Thursday, July 12, 2012

Accessories that “Beat the Heat”: From Head to Toe

If your gym routine consists of running from an air conditioned office, to an air conditioned car, to an air conditioned home, then you are most certainly finding yourself in the dead of summer. Oh how we longed for these days in the chilly winter. But somehow are memory deceived us because we never remember it quite as hot, quite as sticky, and quite as annoying. Still, we are troopers, beating the sun and chugging on with our day-to-day tasks. In an attempt to make those days a little less stifling I’ve posted about outfits (here), beauty products (here), and hair-styles (here) to help keep you cool, calm, and collected.

Yet, I know what you're thinking, “Iris, but I don’t really want to change anything major. Isn’t there one or two quick fixes?” Of course there is, let’s talk about some essential accessories for beating the heat that well go perfectly with any of your ensembles. From head to toe:


Head:
Hats are an obvious go-to on days that seem all the clouds have disappeared. Avoid the urge to grab your predictable baseball cap or visor. With so many stylish options available for cheap prices (Target has a huge selection of cheap hats) there is no reason you can’t add a sun-blocking but totally chic headpiece. Don’t forget about functionality and purpose when you are eagerly selecting your hat of choice. The brim of the hat should be wide enough (at least 1 inch away from your forehead) to actually help block the sun and not just look stylish. Go for light, breathable fabrics like straw or cotton.



Eyes:
We all love how sunglasses make our outfits quickly transform to 50’s cool, urban chic, or movie star, but there are important features to keep in mind when picking your perfect pair. Did you know that if your sunglasses aren’t 100% UVA and UVB blocking it can actually HURT your eyes rather than help? Dark sunglasses that aren’t UV protective may cause damage due to the darkness of the sunglasses slightly dilating the pupils and allowing more harmful UV into the eyes.

Keep in mind that polarized lenses are the best for beating the sun because they also block out reflected glare. Consider wraparound frames because the frame is shaped to keep light from shining in from the sides and from above, protecting your eyes from all angles. In fact, studies have shown that UV rays enter around ordinary frames therefore reducing the benefits!

As if that wasn’t enough to get you to rock some ultra-fabulous but still protective sunglasses, they also help prevent cataracts and eyelid cancers. Say bye-bye to premature wrinkles too. Less squinting means less wrinkling around the eyes and forehead.




Toes:
One of the quickest ways to cool-off is to step out of those sneakers and put on a pair of breeze-inviting sandals. Every Florida girl can agree that if your closet is not 75% sandals then you are doing something wrong. Please don’t try the sandals plus socks combo. Not cute, ever. Plus, it defeats the purpose of beating the heat. Let your toes be free. You’ll have plenty of time to hide them during the winter. Don’t be shy and purchase your sandals in an assortment of colors and styles. Try to limit the amount of sandals with metal pieces. You don’t want your feet to be the cause of a wildfire due to sun reflection.




Want more helpful “Beat the Heat” tips? Check out below the other Sunshine State girls that have experience with dealing with crazy heat.

3 comments:

  1. Yes to all of these! I am never without my sunnies and a hat is definitely my go-to accessory.

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  2. What great accessories! I'm always wearing a hat and sunglasses in the summer!

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  3. Girls' dress shoes come in a few basic styles. The shoe may be round in the front with a small strap. It may also be open-toed, like a sandal. They may or may not have heels. Girls' dress shoes may have shiny or dull material and come in a range of colors and prints.

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