This is my second summer living in Georgia, and I am SWEATY. My favorite thing to wear is my Halara racer-back dress with the built-in bra. I have it in a couple of colors and I took the cups out. Not needing to wear a bra is the definition of summer comfort to me, and the fabric is so light and sweat-wicking or whatever. I live in those all summer.
In summers past, I have exercised much less because I live in Alabama so the heat and humidity can be brutal. A few summers ago, I made it a point to keep going outside and build a heat tolerance because it makes such a difference to my mental health. This year I'm used to it enough that I'm continuing to run outside.
I really want to do my runs in just a sports bra but I don't have the confidence for it. I've seen other women do it around here but in my head I think of them as "real runners" since they have more athletic builds than I do. It's one of those things I know is irrational but it's still hard to not feel that way.
The idea of building a heat tolerance is a really good idea, and you unlocked something in my brain… since last summer I joined a new gym, and this one has a sauna. I go in the sauna all the time and love it. I’ve noticed I can handle it better than I did before. Maybe this heat tolerance will translate to this summer outside 🤞
I get the irrational thoughts and don’t blame you for having them. My suspicion is that if you found a really cute, functional, supportive sports bra with just a bit more coverage than some of the typical ones, it could make this a bit easier?
I used to say I had reverse-SAD, but then I realized that I only hate summer if I’m living in a place that doesn’t get cold winters. When it follows a real winter, I’m excited for it. I’ve also just accepted that I’m a humidity-liking weirdo, so living in the northeast US these past 3 years is really working out for me.
Good for you! I hate the humidity but I agree that it's much better to have seasons. I suppose hating summer makes me enjoy fall and winter even more, ha!
I've always been a sandal hater, most of them rub and chafe in weird spots. And the ones that go between your toes are the most uncomfortable thing in the world. Luckily (or unluckily depending on your mindset) I work in a job that requires closed toe shoes and pants.
I like to opt for more flowy fabrics in the summer, giving me a bit more breathing room. And I also live near DC with the absolute worst thing being the under boob sweat. Save me and my girls!! I've heard of some people using talc or baby powder, but I've also heard that can cause cancer :/
A nurse relative of mine recommended Desenex powder for skin-on-skin sweaty areas. It's talc-free and also contains an anti-fungal, which works great if you tend to get that painful and itchy rashiness. Smells nice, too.
I also have trouble sleeping in summer because of the heat/sixteen hour daylight here in Washington. I rely on Certain-Dri antiperspirant even though I feel generally squeamish about the long term effects of absorbing so much aluminum in my sweat glands there is just no way I can make it through the summer without it.
Writing this from England, it's still totally daylight outside right now at 8.15pm so of course we have all the blinds and curtains closed!
As someone who has lost several stone over the last couple of years - I'm finally in my era of actually enjoying dressing for summer! It's amazing to be able to dress appropriately for the weather and to be so much more comfortable in the heat. I actually wrote a piece about it myself as I needed to process the huge change in approach that came from losing weight and finally feeling good and not overheating all the time! X
I’m glad you mentioned sandals, because I always feel like I’m the only one who suffers from sweaty feet! But I do have a pair of Sorel sandals that I love that are very comfortable! They’re the only ones I feel good about wearing.
Now I need to look into those anti-chafe shorts lol.
I am an Always Cold and feel I look my best in a flowy shirtdress, so give me hot places. I'm in Scotland this summer and it will never ever be warm enough for me to be fully feeling myself, even during the so called heatwave a few weeks ago. And why am I even bothering with self tanner?
"an Always Cold," lol! A flowy shirtdress is a beautiful thing indeed, I have a great one I'm going to bust out later today. I wore pants in the 10,000% humidity yesterday and it almost killed me
I tend to feel slightly better in my body in the summer because I get tan! I always feel more attractive with a tan even when nothing else has changed.
Those Croc sandals were shockingly inoffensive, great find.
I do love a tan! I'm very sun-conscious and heavy with the SPF but I like bronzing drops and other faux-tan things, they really do make me look more alive and glowy
As an owner of a 32G size chest, I cannot tell you how much I envy women who can go without a bra or with one of those minimal things, or a built in. My choices of dresses and tops are limited to those that can be worn with a real bra, and then of course there is the boob sweat and heat rash. Blech. Maybe I need to live in the PNW.
Body Glide helps, both on bra strap line and on feet. Unlike you, I LOVE sandals. I actually like how my feet look so I welcome the chance to show off something of my body that I’m not self-conscious about. I hate showing my thighs and I’m not wild about my arms either, but at the age of 60 I figure f*** it, if someone thinks my limbs are ugly, they are welcome to look away.
I have discovered the wonder of the lightweight wide leg or barrel shape pants. I broke down and bought one of those pairs from Ruti after they followed me around social media for years, and now I want to wear them every day.
