Heatwave chic

As Britain cranks up for a heatwave - something Brits certainly didn't get last year - I thought I'd mention in passing some tips for keeping cool:

First, log on to the NHS Direct site and take a look at the Government's advice. A lot of it is 'well doh', but it would seem that some people just don't have the sense they're born with. You'd think things like staying inside when it's hot, wearing sunblock, avoiding alcohol and drinking lots of water would come naturally, but apparently not.

I met some people today in the supermarket just before noon who had been playing tennis in this heat - they're in their 60s. Frankly, this is something I would just not do - leave it to the superfit likes of Federer. I get my exercise out of the way before 7.00am in this sort of weather.

If you can't get out, or have a relative who can't get out, note that the crucial temperature is 25 degrees - you need to keep vulnerable people in rooms at or below this temperature or you're at risk of heat stroke. Cold food, cold drinks, cold water sponged over the body several times a day, cool baths are all de rigeur. 

Back to fashion... Luckily, my days of commuting on overcrowded buses and the like are long-gone, but when I lived in London, here were the things I'd advise to try to stay cool:

* Never go anywhere without a bottle of water on you. You don't know how long you'll be. Suppose the bus breaks down, or the Tube, or you're stuck in traffic in a car. Always, always carry water. There's a huge variety of water carriers and light flasks nowadays - I favour the tin ones made by Thermos that hold about half a litre. If you don't enjoy drinking water, add a bit of orange juice or cordial to it. But whatever you do, keep drinking. How much? Enough to make your urine run clear. The downside, of course, is that you spend half your life in the bog.

* Carry a water mister, such as Evian, in your handbag. This is fabulous for spraying onto your face, hair or neck.

* Carry a cooling gel such as Witch Vera - again, this cools as it evaporates. 

* Carry cologne tissues or a small spray bottle of cologne. Not only does it cool - again by evaporation - but it also kills bacteria stone dead if either you or anyone around you is sweaty. Just be aware that cologne sensitises your skin to sunlight, so it undoes the good of a sunblock. 

* Carry a fan. I'm serious here. The day we got married was a bit of a scorcher but my maid of honour and I did very well with little cheap fans from a Chinese shop - their batteries don't run out, either. 

* Wear a hat to keep the sun off your head. 

* If you're inside, bare as much skin as is reasonable.

* If you're outside, cover up. My fave look is a big straw hat, shades, big white shirt with cuffs that I can roll down to cover my hands, and either a long linen skirt or loose drawstring trousers. Keeping the sun off your skin is far cooler than letting it hit you, and wearing a long skirt means that a: you can go without underwear if you prefer (which I do) and b: you don't stick to bus seats and car seats etc like chicken on a griddle. 

* Stick to colours like white, cream, pale blue and pastels and you'll look as cool as you feel. Pale colours not only reflect the heat better than dark colours, they actually lower your body temperature slightly just by looking at them. Conversely, avoid hot colours such as red, orange and bright yellows.

* Wear loose clothing - loose shifts, sack dresses etc. Tight clothes such as jeans, t-shirts, pencil skirts and belts can be purgatory in hot weather. Don't tuck your blouse in - let a little air flow - and choose a dropped armhole such as on a shirt sleeve to prevent pit stains.

* In general, choose woven fabrics rather than jersey, stretch or knitted items, which hold heat against your skin. The best is probably linen, but a good cotton also works well, especially something tightly woven such as lawn. Cellulose fabrics like cotton and linen are absorbent, and if you pick a weave like organdie, will also stand away from your skin. Organdie used to be the classic fabric for little girls' dresses exactly for this reason. 

* Favour canvas deck shoes or very comfy sandals such as Footgloves rather than formal shoes, especially if your feet swell in hot weather. If you have to wear formal shoes for work, hopefully you're in an air-conditioned building but think about more casual shoes for the commute. Invest in a pair of mules for summer just in case your heels blister. 

* Carry a biggish scarf, either oblong or square, in something like white organza or cotton. You can tie it to a handbag handle for a chic look, but it's invaluable for covering your neckline/shoulders/back of your neck or anywhere you might catch the sun during the day. 

* If you can take a spare blouse to work, keep it in the office fridge and change at lunchtime. I often used to shower at midday, where possible, or at least have a good wash, including feet, crotch and armpits, and reapply deoderant and talc. Same again if you're going out for the evening.  

* Wear your hair off your neck, pinned up in barettes or pony tail bands. A headband also works, and keeping your fringe off your face helps a lot in hot weather. 

* If you work in an air-conditioned building, dress for the heat, not the cold. Wear thin underlayers and keep a warmer top layer such as a jersey cardigan or pashmina in your desk for when needed. It can be a real shock to emerge from a 19 degree office to a street temperature of 30-odd degrees.

* Keep your makeup light and natural - it will only run off like an oil slick anyway. Body Shop papier poudre sheets are great to carry around to absorb any shine during the day. 

If you have any other tips, please send them in.