It took me several years once I’d entered my seventies to gain the confidence to wear hot weather outfits. But as each year seems to bring a new heatwave I’ve had to adjust my ideas.
This has meant showing areas of myself I prefer to camouflage! So, in case you too stress over showing your upper arms or your legs here’s a small capsule wardrobe of hot weather outfits that I live in, once the temperature goes above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).
I hope it encourages you to worry less about what you look like in sleeveless tops and shorts. I’m 77, short, and square with heavy kegs and swollen ankles, flabby upper arms and a large belly. So hardly an ideal model! But if I can show myself online in these outfits so can you!
These cotton shorts from M&S were bought a few years ago. They are basically a short version of chinos. So they have belt loops which are useful on cooler summer days when I want to look smarter with a belt. But on hot days I never wear a belt or, indeed, anything constricting.
This linen short-sleeved top is breezy, lightweight and hangs away from my tummy without dragging against those belt loops. This gives me a reasonably modest outfit whether I’m relaxing at home or out and about.
I’ve added an F&F summery overshirt bought from Tesco supermarket last year, (link is to similar available now) to illustrate how I look if I need more protection against the sun, or from the mosquitos in the evening. I find that by adding more interest to my top half it detracts from my legs – which now have visible veins at the ankle. I often buy supermarket clothes for hot weather because they don’t get worn as often as most other items. Most summer tops need to be washed after each wearing so this non-iron shirt works well.
Here’s one of my less covered-up hot weather outfits. The sleeveless linen top from Boden is something I use as an under layer throughout the year. Sure, it shows my upper arms, which these days lack any semblance of tone. But if I’m with friends or other people of a similar age to me, I have learnt to stop obsessing over these signs of aging. They happen to us all.
The washed-out look shorts are from Poetry a few years back (link to current similar item). They are ideal for walks with handy pockets and a relaxed shape. I like the British Coastal look of pale sea-washed cotton. There are no belt loops so these shorts work well with a toning tee shirt even if I don’t tuck in.
I love the bright intense hue of this linen shirt by Boden. I can wear if with most items because it stands out as a statement piece rather than part of a planned outfit. I usually roll up the sleeves to keep the eye focused away from my legs. Collars, folds and strong colors all attract the gaze away from the shorts, so I wear this outfit when I’m shopping or feel the need to cover up but still stay cool.
Before a heatwave really sets in, pushing the temperature up to middle thirties to forties (95-105F), as this year here in France, I find I can tolerate trousers as long as they are linen, wide and floaty. These M&S pants I bought a few years ago, are pull-ons with an easy elasticated waist. The belt loops are wide and flat which makes it easier to wear a top over the waist instead of tucked or belted. The sleeveless Boden linen top is a favorite of mine – I’ve always been a push-over for stripes, checks and spots!
Here are the same linen pants with my F&F cover-up. Ideal for an evening drink with neighbors.
OK, so here’s my least covered up of all the outfits I wear in summer. The shorts are part of a play suit. Very occasionally I wear the bra top if I’m off to the swimming pool but usually I feel cool enough with these shorter shorts.
The vest I bought larger than my usual size as I wanted it to drape over the shorts elastic waistband without showing too much of the gathering there. I feel comfortable with this outfit when I’m with family or walking my dog. But mainly I wear it when I’m relaxing on my own.
I really like capri pants in theory but their tight fit around the hips and thighs need a bit of thought. Generally I look for a longer top like this one that covers my widest part. This look is fine for when I’m out and about. The sleeves and the trouser legs cover all my insecurities!
I have a few simple, wide-cut dresses for hot weather. I’d normally add jewelry to this plain cotton shift dress but not when the weather is too hot. Metal jewelry can heat up fast and even non-metallic accessories can get annoying in the heat.
This sleeveless shift is cool and easy to wear. It is much better than a midi dress in the height of summer. I find that extra length of most of my Spring and summer dresses simply too much when the weather is very hot. The less fabric the better to stay comfortable.
If you also worry about showing more of yourself in very hot weather let me know in the Comments below. Tell me how you cope and if you think shorts are appropriate at 77!
