ABCDlady Magazine - for the American Born Confident Desi

Desi Diva

By Sasha Tong

Summer Secrets: How to Hide Tan Lines

Plus, Easy Ways to Keep Cool in the Heat

Q: It’s so hot! What can I wear to look stylish and professional at work while staying cool?

A: It’s no fun walking to work sweating and feeling miserable—or feeling cool on the street and looking too beachy at the office. The easiest thing you can do to beat the heat on the way to work is to skip the hose and wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe.

If you work in an ultra-conservative industry and must wear closed-toe pumps and hose, switch shoes just before entering your office building and only wear trouser length hose with pants, and knee or thigh highs with skirts. Keeping feet looking good in sandals with weekly pedicures, and fastidiously maintaining your shaving or waxing routine will keep bare legs in the office acceptable.

Wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe if it is acceptable at your office.

For clothing, natural fibers breathe much better than synthetics. Jackets made of a loosely woven fabric in a ¾ length or short sleeve work best. Another good idea is to look for portrait necklines in jackets and blouses. These are more open around the neck and shoulders, allowing you some much-needed ventilation. For bottoms, replacing pants with skirts will make a huge difference. Again, keep in mind natural fibers and go for an easy fit. Finally, wearing your hair up in a bun, twist or ponytail ensures you stay cool and fight the frizz.

Q: I’ve been hitting the beach a lot in different bikinis and now I have weird tan lines. What clothing can I wear to hide this?

A: First thing first: buy a strapless swimsuit top and the smallest, low-rise bottom you feel comfortable with. The only way to fix the problem is to establish one tan line that won’t interfere with any of your clothing. Until you can even out your tan, short sleeve, button-down cotton blouses or kurtis are your best bet for casual dressing. A long sleeved, tunic-length halter top would work well for evenings with pants or a skirt as it covers your entire midsection and all tan lines. For business casual, most wrap-around dresses effortlessly cover tan lines and look spectacular on any body type.

When you have tan lines, stay away from strapless anything and only wear your bikinis in the shade or with a regularly applied SPF of 40 or higher.

Hot Tips:

- Feet can also get strange tan lines from strappy sandals and flip-flops. Applying sunscreen to the tops of your feet before going out in bright sun keeps the strappy look on shoes, not on you.

- Remember to stay away from tank tops, anything with spaghetti straps or mini skirts as they’re too casual for the work place. Layers are the best way to dress for work and play.

- It’s common to see 100 percent natural fiber clothing with synthetic linings like acetate. To make those clothes summer friendly, have the linings removed or replaced with silk or a pre-shrunk silk cotton blend. Buying the replacement fabric yourself at a wholesale fabric store is less expensive than asking a seamstress to buy it. You’ll save money and ensure you get something you like that really works.

Prevent the "flip-flop tan line" by applying sunscreen to tops of feet.

Sasha Tong is a New York and Hawaii-based image consultant and freelance writer. She specializes in fashion, wine connoisseurship and modern etiquette.