NYC Summers Are Sweltering—These Chic Items Help Me Survive Leaving My Apartment

Fashion editor Natalie Cantell on the street in New York City wearing Loewe sunglasses, flat leather Mango flip-flops sandals, the SIR Dorian top with crochet detail, and matching black wide-leg trousers.

I know it’s hardly specific to New York, but boy, this summer is a scorcher. I’m pretty sure the city feels even hotter at the moment because my Instagram feed is full of people who are either swimming in Sardinia or swimming in the Hamptons, and I (sadly) am currently doing neither of those things.

In a city like NY, there’s just no avoiding the elements, so everyday outfits need to factor in the temperatures. All the temperatures: The actual outdoor temperature. The office air conditioning temperature. The Union Square NQRW subway platform temperature (hotter than the surface of the sun, in case you’re not familiar). Some days there’s really just no chance of looking even remotely presentable, but I’ve figured out that the below summer fashion items are my very best hope.

Tailored Strapless Tops

When it’s pushing 100ºF, I need there to be absolutely nothing touching my shoulders. Tailored strapless tops are a win for keeping cool but still having some structure—also, a quick moment for the crochet detail of the SIR style I’m wearing above.

SIR

Dorian Strapless Bodice

St. Agni

Strapless Buckle Back Top

MANGO

Top With Turn-Down Neckline

ELOQUII

Ruched Strapless Top

Sheer Anything

The thing about the city is that however hot it gets, sometimes you really just need a barrier between you and the elements (or the seat of the subway). Sheer pieces are your friend.

Topshop

Cow Print Semisheer Wide Leg Crinkle Pants

THE FRANKIE SHOP

Madeline Voile Midi Dress

Open Edit

Sheer Button-Up Shirt

Anthropologie

Porridge Mesh Half-Sleeve Top

“Good” Flat Sandals

I find I’m wearing heels less and less often, and please believe me when I say that I have zero inclination to entertain the idea of even the smallest heel during these temperatures. Flat sandals that can pass as dressy are the only way.

AEYDE

Penny Suede Sandals

MANGO

Leather Sandals With Adornment

A.EMERY

Shel Leather Sandals

Tory Burch

Patos Slingback Sandal

Breezy Skirts

I can’t explain the physics of it, but longer skirts are 100% cooler (temperature-wise) than wearing minis or shorts, and that’s just science.

MANGO

Printed Satin Skirt

DISSH

Gemima White Linen Midi Skirt

Barely There Crop Tanks

As a person who is schlepping out in the heat multiples times a day due to having a sweet doggo (and just so many errands?), I’ve discovered that a cropped tank worn under an open button-down shirt is the ultimate breezy situation.

Free People

Meg Seamless Crop Tank

Matteau

Nineties Knit Top

Good American

Scrunched Crop Tank

Free People

Intimately Fp Crop Camisole

Button-Down Shirts

I know a white or striped button-down is usually the go-to, but I impulse-purchased a black shirt at the beginning of this season, and I have absolutely thrashed it.

MANGO

Textured Flowy Blouse

DISSH

Sharni Blue Cotton Stripe Shirt

ASOS

Textured Button Through Beach Shirt in White

Reformation

Andy Oversized Shirt

Summer Totes

My requirement for a summer tote is that it needs to fit all my usual crap, plus my giant drink bottle and whatever light layer I’ve been forced to bring in case there’s aggressive AC.

Madewell

Handwoven Leather Tote

J.Crew

Large Hand-Knotted Packable Tote Bag

Loewe

+ Paula’s Ibiza Puzzle Fold Medium Convertible Leather-Trimmed Striped Raffia Tote

Linen Pants

Linen pants are truly the overachiever of my summer wardrobe. My only advice is that if they come as part of a matching set, just do it. You will wear it.

SIR

Dorian Wide Leg Pants

Gap

Mid Rise Linen-Cotton Pull-On Cargo Pants

Fortela

Jaleh Linen Straight-Leg Pants

Statement Eyewear

When you feel disgusting, and everything is disgusting, and you can’t believe you wore mascara because now it’s definitely smeared both above and below your eyes, the only thing that will save you is a good pair of sunglasses.