Even if you’re sweating buckets, it’s just going to slide off, right?
This week, New York City experienced its first heatwave since 2012, with temperatures soaring into the triple digits. Interestingly, many fashion enthusiasts continued to flaunt their unique styles, sometimes opting for heavy materials like wool, Italian suede, and silk—even if they weren’t the most breathable options.
While some New Yorkers enjoyed the heat by lounging in bikinis, others marched down the hot sidewalks as if they were on a runway, unwilling to trade style for comfort.
Ashley Renee, a hairstylist from Soho, was among those steadfast in her fashion choices.
“I know it’s hot outside, but I want to look hot too,” she remarked, sporting a $145 faux leather halter top from Hudson jeans, which are made from a suffocating blend of polyurethane. She paired it with self-cut H&M denim shorts, Michael Kors flip-flops, and a collection of vintage gold bangles.
How does she manage the subway commute in such heat without melting away?
“My secret is to slow down. As New Yorkers, we’re always rushing. But during a heatwave, we have the perfect excuse to take it easy,” Renee explained. She advised against hurrying to catch a train, especially if the subway car has no air conditioning. “If it’s hot, just wait for the next one.”
John Flowers, a resident of Staten Island, was also dressed to the nines in a vivid blue wool suit, paired with brown leather loafers, an oxford shirt, and a striped bow tie, as he waited for an express bus on Sixth Avenue.
“I’m dying right now in this heat,” the wedding and event photographer shared. “But I’d rather suffer a bit than not dress like myself. The bow tie, the suit—it’s part of who I am.”
He mentioned he could take off his jacket after work but added, “Honestly, I just love jackets too much. Weather isn’t the priority.”
To stay composed in the sweltering heat, Flowers suggests visualizing an icy environment: “Right before I walk out, I imagine I’m in Antarctica. It really helps.”
Lauren Holladay made a stylish appearance, emulating a steamy Katharine Hepburn as she sat on a stoop in Nolita, wearing a pink lace camisole and wide-leg pants from Aritzia.
As someone in fashion retail, she felt it was her duty to demonstrate that one can look fashionable in harsh conditions. “I wear a light top with heavy pants and hydrate constantly—matcha, iced coffee, water, you name it. This cute baby pink Stanley Cup chugger is my hydration companion,” she pointed out.
“It totally counts as an accessory!”
Barbara Skłodowska, a business consultant visiting from Warsaw, opted for a long floral maxi dress for a meeting at Rockefeller Center. “The big print camouflages sweat! It’s perfect,” she explained, emphasizing confidence in clothing over weather considerations. “In New York, looking good is essential.”
James, a finance intern donning tweed pants, echoed this sentiment: “I feel like I’m among the best dressed at the office. I won’t let the heat affect that.”
In Midtown, 23-year-old Mariah Fede sported dramatic eyelashes reminiscent of a Tim Burton creation. “I’m sweating like crazy, but I used wig hair glue, which holds strong,” she shared, dressed in an orange and white tie-dye dress with a matching headscarf.
Retired fashion executive Karen Segal casually advised against wearing heavy fabrics during the hot spells. Clad in a breezy sundress from Palm Beach, paired with a tote from Issey Miyake and chic sandals, she didn’t hesitate to champion open-toed shoes, declaring, “It’s 100 degrees! This is what you should be wearing.”
Jewelry? According to her, there’s no such thing as “too hot” for it, evidenced by the stack of gold bracelets and a dazzling engagement ring she wore.
