Summer style SOS: 51 genius fashion and beauty tips for sticky days and sweaty nights

From frozen hot-water bottles to a frizzy hair hack – our fashion team share their wisdom

On a typical day in high summer you’ll come across two types of people: those who suffer and those who revel. Perhaps you’re a bit of both – you love beaches, but hate hay fever. Or perhaps you burn in the sun, but live for the longer nights sipping pink gin outside.

Believe it or not, there are elements of summer that even the Guardian’s fashion desk struggles with, which is why we’ve compiled this summer survival guide.

Some of it is clothing-based, such as sleeping in a wet T-shirt or something to put on your sandals to stop them sliding across those Grecian cobbles. Others are about skin in the sun – the must-have suncream, say, or how to use a toe post on sticky feet. Sweatier readers may like to learn about the joy of blotting paper, how best to deploy a frozen hot-water bottle (a cold-water bottle?), or how to manage messy beach hair. If nothing else, these might distract you from the cruel reality of summer we have come to expect. In which case, take these tips on your holiday or file them away for next year’s out-of-season heatwave.

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‘Soak a T-shirt under cold water when it’s too hot to sleep’ – Jess Cartner-Morley

Slip a cotton wool pad into your makeup compact before you pack it to add cushioning while your case is being thrown around by baggage handlers. It is heartbreaking when you take out your favourite makeup on hols and discover it has turned into sparkly gravel.

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Oversized iridescent hand fan

£20 at V&A

Paper fans are so much more chic than those little whirry electric ones. They weigh nothing, fold down to nothing in your bag and are great for Bridgerton-style flirting. Museum gift shops are a good source of pretty ones. I like this one from the V&A.

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Glasses care kit

£5.99 at Boots

If you use your sunglasses to push your hair back, they will loosen and start slipping down your nose, but you can buy tiny screwdrivers to tighten them up again. Boots makes this glasses care kit.

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If it’s hot and you can’t sleep, soak a T-shirt under cold water and put it on. It’s quite brutal and probably terrible for your mattress, but it’s brilliant at cooling you down long enough to get some shut-eye.

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Boots Bite Relief Click-It

£6.30 at Boots

A clickable bug-bite zapper instantly stops mosquito bites from itching. It shoots a tiny piezoelectric charge (me neither, but it works) that feels like a tiny electric shock. It barely hurts, I promise, and it stops the urge to scratch.

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Cut out the label from the back of your bikini bottoms, otherwise it will stick out all day. I see so many sticky‑out labels every time I go to a beach and it drives me crazy.

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‘Brush perfume through your hair to make fragrance last longer’ – Melanie Wilkinson

Ikea Istad kitchen bags

£3.50 at Ikea

When using a capacious tote at the beach, park or lido, pouches are your best friend. They’ll stop you getting sand or suncream (or both) all over your stuff when you are rummaging in your bag. Ikea kitchen bags are perfect, and work for snacks as well.

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Marks & Spencer cotton-rich secret support vest

£20 at M&S

Rubbing underwires and pinching back straps only get worse in the heat, so a vest with an inbuilt bra is a great idea for the summer. But they don’t always offer the best support (unless you are a small cup size). I recently discovered these. F+!! And they work! Well, on this 32F body they do.

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TKees flip-flop sandals

£66 from TKees £65 at the White Company

These flip-flop sandals are a bit of a gamechanger. Easy to slip on, they go with absolutely everything and are super light and slimline, so easy to throw into a bag and change in to at the end of a long day. Plus, with 11 nude shades you can match them to your skin tone for leg‑lengthening joy.

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Perfume has gone up a bit in price, hasn’t it? So it’s even worse when you slowly sweat off your favourite fragrance during warmer months. Spraying your hair will make it last much longer. Don’t spritz too liberally – the alcohol is drying and can irritate your scalp. Opt for the nape of your neck or spray your hairbrush, wait a couple of seconds for the alcohol to evaporate, and then brush through.

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‘Use face-dusting powder to calm thigh chafing’ – Lauren Cochrane

I shift to a “no tucking” policy if the temperature is more than 20C. Having airflow between skirt and top provides a breeziness you’ll be glad of, especially if, like me, you’re a big walker.

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Teva Universal walking sandals

£37.99 at Asos £50 at Teva

As soon as the weather turns and it’s not raining, I switch to walking sandals. My favourites are Teva Universals – they’re comfortable, durable and look decent with shorts, skirts and more. With a clean every so often, they’ll last a couple of summers.

