hot you will feel in it!).

Balance Black with a Lighter Color

My favorite color pairing for summer is black with tan. Pair a black sundress with tan or nude-to-you sandals, a tan straw hat or bag, tan or light brown leather belt or purse. Tan is a summer color, and it lightens the feeling of black while still keeping the look polished.

Black also looks very smart with white. A black top with white shorts or jeans and nude-to-you shoes, a black cami topped with a white blazer, a black shirtdress with a white belt. The look is clean and crisp, and the white makes the combination definitely summery.

I recommend with a black and white outfit to try to have the white be the primary color (white pants with a black tank, white skirt with a black blouse). If the primary color is black, choose a summer fabric (cotton, linen, eyelet) and be sure the shoes are summery (open toe, sandal, etc.) so the look is seasonally appropriate.

How To Wear Black In The Summer | Fashion Advice | Wardrobe Oxygen (3)Pair black with a pair of low-profile trendy sneakers in a light color.
See the whole look at this link. Shop similar: jacket | dress | sunglasses | sneakers

Keep Black on Top

Black pants and skirts scream fall and winter. Consider black tops with bottoms in light neutrals (tan, khaki, white, cream, chambray, olive) or watercolor brights (yellow, turquoise, orchid, candy pink, Kelly green) to give a summery feel. Again, if the largest part of the look is the summery color, the black will look seasonally appropriate.

Steer Clear of [Most] Black Shoes

Unless they’re delicate, I don’t recommend black shoes in summer. The effect is very heavy and even if it’s a pair of sandals, the look can skew fall. I highly recommend a tan or nude-to-you color of sandal, which elongates the leg and goes with most everything. For dressy occasions, switch out your black heels for a pair in a metallic. This tip is extra important when wearing a black outfit as a black shoe can make the entire look very heavy and wintry.

How To Wear Black In The Summer | Fashion Advice | Wardrobe Oxygen (4)A pair of nude-to-you sandals will summer-ize black dresses, shorts, and cropped pants.
See the whole look at this link. Shop similar: hat | dress | sunglasses | tote | sandals

Choose Lightweight Fabrics

While white jeans will look summery, black jeans scream winter. Same fabric, but the color makes a major difference. When wearing black in the summer, try to stick to lighter-weight fabrics that will balance the darker color. Linen, cotton, voile, gauze, and silk all catch summer breezes and give a summery vibe even in a dark color.

How To Wear Black In The Summer | Fashion Advice | Wardrobe Oxygen (5)

How To Wear Black In The Summer | Fashion Advice | Wardrobe Oxygen (2024)

FAQs

Is it OK to wear black in the summer? ›

Wearing Black in the Summer - is it okay? Let me start by saying, without hesitation, that the answer is a resolute YES! You can absolutely wear black any time of the year, including summer.

Why we are advised not to wear black clothes in summer? ›

Wearing black clothes in summer is not preferable as during summer there is more heat present in the atmosphere and black clothes absorb more heat comparatively. So, black clothes are not preferable during summer.

How can I wear black without getting hot? ›

Lightweight and breezy materials

The easiest way to wear black on a warm summer day: choose lightweight and breezy materials. A black linen, cotton, silk or chiffon style feels more comfortable with warm weather than black denim for instance, and also looks chic.

Why wearing black is good in summer? ›

Stay Cool Working in the Heat with Sun Protective Clothing

Black indeed absorbs more heat than white, and specific colors reflect sunlight better than others.

Is it better to wear black on a hot day? ›

Light colored clothing reflects most of the visible wavelengths which, in turn, absorbs less heat. On the contrary, darker or black clothing absorbs more wavelengths, absorbing more heat, hence making the clothing warmer to wear.

Is it better to wear black or white in hot weather? ›

Black does absorb heat from the sun at a faster pace than white, but black also absorbs the heat from your body as well. Throw a little wind into the mix and black is the better choice for wicking away the heat away from your core.

What colors should you avoid in summer? ›

Colours to Avoid

Warm, saturated colours, such as bright yellow, and earthy colours with yellow undertones will clash with your natural coolness. Similarly, dark and harsh colours, such as dark purple, black and white, will overpower your soft appearance.

Why do people in hot countries wear black? ›

Abstract : The amount of heat gained by a Bedouin exposed to desert heat is the same whether he or she wears a black robe or a white one. The additional heat absorbed by the black robe is lost before it reaches the skin and drives convection under the black robe, making it more comfortable than a white robe.

When should you not wear black? ›

Indians generally prefer to avoid black during any auspicious occassion such as a Pooja or any festivals. Generally it is presumed that wearing the colour black reflects sadness and you are not supposed to be sad on these days.