Swimsuits are a whole struggle. Again, big 60yo boobs are difficult to dress without looking matronly. I find that the sportier I go in styling, the better I feel. That or a bikini, strangely enough. Short torso here and sometimes a bikini is more flattering than more fabric!
I discovered a summer uniform that helps me feel good about myself and is comfortable - flowy dress or linen pants, with anti-chafe shorts and sandals. I have two pairs from this smaller company called Tread Labs that I like a lot!
I always get the itch to buy a new swimsuit when the weather gets warm, and then I remember that I hardly ever actually go swimming and the 1-2 times per summer I do, I can handle wearing one of the perfectly fine ones I already have.
I have a huge bust and need/want to wear a bra with everything, though, so the dress thing can be hard because sometimes I feel like my boobs look SO big, not that that's a bad thing, but more like the boobs are taking over the whole outfit. And while I love how a dress can cinch at the waist and show off my curves and strong legs, that part makes me really self-conscious. HOWEVER, I am having a breast reduction later this year!!!! I finally got it preauthorized by my insurance!!! I cannot wait for whatever the boob related future holds.
I finally caved and got a sleep mask. I thought it would bug me, but not at all. And I got a cheapy two-set of washable silk. Like, it doesn't even have the cute "scrunchie" head band; just a black adjustable bra strap style, which means you can set it to "barely on". Game changer. xo
I live in Hong Kong and so what with the punishing humidity, high temps along with regular and heavy rainfall, summer time is a wet/sweat-fest. And I can relate your husband's comment about reverse SAD! I feel miserable for most of the summer. No outdoor running/hiking for me until things start to cool down.
Back to clothes. It's all about linen and light-weight sports wear for me both for casual and for work. I found an excellent selection of both fabrics the last time I went to Athleta in the US (they don't ship to Asia). Also, I know that it can be pricey, but I do like the casual t-shirts at Lululemon. The fabric is soft and light - I typically size up or buy the men's ones.
This is my second summer living in Georgia, and I am SWEATY. My favorite thing to wear is my Halara racer-back dress with the built-in bra. I have it in a couple of colors and I took the cups out. Not needing to wear a bra is the definition of summer comfort to me, and the fabric is so light and sweat-wicking or whatever. I live in those all summer.
I have that too! Those "sports dresses" that started popping up a few years ago are great
In summers past, I have exercised much less because I live in Alabama so the heat and humidity can be brutal. A few summers ago, I made it a point to keep going outside and build a heat tolerance because it makes such a difference to my mental health. This year I'm used to it enough that I'm continuing to run outside.
I really want to do my runs in just a sports bra but I don't have the confidence for it. I've seen other women do it around here but in my head I think of them as "real runners" since they have more athletic builds than I do. It's one of those things I know is irrational but it's still hard to not feel that way.
The idea of building a heat tolerance is a really good idea, and you unlocked something in my brain… since last summer I joined a new gym, and this one has a sauna. I go in the sauna all the time and love it. I’ve noticed I can handle it better than I did before. Maybe this heat tolerance will translate to this summer outside 🤞
I get the irrational thoughts and don’t blame you for having them. My suspicion is that if you found a really cute, functional, supportive sports bra with just a bit more coverage than some of the typical ones, it could make this a bit easier?
I was partially inspired by The Joy of Sweat by Sarah Everts. Sometimes the framing makes a big difference.
That's a good idea. I do think finding one with more coverage but still breezier than a shirt would work.
I used to say I had reverse-SAD, but then I realized that I only hate summer if I’m living in a place that doesn’t get cold winters. When it follows a real winter, I’m excited for it. I’ve also just accepted that I’m a humidity-liking weirdo, so living in the northeast US these past 3 years is really working out for me.
Good for you! I hate the humidity but I agree that it's much better to have seasons. I suppose hating summer makes me enjoy fall and winter even more, ha!
I get terrible insomnia around midsummer every year - I also live in DC but get it anywhere, I’ve found.
It's truly a relief to know this is a Thing and other people get it too. I felt like I was the only one who doesn't feel great and happy in the summer
The chronic lack of sleep makes me feel like a zombie!
I've always been a sandal hater, most of them rub and chafe in weird spots. And the ones that go between your toes are the most uncomfortable thing in the world. Luckily (or unluckily depending on your mindset) I work in a job that requires closed toe shoes and pants.
I like to opt for more flowy fabrics in the summer, giving me a bit more breathing room. And I also live near DC with the absolute worst thing being the under boob sweat. Save me and my girls!! I've heard of some people using talc or baby powder, but I've also heard that can cause cancer :/
Yes, I've been very into linens and light flowy things. Maybe check out this list for underboob sweat products?? https://nymag.com/strategist/article/how-to-deal-with-underboob-sweat.html
I'll have to check some of these out! I've tried antiperspirant before and it hasn't worked, but those wipes seem like they would
A nurse relative of mine recommended Desenex powder for skin-on-skin sweaty areas. It's talc-free and also contains an anti-fungal, which works great if you tend to get that painful and itchy rashiness. Smells nice, too.
