35 Plus Size Outfits for Women Over 40
By 40, the best outfits are the ones you forget about once they are on. Nothing creeping up, nothing pulling, nothing that looks tired by late afternoon. Below are 35 outfits for the days that actually happen — a wedding, a cold walk, a workday, a weekend brunch — each one complete from shoes to bag.
Start with four places on any garment: the shoulder, the sleeve, the waist and the hem. Check them in that order. Labels size so differently after 40 that the number on the tag means almost nothing. A hem shortened, a waist taken in, a belt loop moved — a seamstress does those jobs for very little money. Shoulders and sleeves are another story. They cost more, and they seldom look right afterwards. Get those two right and the rest usually follows. For more dresses to build around, our plus size dress outfit ideas sit well beside several of the jackets and coats in this list.
1. Tailored Blazer and Wide Leg Trousers Plus Size
Black from shoulder to floor, with one pale note at the neck. The blazer is crepe, cut to a single button. Its shoulder seam lands on the edge of the shoulder bone. The trousers are wide-legged, hemmed so they just brush the floor over low block heels. One dark line, top to bottom, is what stretches the figure.
An ivory shell lightens the neckline. A structured leather tote carries the workday. The only jewellery she wears with this suit is a fine gold chain at the neck and a pair of small hoops at the ears — nothing else, because the black-on-black suit is already doing all the talking. Meetings, client lunches — the set is the outfit, and the accessories only repeat it. Our plus size blazer outfit ideas roundup has more ways to wear one.
2. Wrap Dress with Block Heels Outfit Plus Size
A wrap dress fits by tying, not by sizing. That is why it suits so many bodies. This one is navy jersey, photographed as a mirror selfie. Three-quarter sleeves. A knee-length skirt with a small slit at the thigh. The waist lands wherever you tie it. A tiny snap at the crossover stops the V from gaping when you sit.
Nude block-heel sandals go underneath. A bronze clutch warms the navy. Gold drop earrings catch the light. Dinner date or wedding reception, it needs no change between the two. The jersey is heavy enough to fall cleanly and light enough to move in.
3. Dark Wash Jeans and White Button Down Shirt
The tuck makes this pairing. A white cotton shirt, one with a little stretch in it, goes into dark straight-leg jeans that sit mid-rise. The tuck is full rather than flat, so the shirt billows softly above the waistband instead of hugging it. One roll of the sleeves takes the shirt out of workwear territory and into something far more relaxed.
Size the shirt to the bust, then take the waist in. Button-fronts gape at the bust first. A braided belt goes around the waist. Tan slide loafers go on the feet, a long pendant hangs at the neck, and a cognac crossbody bag finishes everything off. School pickup, errands — ordinary pieces, each doing exactly one job.
4. Midi Shirt Dress with Espadrille Wedges
Some hot days call for a shirt dress instead of shorts. This one is cotton poplin at midi length. Poplin has a crisp hand to it, so the dress holds its own shape away from the body instead of clinging to it. A self-tie belt marks the waist loosely. The photo shows it in white at a farmers market. A straw tote hangs over one arm. Tortoiseshell sunglasses sit on top. Tan strappy heeled sandals below.
Check the button between the bust points first. If that button pulls, take the next size up and belt in the extra fabric at the waist. One gold bangle and studs are the only jewellery. The dress carries the look. Everything else stays quiet.
5. A-Line Midi Dress with Open Front Cardigan
Two long lines down the front — that is what an open cardigan gives an A-line dress. The dress is sleeveless, burgundy or teal, a midi that falls straight instead of hugging. Over it sits a fine-gauge cardigan in oatmeal or dove gray. A chunky knit would add width at the hip. The thin one falls and disappears.
A pendant draws the eye upward. Suede ballet flats go below, a medium satchel over the shoulder. Office to dinner without a single change. A layered look passes when nothing needs removing, and here nothing does.
6. Black Jumpsuit with Statement Necklace Plus Size
A gallery opening, then a birthday dinner, in one piece. A black wide-leg jumpsuit manages both, provided the fabric is right. Crepe or ponte keeps its shape all day. Thin jersey sags and shows every seam beneath. Before buying, check the torso length. A jumpsuit short in the body tugs every time you sit down.
