What to wear for hot flushes: breathable layers

Let heat out at the neck and the sleeves

Heat leaves the body most easily where fabric is open. A high band collar, a polo neck or a tight round neck holds warm air against the throat and chest, which is exactly where many people feel a flush first. A V-neck, an open shirt collar or a boat neck lets it escape, and you can still keep the neckline modest by choosing how deep it goes.

Sleeves work the same way. A close full sleeve wraps the arm in fabric. An elbow sleeve or a three-quarter sleeve with a little width at the hem lets air move up the arm, and a sleeve with some room is also easy to push higher when you need to cool down quickly. If you prefer covered arms, ask for a full sleeve cut wider than usual rather than a fitted one.

Fibres that breathe, and the ones that trap heat

Natural plant fibres absorb moisture and let it evaporate, so they feel cooler when you are warm and dry faster afterwards. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester hold sweat on the skin and can feel clammy for a long time after the heat has passed.

• Lawn and voile. Fine, light cottons that breathe well. See the lawn guide for weight and sheerness.
• Linen. Airy and quick to dry, though it creases. The linen guide covers how it wears.
• Cambric and soft cotton. A little more body than lawn, good for a top that should not cling.
• Viscose. Absorbent and cool to touch, but it can cling when damp and may shrink if washed hot.
• Polyester chiffon, georgette and satin. Pretty, but warm next to the skin. Keep them for outer layers, or ask for a cotton lining under them.

Layers you can take off in seconds

Dressing in layers only helps if the outer one comes off easily. Open-front pieces win here: a cardigan, a long open shirt, a light waistcoat or a kimono-style jacket can be slipped off at a desk or in a car without fuss. Our guide to a waistcoat or jacket over a kameez shows how these sit over traditional clothes.

Plan the layer underneath as an outfit in its own right, with a neckline and sleeve length you are happy to show when the top layer is off. A light lawn or cotton dupatta is also easier to lift away than a heavy one pinned in place. For hot climates, layering for modesty in summer heat goes further into keeping covered without overheating.

Colours and prints that hide damp patches

Light grey, pale plain silks and bright solid colours show moisture most clearly. Busy prints, mid-tone colours and textured weaves break up a damp patch so it is hard to see. Slubbed and dobby cottons are useful for this; dobby, slub and textured cottons explains what each looks like. Very dark plain colours sometimes show a pale tide line as they dry, so a dark print is often safer than a dark solid.

Ordering a cooler outfit made to measure

Clothes made to your measurements can carry a little extra room through the bust, upper arm and back so the fabric skims rather than presses against you. When you ask for a quote through custom stitching, say that comfort in heat matters most and list what you want: the neckline, a wider sleeve, side slits, no lining or a cotton one. Our article on ease explains how much looseness to ask for. Then send your details through the quote form, and we confirm the fabric and every detail in writing before cutting.