Dear Daddy Likey: What To Wear When It's Hot

I've received a number of emails in the past couple months from readers wanting some tips on how to dress in hot weather. It's slightly hard for me to relate right now, since Oregon has been having an almost eerily chilly summer, and I've mentioned before that my go-to hot weather outfit is a rumpled tanktop, jean shorts, and a lot of whining.

Even so, for you, dear readers, I'm happy to offer my top 3 tips for looking cool when it's hot (have you ever heard that clever little turn-of-phrase before? In every single fashion magazine's summer issue? Oh. Damn.).

Focus on the Fabric

Probably the easiest thing you can do to stay cool in your clothes is to choose pieces made of breathable, natural fabrics. I know this is much easier said than done (I usually buy things solely because they're pretty, only to get them home and realize they're a poly/steel wool blend), but it makes a world of difference. My friend Rachel has always been really good about choosing comfy, natural fabric clothes, and now she's a successful artist in the superhot city of LA. Coincidence? No way.

Think cotton tees and dresses, and breezy silky skirts:

The Fade Away Tee, Alternative Apparel, $30
(Gap also has a similar style in a bunch of colors for a bit less cheddah)

The Tess Dress, Modcloth, $30

Silk/cotton blend skirt, Forever 21, $17.80

Cut Off Your Pants

I'm so excited that cutoffs are so on trend right now, because if I was going to sing a personalized version of "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things," it would go like this:

Ice cream with sprinkles and Jet Li fight scenes
and constantly cutting up all of my jeans
into cute cutoffs with frayed hanging strings
These are a few of my favorite things!

Yes, cutoffs rank among kung fu movies and colorful frozen treats as my top life obsessions. When it gets warm I end up cutting every single one of my long pants into shorts, which is foolish, but I definitely recommend a less extreme approach to these DIY summer staples.

And please do Do It Yourself--designers are offering frayed cutoffs at all different price points right now, but it's so much better (and cheaper) to grab a pair of old pants or hit the denim racks at Goodwill and then cut them off yourself. This allows you to choose the most flattering length of short for you, from supershort to knee-length, and brag incessantly afterward that you made them. Lately I've been stealing worn out jeans from my brother and rockin' the baggy man shorts look. It's really comfy and perfect for hot weather.

Simplify (a little)

As much as I love the warm weather look of shorts and a tanktop and a vest and 30 necklaces and a stack of bangles and a thick headband and some slouchy boots, by the time you've finished putting on all those accessories, you might as well have climbed into an oven. On really hot days, go for simple combinations like a jersey dress and braided belt, or a pretty, flowy top and some cutoffs, or a floral skirt and a plain tanktop. This girl's got the idea:

Look how excited she is! Woohoo!

Orlee Knit Dress, $34.50, Delias

And for some great hot weather makeup tips, check out this post from Apocalypstick Now.