How to stay cute and cool for school

During the hot summer months, it’s easier to focus more on picking out an outfit that will help you stay cool rather than one that will keep you looking stylish.

With Tennessee weather’s unpredictable tendencies, the heat waves of summer can carry over well into the first few months of school, taking away from the excitement of choosing back-to-school clothes. However, there are plenty of trendy pieces out there that will keep you looking cute without making you burn up (as much) while you walk to class.

Dresses

This might seem like an obvious choice, but some people underestimate just how much better it feels to wear a dress in 90-degree weather than shorts or pants. When dressing for warm weather, the fewer layers you wear, the better off you will be. Whether it is a mini, midi or maxi dress, just wearing one article of clothing makes a huge difference when you’re walking around in the sun. This year, hi-lo hemmed, or “fishtail-hemmed,” dresses have become popular and can be found just about anywhere. The unusual hemline will add variety to your wardrobe while still staying true to the less-is-more philosophy of wearing dresses in the summer. This one from Forever 21 has a delicate butterfly design can be dressed down and worn casually to class with flats or sandals, but could still be worn with wedges and layered necklaces to give it a dressier feel.

Sheer blouses

While layering in the summer might not seem like the best idea, wearing a sheer top over a bandeau style bra can be effective if done properly. The trick here is to not make it look too skimpy; it will give that impression if worn with a regular bra, and that is not something you want when trying to impress your professors. This bandeau from American Eagle’s Aerie line serves the same function as a bra, but is longer in length and generally has more fabric to keep you covered. Most blouses will not actually be so sheer that everything will be visible, as the purpose of them is to generally create a silhouette feel. However, if sheer tops make you uncomfortable at first, it is always acceptable to wear a full camisole underneath, or try wearing high-waisted shorts that will meet where the bandeau ends. This blouse from Forever 21 looks great paired with shorts, but could also be draped over a floral bodycon skirt for a more vibrant and summery look.

Palazzo pants

In the summer, wearing any kind of pants other than jeans is automatically going to work in your favor when you’re going to be outside. The thick fabric of denim is not ideal for walking to class, but fortunately there are plenty of other options. Palazzo pants, for instance, have widely-hemmed leg openings and usually come with an elastic waist. The wide legs create more room for air to circulate freely, and the elastic waist pretty much speaks for itself; the less buttons and zippers, the better.  Another great thing about this style is that it is easy to find in fun patterns as well as solids, and wearing a bold pattern is an easy way to spice up your outfit. This polka dot pair from Forever 21 is a great example that can be worn simply with a white tank top and flats, or more dressed up with a white button down and a chunky necklace.

These are just a few ideas of clothes that can be summer weather friendly and keep you looking trendy. When you are on the hunt for end-of-summer clothes, keep in mind that anything loose and flowing is optimal, and that layering should be kept to a minimum. You really can have the best of both worlds, and it’s easier than you think—which will leave you time to worry about things that might actually be challenging–like your classes.