Can you wear all black in the sun? ›

When we engage in outdoor activities, it may seem counterintuitive to wear black. The colour makes us hotter than we already feel and, really, who wants to sweat more? This is especially true in the scorching summer months, but black really is the best colour to wear in the sun if you want to protect your skin.

What is the best color to wear in the sun? ›

The Cancer Council in Australia suggests that darker colors absorb UV rays, which helps block them from your skin. That's why dark blue, black, and dark red are the best colors for sun protection compared to white or pastel colors of the same fabric.

What is the best color to wear in hot weather? ›

White, yellow, grey, and red

It is commonly said that white is the most appropriate colour for summer temperatures because it keeps the body cool, unlike black which tends to absorb heat.

Does black get hotter than white? ›

Black absorbs all visible parts of the spectrum, turning that light energy into heat. The more energy it absorbs, the more heat it emits. White and silver, however, behave in the opposite manner, reflecting all light thrown their way. The result here is less energy absorption and less heat emission.

Why do people prefer to wear white clothes in summer? ›

We wear light or white coloured clothes in summer because light colour reflect sunlight as well as heat so our body is free from heated up . But in winter we wear dark coloured clothes because dark colour absorb sunlight as well as heat . so our body remains in warm up condition.

Does black skin absorb more heat? ›

Yes. Unfortunately, darker skins may absorb more infrared (IR) radiation and this can increase the heat responses in the skin. New scientific research shows one third of infrared radiation can penetrate the deepest layers of the skin and may increase the risk of pigmentation and even cancer.

Do long sleeves keep you cooler? ›

Flowing, long-sleeve shirts can keep you cooler than short-sleeve tops or tanks because they shield more skin from the sun. When it comes to running shorts, choose longer, loose-fitting styles, which protect more of your legs from the sun and also help keep you cooler by offering more ventilation.

Is it better to wear shorts or pants in the heat? ›

While it is important to look your stylish best in the heat – protection from the sun's harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays should be a priority. Clothing is the most basic form of protection against the sun. The more skin covered – the better. Long pants cover better than shorts.

What should I wear in 90 degree weather? ›

Choose light colors: Wearing light colors that reflect the sun's rays rather than absorb them (as dark colors can) helps keep you cool. Look for shirts, shorts, pants and hats in white, tan or khaki.

What color stays the coolest in the sun? ›

White, silver, and other light colors are coolest, reflecting about 60 percent of sunlight but there are dark "cool" colors that can also stay cooler than traditional dark colors.

What is the coolest clothing to wear in hot weather? ›

A natural fibre, cotton is one of the best fabrics for hot weather. It's breathable, lightweight, and more cooling to wear than clothing made from synthetic materials. Having a few cotton pieces in your wardrobe is key – the best styles are staples such as short-sleeved shirts, loose summer tops, and floaty sundresses.

Can soft summers wear black? ›

Can Soft Summers wear black? Black is not included in the Soft Summer color palette, as it would be too harsh for your appearance as you have a muted appearance rather than a high contrast level. Therefore, Soft Summer color palette shades are typically softer.

What is the best color for true summer? ›

As a True Summer, you look great in dark grey, dark green, soft white (such as seashell), light blue grey and darker blue colours. These classic colours are also easy to mix and match, so you can create endless looks with just a few pieces.

What color is best not to get hot? ›

1. Wear White. A white object is white because it reflects white light, and white light is a combination of all the visible colors. This means that a white shirt (or pants) will reflect most of the light and not get hot.

Why do people wear black so much? ›

When selecting clothing items to wear, many individuals gravitate toward black. Often, black is perceived as a sleek and flattering color that not only minimizes the effort involved in selecting outfits, but, also minimizes the perception of the mass of the body.

Is it better to wear black or white in the desert? ›

The results were clear. As the report puts it: "The amount of heat gained by a Bedouin exposed to the hot desert is the same whether he wears a black or a white robe. The additional heat absorbed by the black robe was lost before it reached the skin."

Why do Muslims wear black in the heat? ›

Black color is very good absorber of heat, but is is also the best radiator of heat. So black color cools down faster than any other color clothes.

Is it OK to wear a black dress to a summer wedding? ›

Yes, you can wear a black dress or suit to a summer or beach wedding if you want—but if you'll be spending time outside, black might make you feel too hot and uncomfortable in the heat. Alternatively, you could wear all black to a formal winter wedding if you think it would fit the venue and the theme.

Can I wear black in June? ›

Black Clothing is the Key to Effortless Chic

But many wonder, can you wear black to a summer wedding? Is a black dress appropriate for a summer wedding? Our resounding answer is yes! When you style black right, you certainly can!

How soft summer can wear black? ›

True black, which is a Winter colour, is very dark and therefore not flattering on a Soft Summer. Black near your face will make you look aged and unhealthy. The closest you have to black are greyish dark browns, which are gentler and more muted. These are your dark neutrals.

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