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I do like to have painted toes in the summer months. I prefer gel pedicures, though, and – unlike a lot of beauty treatments – they actually last, around three weeks if you’re lucky. One tip: don’t walk on hot sand with gel nails – it melts off the polish.

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I always want to carry less stuff, so I buy soft sunglasses pouches to replace bulky cases. They double as a cloth to clean the lenses, so win-win.

Lush Super Milk dusting powder

£12 at Lush

A friend of mine recommends Lush dusting powder – meant to be a final layer after moisturising – for anyone who struggles with thigh chafing. There are a few options, but the Super Milk is a favourite.

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Arket oversized shirt

£75 at Arket

If I am going to be out all day, I wear an oversized shirt as a jacket, so I don’t have to carry around another layer but do have something when it gets colder in the evening. I buy mine from charity shops, and Arket does good ones.

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‘Always remember, there’s a fine line with a big-personality shirt’ – Sam Deaman

Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese blotting papers, 40 sheets

£15 at SpaceNK £15 at Tatcha

As someone with oily skin, I always carry a packet of blotting papers – such as Tatcha’s Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers – wherever I go during the summer. The wafer-thin sheets can be used to remove shine and excess oil from your face without disturbing your suncream application.

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Oas patterned shirts

From £120 at Oas

During the lead-up to summer, the men’s shopping scene is flooded with a sea of big-personality shirts. Always remember, there’s a fine line between cringe and cool. To achieve the latter, find a print that does not cover the entirety of the shirt – negative space around the pattern makes it less of an attack on the senses. I’d also suggest working with muted colours as you’ll find the shirt easier to style with your existing wardrobe. My go-to brand is Oas or you can usually pick up some nice SS Daley on Vinted.

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Men’s ribbed socks

£8.95 at Moss

A trainer should never be worn without a sock, no matter how hot the weather – even if you’re on holiday. Forget about cropped ankle socks, too; trainers should be paired with a ribbed sock that sits at least three inches above the ankle to best flatter. I love Moss’s selection as they come in a variety of colours, which you can coordinate with the top half of your outfit.

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Knee-length denim shorts

£65 at Cos

Milano jersey shorts

£45 at Cos

Selecting the right pair of shorts can be a minefield. Do we go short and sporty like Harry Styles out jogging recently, or oversized and three-quarter-length like all the cool guys on Instagram? I think a relatively wide‑fit short that hits just above the top of your knee is the sweet spot. Cos’s knee-length denim shorts and Milano jersey shorts are great. These will match perfectly with Zara’s billowing open shirt and Olive’s fitted, ribbed vest or Topman’s boxy striped T-shirt. The key is to make sure that they don’t hug your thigh or leg.

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Vivobarefoot Ultra IV Men’s

£99.99 at Sports Shoes £100 at Vivo Barefoot

If you want to maximise your enjoyment on a coastline of pebble or stone, buy a pair of sea shoes. Vivobarefoot’s Ultra IV Men’s are my favourite. Exiting the sea squealing in agony as hundreds of tiny rocks assault the soles of your feet is not the 007 fantasy we all hope for.

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‘Take a nice linen throw to the beach instead of a bulky towel’ – Morwenna Ferrier

I carry an extra plastic bag to the beach. When you’re ready to leave, fill it with seawater, take it back to where you’re getting dressed, and pop your feet inside to wash off the sand. That way you don’t need to balance on one foot in breaking waves while trying to get your shoes on.

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Pro11 flip-flop toe posts, one pair

£4.99 at Amazon

When you’re wearing flip-flops, try a pair of toe posts, which fit around the toes to protect the more tender skin there.

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Larry King flyaway brush kit

£20 at John Lewis £20 at Selfridges

My pole-straight hair gets frizzy in the humidity, particularly around my face. I recently bought this Larry King flyaway brush to tame the baby hairs.

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CeraVe hydrating cream-to-foam cleanser

£10.87 at Boots £10.88 at Look Fantastic

I grew up in the countryside and I’m not used to London’s dirt, so I’m a stickler for triple cleansing, especially in the summer when your skin is clogged up with sunscreen. I start with something oily to “de-clag” – I rotate between Emma Lewisham Illuminating Oil Cleanser when it’s warm and La Roche Posay Lipikar oil when it’s searingly hot – then follow this with a creamier one, CeraVe hydrating cream-to-foam cleanser, which I use twice. Even if you don’t wear makeup (and I don’t wear much), it’s worth going three times.

For more, read our guide on how to build the perfect skincare routine

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Rains cinched-waist raincoat

£53.55 at Asos £83 at Rains

I always pack a North Face waterproof on holiday, but I’m slightly obsessed with all these cinched-waist anoraks doing the rounds, such as the chronically sold-out Victoria Beckham x Gap one and the longer mint parka by Rains, which look much better than a cagoule with a beach dress when you’re caught in a tropical shower.

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Altruist sunscreen SPF50

£4.39 for 100ml at Face the Future £10.50 for 2 x 100ml at Amazon

Altruist anti-redness facial SPF50, 30ml

£10.22 at Face the Future £11.75 at Amazon

The addition of a good factor suncream to this list is hardly radical but I’ve honestly found the holy grail. It’s a brand called Altruist, which supports various charities that help children with albinism across Africa. It’s also very cheap (two 100ml tubes of SPF50 sunscreen for a tenner) and sits very nicely on the skin, doesn’t pill and I’ve yet to burn when wearing it. I also love their Primer SPF50 (£10.90), and the light Anti-Redness and Pigmentation SPF50 is water‑resistant – and the only makeup I need for six months of the year.

For more, read our guide to the best face SPF

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To My Ships polygonum spray-on deodorant, 75ml

£35 at To My Ships

I struggle with deodorant. I find a lot of deodorant bars (which usually claim to be aluminium-free) don’t work terribly well on me. I’ve recently discovered the polygonum spray-on by To My Ships. I know the price is unhinged but I rarely wear spenny perfume – and this smells fantastic. It also works!

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Uniqlo narrow sunglasses

£19.90 at Uniqlo

I have two sets of sunglasses. My nice Linda Farrow ones, which block out the sun and make me look a lot chicer when I’m wearing my tatty 90s sundress from Urban Outfitters (and which I wear if I have a proper handbag to carry them in). And cheaper ones, which I’m happy to take to the beach and wear on public transport instead of a hair band to keep sweaty hair off my face, without fear of them getting lost, scratched or bent out of shape. Uniqlo’s very chic unisex ones are my go-to this summer.

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Skims Sculpt fitted stretch-woven shorts

£44 at Skims £44 at Selfridges

Adanola ultimate bike shorts

£34 at Adanola

An oldie but a goodie: wear cycling shorts under your summer dress or skirt. You’ll feel a whole lot better sitting cross-legged in the park, if you come across a rogue wind, or going up steps or escalators. Try Skims, Falke and Adanola.

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Stripe linen throw

£135 at Toast

Boreo thick linen throw

£104.99 at La Redoute

I rarely travel with a towel if I’m going to the beach. Too bulky and slow to dry. A nice linen throw (always go natural, I like Toast or La Redoute) is perfectly fine to lie on. I also carry an extra baby muslin for drying myself.

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‘During a heatwave, pop a frozen hot-water bottle in bed’ – Chloe Mac Donnell

A packing cube dedicated to swimwear is also useful if you’re one of those people who can’t be bothered to unpack. It saves you digging around your suitcase each morning.

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Body Glide anti-chafe balm, 42g

£14.99 at Body Glide

I use Body Glide anti-chafe balm on my toes and backs of my heels to stop sandals rubbing – I haven’t had a single blister on my feet.

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Scuff mark eraser, pack of four

£2.19 at Tesco

Smarten up baggage by using a magic eraser sponge to get annoying scuff marks off hard-shell cases.

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Opret 100ml silicone travel bottles, pack of four

£8.49 at Amazon

Alledomain travel pots, pack of four

£7.99 at Amazon

To squeeze out every last drop of your travel shampoo, use a silicone rather than a hard plastic bottle. I have had the four-piece Opret travel bottle set for two years and it is still going strong. No leaks, no breaks; the bottles are also easy to clean and refill. For facial serums, I decant into little pots, such as Alledomain’s. They come with a double lid to stop spills.

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During a UK heatwave I like to pop a frozen hot-water bottle, wrapped in a towel, in my bed 10 minutes before I get into it. Just don’t use the same hot-water bottle for boiling water in future, as it may not be safe. A repurposed big water bottle or even a freezer block will do, too.

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FYY seven-day pill organiser

£8.49 at Amazon

I take my supplements seriously, even on holiday. I used to carry them around in a plastic sandwich bag but have since upgraded to a dedicated organiser. This one from FYY is big enough for all my potions. And it doesn’t look horrible on a bedside table.

