What To Wear In Hot Humid Weather – 11 Outfits To Look Stylish but Stay Cool

Do you live or travel someplace where heat and humidity combine to make an almost unbearable stickiness? When the sun is blazing and the air feels thick, it can be a real challenge to stay comfortable while also looking chic. Erin lives in Colorado where there’s usually not a ton of humidity, but she’s visited plenty of places where humidity was almost insufferable. Most of us know the feeling of stickiness and discomfort, but the good news is that the right outfits can make a world of difference. Today, we’re sharing 11 chic outfits that not only help you beat the heat but also keep you looking effortlessly stylish in those hot and humid temps!

MOST of these looks are casual, daytime outfits. If you’re looking for summer night out outfit ideas, check out this post!

What To Wear In Hot Humid Weather

Activewear Dress

If you live somewhere that has super hot weather with high humidity, an activewear dress is a must-have to stay cool! Erin took this dress on her trip to Vietnam and shared that she was so happy to have it because of how hot and humid Hanoi was. It’s loose fitting, has quick dry fabric, and it wicks moisture. Wearing moisture-wicking fabrics is a must for hot climates.  This dress has a super flattering fit and the length is really nice if you don’t like to show your legs. Erin styled it with a pair of sandals and a crossbody to keep it casual but you could easily style this with different accessories to change up the look. Try it with sneakers and a baseball cap (for added UV protection) for running errands or a quick coffee run.

You can find more of Erin’s outfits from her trip to Vietnam here.

English Factory Terry Cloth Dress

In this look, Erin’s wearing a cute romper by English Factory that’s made of a terry cloth material that absorbs moisture but also keeps you fairly cool. Erin did share that this romper is thicker so it’s not great for super hot weather. We love that this romper looks like an elevated blazer dress but the fabric makes it more casual. Erin wore this during a trip to Rome this summer and felt super comfy and cool, even though it was pretty hot outside! She styled it with a pair of flats but if you’re worried about keeping your body temperate down, consider wearing open-toe shoes or sandals instead. You could wear this romper to lunch, running errands, a coffee date, etc.

Need Italy packing ideas? Check out all of Erin’s Italy outfits here.

Cotton Matching Set

If you’re looking for a super casual option to throw on to run a few errands, Erin loves these Travis Matthew pieces for summer. This all-white, retro-inspired, super soft cotton terry cloth set is breathable, lightweight, and will absorb moisture. Let’s start with the shorts…they are high-rise and a great length. They have pockets (yay!) and a drawstring waist. The top has a great-length kimono sleeve, flattering v-neck, and sporty/cool Johnny collar. SO chic yet it doesn’t get any easier than this! And…you can use code ERIN25 for 25% off your full-price women’s purchase! She styled the set with a pair of slip-on sandals and a tote.

Denim Shorts & Tee

You can never go wrong with a pair of denim shorts and an elevated tee. The key to staying cool in a pair of denim shorts and a tee is to make sure they are loose-fitting and/or body-skimming. The denim shorts Erin’s wearing have a baggy, loose fit so they don’t cling to the skin and feel uncomfortable. Same thing with the tee…it’s body-skimming, so it doesn’t touch Erin’s skin. Plus, the flutter sleeves allow for plenty of ventilation. Style your denim shorts and tee with sandals, sneakers, heels, or whatever you prefer. You can really dress this look up or down with some accessory swaps!

Quince Button-Down Shirt & Denim Shorts

If you want to elevate your denim shorts a bit, consider throwing on a white button-down instead of a tee. This white button-down by Quince is 100% organic cotton so it’s super lightweight, breathable, and comfortable. If you’re worried about sun protection, the longer sleeves will keep your arms covered and protect your skin, and the loose fit means it won’t cling to you. Erin styled the shirt with some Moussy denim shorts and a pair of sandals for a simple, casual, and cool summer outfit.

A quick note on dark colors versus light colors for summer…Despite the popular belief that choosing light colors is cooler in warm weather, it doesn’t matter if you wear light or dark. According to scientists, white tends to reflect body heat back to the body while black will absorb it. So, wear either!

Breathable Button-Down & Pants

We know that many of you don’t love to show off your legs during the summer…so this outfit is for you! This is another look Erin wore in Hanoi, Vietnam for a full day of sightseeing in the hot, humid weather. But you could easily wear this to run errands, to lunch, or to grab coffee. Erin’s wearing ivory trouser pants by Reiss that have a drawstring waist, roomier legs, and breathable fabric. Erin bought them in petite and they’re perfect on her. She styled the tapered pants with a white button-down shirt by Frank and Eileen and a ribbed Splendid tank. She likes wearing a tank under her long-sleeved tops during the summer so she can take off the button-down if she gets hot…it’s always nice to have options!

White Eyelet Dress

There’s nothing better than a crisp white eyelet dress on a hot day with humid weather! It’s a simple one-and-done piece that you really can’t go wrong with. This cute mini dress doubles as a dress and coverup, making it perfect for a a humid beach vacation, lunch, dinner, etc. It’s 100% cotton, so it’s super lightweight and breathable. We love the eyelet fabric, scalloped hem, one-shoulder neckline, and subtle puff sleeve. Style it with sneakers, heels, or sandals this summer.

Looking for more stylish summer dresses? Check out this post next for some great inspiration!

Farm Rio Printed Dress

This Farm Rio mini dress is 100% cotton so it’s super light and airy. Choosing fabrics like cotton and linen (versus polyester, merino wool, etc.) is ideal for hot and humid weather. The dress has long sleeves with smocked cuffs, a keyhole self-tie neck with beaded ends, and an adjustable drawstring waist. You can throw on this dress for just about any occasion this summer. Running around during the day, for vacation, as a coverup, out to dinner with heels or sandals…see what we mean?

Blue Printed Farm Rio Set

The next three options are a little dressier so you have some more dinner outfits for hot and humid weather. First up is a set by Farm Rio in this gorgeous blue print. The top is a cotton blend but it’s body-skimming and very lightweight. The shorts are 100% linen so they’re incredibly breathable (just know, there will be wrinkles). Erin wore this in Vietnam for dinner one night and was very comfortable. Style it with wedges or heels for dinner or sneakers or flats for a more casual look.

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Staud Wells Dresses

Erin loves this Staud dress SO much that she has it in FOUR colors/prints and lengths…and she’s admitted she wants to buy a few more colors too! This is one of those dresses you can dress up OR down. The fabric is 100% cotton so it’s super lightweight and breathable…perfect for hot weather! The neckline is flattering, unexpected, and allows you to wear a regular bra (big win!). This dress is so popular it sells out in most colors pretty quickly, but we linked a few options below.

Green Farm Rio Printed Maxi Dress

This last dress is a much dressier option that would be perfect for a nice dinner or even a beach wedding. It’s so chic, breathable (100% cotton), and versatile. Erin has worn it with heels, sneakers, and sandals this summer and loves how easy it is to dress up or down! The one-shoulder neckline is really cool, the print and color are beautiful, and the length is nice too.

If you live somewhere super hot and humid, leave a comment with where you’re from and what your go-to outfit is…we love to hear from you!

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