Dressing for a heatwave in Belgium used to be a non-issue. But summers are getting hotter, temperatures are climbing to 30 degrees and beyond, and suddenly you’re standing in front of your wardrobe with no good answer.
What you wear on those days matters more than you might think. Not just for how you feel, but for how you look. Because sweating through the wrong fabric is one thing, and staying comfortable and put-together all day is quite another.
It starts with the fabric
The foundation of a good heatwave outfit is not colour or silhouette. It is fabric. What your clothing is made of has more impact on how hot you feel than almost anything else.
Tencel is one of the best choices for high temperatures. Made from wood pulp, it breathes beautifully, feels soft against the skin and absorbs moisture without leaving your clothes feeling damp and heavy. It also has a subtle sheen that keeps you looking polished, even after a long day out.
Linen is the classic heatwave fabric. Nothing breathes quite like it. It creases, yes, but charmingly so, and it actually becomes more comfortable as the day goes on. On a 30-degree day, a few wrinkles are the last thing on your mind.
Cotton can work, but the weight matters. A thin, loosely woven cotton is fine. Thick jersey or tightly packed cotton traps heat and starts to feel heavy fast.
Avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon. They do not breathe, they trap heat, and they feel unpleasant against the skin when temperatures are high.
Silhouette: the looser the better
A good heatwave outfit calls for relaxed silhouettes that allow air to move. That does not mean shapeless. It means avoiding anything that clings.
A flowing dress or skirt lets air circulate freely and keeps you noticeably cooler than a fitted pair of trousers or a structured blouse. A slip dress in a lightweight fabric is a classic heatwave choice for exactly this reason: minimal fabric, maximum airflow.
Wide straps are more comfortable than thin spaghetti straps on warm days, and sleeveless or short-sleeved styles keep your arms free.
If you want to wear trousers: go for wide-leg trousers in linen or tencel. They can feel just as airy as a skirt, with the added practicality of a trouser fit.
Colour and print
Light colours reflect sunlight, dark colours absorb it. On a day above 30 degrees, that is not a small detail. White, ecru, light blue, soft pink and pastel shades will keep you noticeably cooler than navy or black.
Prints work well, as long as they sit on a light base colour. Floral or geometric prints on a white or ecru background are ideal for warm days.
Layers for in between
If you work in an air-conditioned office, you know the challenge well: you are melting outside and freezing inside. The answer is layering, even in summer.
A thin blouse or a light cardigan over a sleeveless dress or top gives you just enough coverage for cooled spaces, without making you overheat outside. Linen and tencel work well here too: light enough not to feel heavy, but enough to take the edge off the air conditioning.
What to wear at home without air conditioning
Without air conditioning, home can be the warmest place of all on a heatwave day. These are the most comfortable choices for those evenings:
A slip dress in tencel or silk feels like a second skin and keeps you cooler than shorts and a t-shirt in the wrong fabric. A lightweight wide-straps top paired with linen shorts is another classic for hot evenings. And when it really gets unbearable: pointing a fan at your ankles cools you down faster than aiming it at your face.
According to the Belgian National Crisis Centre, wearing loose, lightweight clothing that allows perspiration during extreme heat is one of the most effective ways to help your body regulate its temperature.
A few pieces that put this into practice
At Dressr Preloved, we have a selection of pieces that tick all of these boxes. They come directly from brand partners or from our own rental platform and have never been privately owned. Checked, washed and ready for the hottest days of the year.
The wide straps top is exactly the kind of sleeveless, breathable piece you can wear from morning to evening.
The tencel sateen slip dress combines the best fabric for heat with a silhouette that falls freely and lets air move.
And the reversible knee-length tencel dress is versatile enough to wear two ways, in a knee length that stays airy but looks put-together.
These pieces are available in one specific size. Our full summer collection runs from size 34 to 46. Use the size filter in the shop to see everything available in your size straight away.
Key takeaways
- When it comes to heatwave dressing, fabric is everything: choose tencel or linen and avoid synthetic materials
- Relaxed silhouettes keep you cooler than fitted ones, without sacrificing how you look
- Light colours reflect sunlight and make a noticeable difference on the hottest days
FAQ
What is the best fabric to wear during a heatwave?
Tencel and linen are the top choices. They breathe well, feel light against the skin and keep you noticeably cooler than synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon.
What should I avoid wearing in extreme heat?
Avoid dark colours, fitted silhouettes and synthetic fabrics. They absorb heat and reduce airflow, which means you will feel hotter much faster.
Can I still look stylish during a heatwave?
Absolutely. A lightweight tencel slip dress, a wide straps top with linen shorts or wide-leg linen trousers are all stylish and cooling choices. Comfort and style are not opposites.
What do I wear if my office has air conditioning but it is scorching outside?
Layer up: a sleeveless dress or top as your base, with a thin linen or tencel blouse or cardigan for cooled spaces. That way you are ready for both without carrying a full change of clothes.
How do I know if a piece at Dressr Preloved is in good condition?
Every product includes a clear description of its condition and any relevant details. All pieces are checked and washed before they go online.
Are there more summer pieces available beyond the three in this blog?
Yes, plenty. Our full summer collection runs from size 34 to 46. Use the size filter in the shop to see what is available in your size.
What makes preloved at Dressr different from buying second-hand?
All pieces at Dressr Preloved come from brand partners or our own rental platform and have never been privately owned by a consumer. They are always checked and washed before they go online.
Does a fan actually help during a heatwave?
A fan moves air but does not cool it. On the hottest days, pointing it at your ankles rather than your face helps more. And wearing the right fabric makes a real difference at night too.