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Before summer properly kicks off I’ll go for a medical pedicure with a podiatrist. It gets rid of any calluses and hard skin from winter boots, leaving you with baby-smooth skin. And for someone who likes a non‑sensible shoe, it feels sensible to get feet looked at by a professional once a year.

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Linen fitted sheet, double

£95 at Rise & Fall

Swap cotton bedsheets for linen. Just like linen trousers, they help keep you cool, as flax allows air to circulate and wicks moisture away from the body. I swear by Rise & Fall, which are spenny, but when you consider cost per sleep, the price won’t keep you up at night. Another bonus? You don’t need to bother ironing them.

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Summer sandals and flats tend to be slippery, so I’ll take them to the cobbler and ask for a Topy rubber sole. A must if you’re going on holiday to somewhere with cobbled steps.

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Uniqlo canvas sun hat

£24.90 at Uniqlo

Oas camel brim canvas hat

£80 at Oas

If you’re planning to find yourself on a windy island this summer, swap your baseball cap for a canvas sun hat, like this one from Uniqlo or this from Oas.

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For picnics I prefer to use a big beach towel rather than a woollen picnic blanket. It’s easier to wash when someone inevitably spills hummus on it.

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‘Check T-shirts are 100% cotton or at least cotton-linen mix’ – Priya Elan

You can never have too much sunscreen. I always keep a good supply around the house – extra bottles in different rooms and, if you have a garden, somewhere in its vicinity. I’m also very pro‑travel size, as you can and should keep one on your person.

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Summer can feel like the annihilation of your style. But it’s important that you don’t give up your normal clothes (or, worse, panic-buy) for something you’ll wear three months of the year. It sounds obvious but suddenly wearing a blue polo shirt if, like me, you prefer black clothing will make you more uncomfortable than any heat. Plus, if you’re travelling, it’s easier to hide the creases in dark clothing.

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Four-pocket work jacket

£89 at Blacksmith

The Overshirt

£200 at Asket

I know from experience that any man who wears shorts to work is viewed with suspicion. But there are micro‑tweaks you can make if you don’t have a fixed uniform. For the office, ditch the top button, obviously. Replace your suit jacket with a smart chore one from Asket or Blacksmith online. Try it with a T-shirt or thin shirt underneath, if that’s passable. Despite the fact you’re wearing a mix of smart-casual, colour match as far as you can, so it doesn’t look like you’ve veered too far from any dress code, however vague. Avoid sandals.

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Thin layers are good. I like to wear a black band T-shirt – and a very thin black jumper in the evening on holiday. Check T-shirts are 100% cotton or at least cotton-linen mix. Natural fibres are cooler and don’t pinch in all the wrong places. It’s worth shelling out a bit extra on a good T-shirt, if you can.

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‘Lean into beach hair instead of trying to fight it’ – Ellie Violet Bramley

When I’m heading out from day until night and don’t want to be burdened with a full layer but do worry about getting cold later on, a pair of socks stashed in a bag and put on with sandals (I have no issues with this look, though I know many do) can take the edge off. They also offer solace when blisters are threatening.

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Ultra Violette Future Fluid SPF50+ Mini Mate, 20ml

£13.60 at Cult Beauty £17 at Ultra Violette

I realised too late in life that I was spending summer with an unnecessarily greasy face. My mum took pity on me during a sweaty family holiday in Portugal last summer and lent me her bottle of SPF50+ Ultra Violette “skinscreen”, which lives up to its claim of a “non-greasy finish”. I am yet to give the bottle back.

For more, read our guide to the best face sunscreen

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Davines This is a Sea Salt Spray, 250ml

£23.75 at Sephora £23.75 at Cult Beauty

Lean into messy beach hair instead of trying to fight it. Davines’ sea salt spray actually works, plus it smells better than it has any right to.

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Ellyla Amora woven leather shoulder bag in macha

£199 at Ellyla

I know backpacks are good for back health, but I find them too hot and sweaty in summer. I like a bag I can carry in one hand. Ellyla’s macha woven one is impressively strong, so can hold last‑minute groceries as well as all your other essentials.

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Speltham forest green striped boxer shorts

£35 at Speltham

There’s a reason womenswear has gone bananas for boxer shorts in recent summers; they’re classic, breathable and have an elasticated waist. They’re perfect with a baggy shirt on a hot day; a collared number being the perfect foil to the fact you’re basically in men’s underpants. They’re also good under shorts if you’re cycling around and don’t want to flash. I particularly like Speltham’s, which are made in London (Vinted is also full of them).