Hair worn up suits the V-neckline best. A statement necklace sits at the collarbone. Black pointed heels show under the hem. A box clutch goes in hand. One piece does the matching. The necklace is the one deliberate decision.
7. Camel Wool Coat with Black Turtleneck Winter Outfit
Cold mornings start with the coat. On a cold morning, a camel wool coat with a tie belt brings warm colour up beside the face, and the knee-length cut keeps the line long. Everything under it stays narrow. A black fine turtleneck. Dark indigo jeans. When you try it on, cross your arms while it is buttoned over a sweater. Most women size a coat to the bust and forget their upper arms need room too.
Leather ankle boots on a stacked heel, with a rubber sole under them, are the practical choice for wet pavements and cold streets on a winter morning. A plaid blanket scarf goes around the neck for warmth, leather gloves go on the hands, and a structured satchel hangs at the side — the three pieces that finish the picture. Camel against black is the whole colour story. Nothing else competes with it.
8. Floral Maxi Dress with Denim Jacket Plus Size
Spring weather that cannot decide calls for a cropped denim jacket. On a spring morning, the jacket goes on open over a navy floral maxi dress. It ends at the hip, so the shape of the dress shows through instead of hiding away under heavy fabric. Stiff denim gives nothing across the back, so the jacket has to let your arms swing forward freely. The photo shows the pair on a park path, the dress moving and the jacket open.
White leather sneakers turn it into a full walking day. A cream crossbody bag hangs at the hip and simple hoops sit at the ears, keeping everything else in the outfit low-key. Market in the morning, long lunch after. The dress moves, the jacket comes off when the sun appears, and nothing in between needs changing.
9. Silk Blouse and High Waisted Trousers Plus Size
The fall of the fabric is what you are buying in a silk blouse. A draped front adds soft folds that lie over a fuller bust instead of stretching tight across it. In the photo the silk looks like a soft taupe. The trousers are high-waisted charcoal, cut tapered through the leg, and the blouse goes in with a loose half-tuck, the silk falling softly over the waistband instead of hanging straight. Nude pointed flats go below. A slim gold watch goes on the wrist and pearl studs at the ears. The taupe top-handle bag in her hand is the piece that pulls the outfit toward networking lunches and quiet afternoons.
Silk shows damp patches, so if you run warm, look for a good polyester crepe de chine instead. It falls the same way and washes far more easily, and the drape is what matters most. Buy whichever version holds the fall. The fibre matters less than the way it hangs.
10. Pleated Midi Skirt and Cashmere Sweater Outfit
Where the pleats start to open is everything in a pleated skirt. The pleats here are stitched flat for the first few inches under the waistband, and only open once they are past it. They release over the hip instead of flaring at it. The skirt is a mauve or dusty blue pleated midi. A cream cashmere crewneck goes with it, tucked in at the front. Soft and warm, with no bulk anywhere. The photo is a mirror selfie in a gallery, the pleats catching the light as she stands.
Cashmere pills where a bag strap rubs. Keep a sweater comb handy. Metallic pointed flats go below. A compact crossbody hangs at the hip, a chain bracelet and small hoops finish the wrist and ear. Museum or lunch — the pleats do the work quietly. Nothing else needs to shout.
11. Structured Shift Dress for Plus Size Women Over 40
Ponte is the reason this dress travels so well. The fabric is a double knit. It is thick enough to smooth the body, and it holds its shape instead of clinging. It shakes out of a suitcase without creasing. The colour is charcoal or midnight navy. Bracelet sleeves and a bateau neckline finish the top. The photo shows it on a city street. An oxblood satchel hangs at her side and small studs sit at her ears.
The fit check that matters most is sitting down. A shift that rides up over the seat will do it all day. Low block pumps go below, a long pendant hangs at the neck. The dress is the outfit. The accessories only repeat its colours.
12. Dark Floral Wrap Dress with Heeled Sandals
In a garden, against green, this dress looks like evening even in daylight. The base is black or deep navy. The flowers are burgundy, rust and dusty rose. A darker ground does two jobs. It looks dressier, and it hides creasing after a long ceremony. The wrap sets the waist. The midi hem covers the knees while sitting. The print is small enough not to swamp the wearer in photographs.
Below, black suede heeled sandals on a slim strap. A small velvet clutch goes in hand, warm metallic drops at the ears. Wedding, anniversary dinner, spring cocktail party. Romance, held back just enough. For more dresses at this length, see our plus size midi dress outfit ideas roundup.
13. White Linen Shirt and Relaxed Chinos Plus Size
Linen creases. That is the deal, and the sooner you accept it, the better the fabric behaves for you. Starch only makes it stiff. The shirt is a white linen button-down. It is slightly oversized, worn untucked over the chinos. On a hot day it lets the air move around the body instead of trapping it. The trousers are sandy beige chinos. They sit mid-rise, and the slight taper below the knee keeps the shape tidy through the day. That taper keeps the shape tidy.
The photo was taken on a seaside promenade. Tan slide sandals below, a woven belt at the waist, a canvas tote over the shoulder. Round sunglasses and a simple gold chain finish it. Beach lunch, a day in a new town — pale, loose, and unbothered by the temperature.
14. Peplum Blouse and Straight Leg Trousers Work Outfit
Everything about a peplum depends on where its seam lands. At the natural waist, the flare falls over the hip. Below it, the flare falls across the widest point and adds width there. This one is blush pink with a round neckline. It goes tucked in. The straight black trousers drop cleanly from the hip to the floor. The photo was taken in an office lobby, a structured tote at her side.
Patent loafers go below. A slim belt goes at the waist, one bangle on the wrist, and pearl studs at the ears — the small pieces that finish the outfit. Pick a soft flare over a stiff heavy one. The soft version moves with you and lies flatter through a long workday, which is why it is the better pick. The peplum does the shaping, so everything else can stay plain.
15. Sweater Dress with Knee High Boots Plus Size
The boots are the decision in this outfit, not the dress. A ribbed sweater dress in charcoal or chocolate brown, dense enough to hold its shape, with a side slit for walking. None of it works unless the knee-high boots fit the calf. Measure at the fullest point before ordering. The photo shows wide-calf boots in black suede with a low block heel, making one long line with the dress.
A pendant hangs at the neck. A black tote goes over the shoulder, a felt hat or beanie on top. The long line from dress into boot is what makes the outfit look considered rather than just warm. For more cold-weather boot pairings, see our plus size boots outfit ideas collection.
16. Chambray Shirt and White Wide Leg Pants Outfit
Chambray has the look of denim but the weight of shirting cotton, which is why it is made for warm days. That is why it suits warm days. The shirt is a faded chambray button-down. It goes loosely into the high-waisted white wide-leg trousers, for a clean blue-and-white look. Check the white in daylight first. It needs lining, or a fabric thick enough to hide pockets and underwear. The photo was taken on a rooftop terrace, blue against white, clean and cool.
Tan flat sandals go below. A brown woven belt sits at the waist, a canvas tote over the shoulder. Sunglasses and a thin gold anklet add the sparkle. Market, outdoor lunch, rooftop evening — the outfit is light enough for all three.
17. Ponte Pants and Longline Cardigan Plus Size Outfit
Take the same pieces without the cardigan and they look like staying in. Add an oatmeal longline cardigan, worn open, and suddenly there are two long vertical lines and an outfit. The pants are ponte in espresso or black. Thick, supportive, sleek. A scoop-neck white tee goes underneath. The photo is a mirror selfie, and the leopard calf-hair loafers are the single pattern in the whole look.
A cognac hobo bag goes over the shoulder. A long pendant hangs at the neck and warms it up. One warning: look at the ponte at the inner thigh. Cheaper versions pill there within a season, so spend a little more on the ponte if you can. Comfort, with the cardigan doing the work of making it look deliberate.
18. Tiered Maxi Dress with Flat Sandals Plus Size
Sunset, by the sea, a coral tiered maxi and a straw circle bag. The photo sells the dress before a word is needed. The tiers are what make it work on a fuller figure, but only if they start low. A first seam under the bust stacks gathers over the stomach. One starting at the hip lets the dress swing and fall straight. Adjustable straps and a square neckline finish the top. The straps need to hold bra straps underneath them.
Flat tan sandals go below. Shell drop earrings hang at the ears. Coastal trip, sunset dinner — the tiers give the dress its movement, and the flats keep it firmly on the ground.
19. Leather Leggings with Oversized Tunic Sweater Plus Size
The contrast is the whole idea: matte leather below, soft knit above. The leggings are faux leather with a high, wide waistband. They shine less than a narrow elastic would, and they hold the stomach better through a long evening. The tunic sweater is cream or heather gray and oversized. It falls to mid-thigh, covering the seat. The two textures against each other are what make the look deliberate rather than accidental.
Keep it for cooler evenings. Faux leather does not breathe. Below, black suede ankle boots on a chunky low heel. A long chain hangs at the neck, a black tote over the shoulder. Concert or casual dinner. The photo is a taller frame than the others, taken on a city street, and from a distance the leggings look like trousers. That is exactly the point.
20. Fit and Flare Dress with Low Heel Pumps Plus Size
In a garden, the skirt in full swing. This emerald green fit-and-flare dress is photographed mid-turn, and the shape is the whole story. The bodice fits at the narrowest part of your torso. From there the skirt releases and moves as you walk. The bodice is where the fitting happens. The waist seam has to hit your waist. The bust darts should point at your bust, not above it.
A solid jewel tone with short sleeves. Nude kitten heels go below. A slim patent belt goes at the waist, a small top-handle bag in the hand, and pearl drops at the ears. Garden party, daytime wedding, birthday — the dress does the shaping, the belt marks it, and nothing else needs deciding.
21. Utility Jacket with Knit Midi Dress Plus Size
Days when the weather cannot make up its mind call for a jacket with structure and a dress with give. The olive utility jacket is cotton twill, hip length. It gives the soft gray knit midi underneath the shape it lacks. The hip length keeps the waist visible. Pick a heathered gray with some weight. A smoothing slip goes under it if the knit clings at the stomach.
For a day that starts at the market and ends at a rooftop table, white leather sneakers keep the whole outfit grounded in daytime. A neutral canvas backpack goes over the shoulder, silver hoops at the ears. A day with many stops. The photo was taken on a park path, jacket open, dress moving — an outfit for walking, not posing.
22. Navy Blazer with Striped Tee and Cropped Pants
At a marina, boats behind her, the outfit is navy on navy with one striped panel down the middle. Horizontal stripes are easiest under an open navy blazer. A Breton tee goes underneath it. The blazer covers the sides. Only a narrow vertical strip of stripes shows down the middle. That reads long rather than wide. The trousers are cropped navy, ending above the ankle bone. Skin shows before the tan suede driving loafers.
A woven belt sits at the waist. A cream tote goes over the shoulder and ties the colours together. Office meeting or waterfront lunch — the stripes are the brave part, and the blazer is the safety net.
23. Kimono Cover Up with Black Tank and Dark Jeans
Colour without a fitted top. That is what a printed kimono is for. The base is plain and dark: a black tank, dark wash skinny jeans. Over it goes a kimono. The print is an abstract floral or paisley in navy, rust and cream, and the hem ends at mid-thigh or knee, which keeps the frame long. Shorter than that and it draws a line across the hip. Longer and it lengthens the whole frame.
The photo was taken at a market, the kimono open and moving. Flat black gladiator sandals go below. A pendant hangs at the neck, a few thin bangles at the wrist, a black crossbody over the shoulder. Dinner or a market — the print does all the talking, and the dark layers underneath just hold the frame.
24. Belted Shirt Dress with Ankle Strap Sandals
The belt loops are the detail to check in a shirt dress. They should sit at your waist, not the maker’s average waist. A seamstress moves them in minutes. This one is rust at midi length, self-fabric belt tied at the waist, sleeves rolled to the elbow. It was photographed on a café terrace, the belt doing the shaping and the dress doing the rest.
Below, tan ankle-strap sandals on a low block heel. A rattan crossbody hangs at the hip, tortoiseshell sunglasses on top, small gold hoops at the ears. Brunch, shopping, a casual afternoon shower. Through the season, this is the dress you keep reaching for. It asks nothing of you, and it gives back a finished look.
25. Cropped Wide Leg Pants and Linen Tunic Top
Palms behind her, a sun hat on. This is resort dressing at its simplest. High on the waist sit the cropped ivory linen wide-leg pants, cut for a clean resort line under the palms. They stand away from the body. A sage linen tunic falls over the hip with an open collar. Linen on linen creases fast. For a long dinner, make at least one of the two pieces a linen blend instead. