Even during a heat wave, a great summer wardrobe helps a woman look her hottest without sweltering. Try these seven summer fashion tips to stay stylishly comfortable in the heat.

1. Invest in Supportive Yet Concealed Undergarments

Because it’s customary to wear fewer clothes during the hotter months, it’s easier to see the lines and undergarments beneath. Visible panty lines and ill-fitting undergarments won’t flatter any outfit.

Invest in options like seamless panties to make sure that certain parts of your body remain fully concealed. Also purchase the right types of bras, like ones with adjustable and reversible straps, to get the right support that won’t show.

Whether you’re wearing a chic dress to a wedding or denim shorts and a blouse for a night out, create a seamless look with some shapewear for women. The right undergarments add support to elevate the look of your entire outfit.

2. Style Outfits With Flowy Pieces

Flowy pieces are forgiving to those who want to conceal parts of their bodies. Another positive note about flowy pieces is that they’re comfortable and chic at the same time. The key to executing a great flowy outfit is balance.

If you’re wearing a loose, flowy top, pair it with a form-fitting skirt or pair of shorts. If you’re wearing a flowing maxi skirt, wear a form-fitting blouse to balance it. If you choose a flowy dress, make the look even more flattering by showing some skin. Try a flowy dress that’s sleeveless or one with a flattering neckline.

While loose, flowy garments can be stunning and comfortable for the summer, it’s easy to get lost in all the fabric. By striking an intentional balance, you’ll prevent your outfit from overwhelming your frame.

3. Curate a Light-Colored Wardrobe

While black has a captivating appeal, dark colors absorb the heat. This will make you more uncomfortable on a hot day. Look for light neutrals like white, cream, beige and light gray. Add pastels like pink, sky blue, lavender, soft yellow and mint green. Light colors reflect the heat, so they’ll keep you cooler than dark colors will.

4. Add Height With Supportive Footwear

While flip-flops have their place in your summer wardrobe, don’t make them the first choice when you’re reaching into your closet. Level up your wardrobe by elevating your actual frame. A few extra inches help to make a look more chic.

Granted, 4-inch heels would be too much for the summer barbecue. Instead, wear a pair of wedge heels. Wedges are great because they offer support. They’re comfortable to wear, and they add height. Espadrille wedges are especially popular during the summer months. Whether you’re purchasing strappy sandals for a date night or a trip to the grocery store, look for wedges to elevate the look.

If you’re not in love with wedges, look for sandals with block heels. These tend to provide some extra support while adding height. No matter what type of heels you choose for your sandals, be sure to add gel insoles for more comfort and support.

5. Collect Comfortable One-Piece Options

Make the summer months as easy and breezy as possible by collecting your fair share of one-piece outfits. Dresses are one of the most popular one-piece options. Usually easy to put on, they can automatically make a woman look as though she’s been professionally styled. To make a dress more functional and fun, look for one with pockets.

Another one-piece option to consider is a jumper. Whether it’s a pair of denim overalls or a cotton jumper that features spaghetti straps and shorts, you can easily dress a jumper up or down. Wear it with heels or sneakers, and switch out your accessories. When your clothing is easy to throw on because it has only one piece, it gives you more ease and comfort in the summer heat.

6. Pick Breathable Fabrics

Always take time to read garment labels so that you know which fabrics they’re made of. Textiles make the biggest impact on whether you are comfortable or not.

Linen is a beloved choice for summertime wear because of its versatility. It dries fairly quickly, so it can handle humidity, rain and heat well. Always keep a few linen pieces on hand in order to comfortably elevate your look. Make loose linen pants or shorts, a linen dress and a linen button-down blouse some go-to pieces in your summer wardrobe. Other breathable fabrics to consider are cotton, chambray, jersey knit, rayon and seersucker.

7. Accessorize Wisely

While the sun’s UV rays damage your skin throughout the year, a sunburn can feel especially unbearable when in the sweltering summer heat. To feel as comfortable as possible, work some sun protection into your summer fashions by wearing wide-brimmed hats, visors and sunglasses.

If you’re wearing a dress, it’s OK to pair it with a baseball cap and sneakers. This is a great way to pull off the girly athletic aesthetic as you seamlessly mix it with your sun protection efforts.

As you shop for various summer outfits, look for fabrics that have sun protection woven into them. Even when wearing your summer crossbody purses, leave room for sunscreen lotions and sprays. When you’re showing more skin, you’ll be more comfortable if it’s slathered with sunscreen.

Take Inventory

Take inventory of your wardrobe now to see what you have and what you need. Put together a number of outfits so that you can see what you still need to get the most comfort, style and versatility out of your clothing. With creativity and these seven tips, you’ll be able to confidently and comfortably face the summer heat.