I also have trouble sleeping in summer because of the heat/sixteen hour daylight here in Washington. I rely on Certain-Dri antiperspirant even though I feel generally squeamish about the long term effects of absorbing so much aluminum in my sweat glands there is just no way I can make it through the summer without it.
I use the barefoot shoes, great for workouts too
Writing this from England, it's still totally daylight outside right now at 8.15pm so of course we have all the blinds and curtains closed!
As someone who has lost several stone over the last couple of years - I'm finally in my era of actually enjoying dressing for summer! It's amazing to be able to dress appropriately for the weather and to be so much more comfortable in the heat. I actually wrote a piece about it myself as I needed to process the huge change in approach that came from losing weight and finally feeling good and not overheating all the time! X
I’m glad you mentioned sandals, because I always feel like I’m the only one who suffers from sweaty feet! But I do have a pair of Sorel sandals that I love that are very comfortable! They’re the only ones I feel good about wearing.
Now I need to look into those anti-chafe shorts lol.
I always hear good things about Sorels!
Loving the Body Glide foot balm for new shoes, particularly sandals as my feet will blister if you look at them funny. Also really love this Gold Bond body powder to avoid swamp ass and underboob chafing. https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/gold-bond-comfort-body-powder,-talc-free-fresh-clean
Also have two rechargeable neck fans and those cooling golf towels. This is the only way I get through midwest summer while gardening and working out.
oh my gosh thank you, I will check out this foot balm
I am an Always Cold and feel I look my best in a flowy shirtdress, so give me hot places. I'm in Scotland this summer and it will never ever be warm enough for me to be fully feeling myself, even during the so called heatwave a few weeks ago. And why am I even bothering with self tanner?
"an Always Cold," lol! A flowy shirtdress is a beautiful thing indeed, I have a great one I'm going to bust out later today. I wore pants in the 10,000% humidity yesterday and it almost killed me
I tend to feel slightly better in my body in the summer because I get tan! I always feel more attractive with a tan even when nothing else has changed.
Those Croc sandals were shockingly inoffensive, great find.
I do love a tan! I'm very sun-conscious and heavy with the SPF but I like bronzing drops and other faux-tan things, they really do make me look more alive and glowy
As an owner of a 32G size chest, I cannot tell you how much I envy women who can go without a bra or with one of those minimal things, or a built in. My choices of dresses and tops are limited to those that can be worn with a real bra, and then of course there is the boob sweat and heat rash. Blech. Maybe I need to live in the PNW.
Body Glide helps, both on bra strap line and on feet. Unlike you, I LOVE sandals. I actually like how my feet look so I welcome the chance to show off something of my body that I’m not self-conscious about. I hate showing my thighs and I’m not wild about my arms either, but at the age of 60 I figure f*** it, if someone thinks my limbs are ugly, they are welcome to look away.
I have discovered the wonder of the lightweight wide leg or barrel shape pants. I broke down and bought one of those pairs from Ruti after they followed me around social media for years, and now I want to wear them every day.
Swimsuits are a whole struggle. Again, big 60yo boobs are difficult to dress without looking matronly. I find that the sportier I go in styling, the better I feel. That or a bikini, strangely enough. Short torso here and sometimes a bikini is more flattering than more fabric!
I discovered a summer uniform that helps me feel good about myself and is comfortable - flowy dress or linen pants, with anti-chafe shorts and sandals. I have two pairs from this smaller company called Tread Labs that I like a lot!
I always get the itch to buy a new swimsuit when the weather gets warm, and then I remember that I hardly ever actually go swimming and the 1-2 times per summer I do, I can handle wearing one of the perfectly fine ones I already have.
I have a huge bust and need/want to wear a bra with everything, though, so the dress thing can be hard because sometimes I feel like my boobs look SO big, not that that's a bad thing, but more like the boobs are taking over the whole outfit. And while I love how a dress can cinch at the waist and show off my curves and strong legs, that part makes me really self-conscious. HOWEVER, I am having a breast reduction later this year!!!! I finally got it preauthorized by my insurance!!! I cannot wait for whatever the boob related future holds.
I finally caved and got a sleep mask. I thought it would bug me, but not at all. And I got a cheapy two-set of washable silk. Like, it doesn't even have the cute "scrunchie" head band; just a black adjustable bra strap style, which means you can set it to "barely on". Game changer. xo
I live in Hong Kong and so what with the punishing humidity, high temps along with regular and heavy rainfall, summer time is a wet/sweat-fest. And I can relate your husband's comment about reverse SAD! I feel miserable for most of the summer. No outdoor running/hiking for me until things start to cool down.
Back to clothes. It's all about linen and light-weight sports wear for me both for casual and for work. I found an excellent selection of both fabrics the last time I went to Athleta in the US (they don't ship to Asia). Also, I know that it can be pricey, but I do like the casual t-shirts at Lululemon. The fabric is soft and light - I typically size up or buy the men's ones.