If you enjoy capsule wardrobe collections for an older woman you might like this post too:
PS. My replies to the first comments are marked as being by James Sargent. This lovely man is my tech guy. I signed in as him by mistake ! As far as I know he has very little interest in shorts versus trousers. Apologies….I don’t know how to remedy the error without deleting all the comments, so just put it down to heatwave frazzled brain! Joni
Thank you for the ideas to stay cool !
I absolutely LOVE the Boden tops !
They look flattering on you
I’ll be looking for pieces to wear.. like you if it’s warm I want to dress comfortably.
Enjoy the rest of your summer 😎
Thanks for your positive comment Peggy, it means a lot to me! Joni
Love the blue & white Tesco topper! You look cool and completely comfortable in each ensemble and that’s really all that matters. I live in New Jersey, where our summers tend to be hot and humid and I simply ignore what my arms look like, reminding myself no one’s looking at me anyway. ☺️
Hi Barbara, I lived in New York years ago and found the contrasting seasons interesting but challenging! Yet somehow it seemed so easy to dress for the weather. Today, less easy! It’s good to hear you aren’t fazed (is that a real word??) by showing arms and legs these days. You are a hero (heroine if you prefer). Joni
It’s wonderful to see an actual person my age, not a stick-thin, young model. Here in South Carolina, summer starts in May and lasts until at least October, with July and August staying 95-100 every day. I only wear shorts and sleeveless tops when gardening but I don’t think they’re inappropriate at any age and you look cool, comfortable and lovely. I stick to lightweight, loose cotton pants or capris and a button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. My daughter calls it my uniform, lol, and it’s helpful when stores and restaurants are freezing.
Hi Isabelle. It’s really useful to have one’s ‘uniform’ I think. What I don’t like is to start the day worrying about what to wear. There are, after all, more important things in life than fashion. Joni
Why are we so hard on ourselves?!!! You look great in every outfit!
Thanks for the positive comment, Sue. Of course I discard plenty of photos…. Joni
Hi Joni, These are perfect hot weather outfits for my 82 year old flabby body. While I haven’t worn shorts above the knee for many years, I do like capris or crops in light cotton or linen fabrics. Here in as-far-east-as-you-can-get Massachusetts in U.S., I’ve been enjoying your posts for a few years now and appreciate your showing an average older body in clothes we can easily find and wear. Karen
Hi Karen. Wide pants cropped just below the knee are an item I don’t possess but I think they look exactly right for us once our upper legs and knees get a bit puffy. Joni
Cute outfits!
Glad you liked them, Su
I love the outfits you put together. At 72 I don’t like showing too much, but I want to remain cool while looking put together. Thanks for the suggestions.
Hi Lynn. So pleased you liked the post. Joni
You look fresh, cool, feminine and polished in every outfit. The whites and blues, fabrics and simplicity are perfect. With New Jersey’s hot, humid summers, my formula is like yours at almost 73. Wear cap sleeves but no sleeveless without a sheer cover. Will do knee-length relaxed shorts, but loose, light cropped pants usually win out. Always love a floaty cotton midi dress with short sleeves. Enjoy your posts very much.
Hi Kathleen. Thanks for sharing your style with us. Joni
I’m inspired by each of your blogs! I’m in my 50s but have had spider veins since my college waitressing days. To boost my confidence when wearing hot weather clothing, I use Sally Hansen Leg Makeup. It is lightweight even when applied with a little oil or lotion and dries matte. I am in central California 🇺🇸 where summer temperatures are often 100°F+. It stays on the skin even with white pants and easily washes off in the shower. Again, love your emails, and God Bless!
Hi Christina. Thanks for sharing with us your leg make-up brand and routine. It’s something I haven’t tried, to be honest. But I think it’s a good way to cover spider veins, especially if you’re in work or socialising. Useful info. Thanks Joni
Hi Joni
You look fabulous in all those outfits, as you always do. If you hadn’t pointed out your insecurities, I would be totally unaware of those.
I love your posts and learn so much from you. Thankyou so much for all your ideas and inspiration.
Helen (New Zealand)
Hi Helen. So happy you think the style choices I made in this post have drawn attention away from my ‘difficult’ areas. That’s what I was hoping to illustrate with these simple but ‘intentional’ outfits. Joni