The Guardian's fashion desk has compiled a summer survival guide featuring 51 tips for coping with sticky days and sweaty nights. The advice ranges from clothing hacks, such as sleeping in a wet T-shirt, to beauty solutions like using blotting papers and anti-chafe balm.
Sleep and Cooling Hacks
Jess Cartner-Morley recommends soaking a T-shirt under cold water and putting it on when it's too hot to sleep. 'It's quite brutal and probably terrible for your mattress, but it's brilliant at cooling you down long enough to get some shut-eye,' she says. Chloe Mac Donnell suggests popping a frozen hot-water bottle, wrapped in a towel, in bed 10 minutes before getting in, but warns not to reuse it for boiling water.
Beauty and Skincare Tips
Melanie Wilkinson advises brushing perfume through hair to make fragrance last longer. 'Spraying your hair will make it last much longer. Don't spritz too liberally – the alcohol is drying and can irritate your scalp. Opt for the nape of your neck or spray your hairbrush, wait a couple of seconds for the alcohol to evaporate, and then brush through,' she explains. Lauren Cochrane recommends using Lush dusting powder to calm thigh chafing, while Sam Deaman suggests Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese blotting papers for oily skin. Chloe Mac Donnell uses Body Glide anti-chafe balm on toes and heels to prevent blisters from sandals.
Fashion and Accessories
Priya Elan advises checking that T-shirts are 100% cotton or a cotton-linen mix for cooler wear. Sam Deaman notes that men's big-personality shirts should have negative space around the pattern and muted colours to avoid being cringe. For beach days, Morwenna Ferrier recommends taking a linen throw instead of a bulky towel, and using a plastic bag of seawater to wash sand off feet. Ellie Violet Bramley suggests leaning into beach hair with Davines sea salt spray rather than fighting it.
Practical Gadgets and Tools
Cartner-Morley recommends a glasses care kit from Boots for tightening sunglasses, and a clickable bug-bite zapper from Boots to stop mosquito bites from itching. She also suggests cutting out labels from bikini bottoms to avoid them sticking out. Mac Donnell uses a packing cube for swimwear and a scuff mark eraser for hard-shell cases. She also swaps cotton bedsheets for linen to stay cool.
Footwear and Comfort
Teva Universal walking sandals are recommended by Cochrane for comfort and durability. For flip-flops, toe posts from Amazon can protect tender skin. Mac Donnell advises taking summer sandals to a cobbler for a Topy rubber sole to prevent slipping on cobbles. Sam Deaman insists trainers should be worn with ribbed socks sitting at least three inches above the ankle.
Sunscreen and Sun Protection
Altruist sunscreen SPF50 is praised by Morwenna Ferrier as a holy grail product, supporting charities for children with albinism. She also uses Ultra Violette Future Fluid SPF50+ for a non-greasy finish. Chloe Mac Donnell keeps extra sunscreen around the house and is pro-travel size for on-the-go application.
Travel and Packing Tips
Morwenna Ferrier packs a North Face waterproof and cinched-waist anoraks for tropical showers. She uses silicone travel bottles from Opret to squeeze out every last drop of shampoo. Chloe Mac Donnell uses a seven-day pill organiser for supplements and goes for a medical pedicure before summer to remove calluses.
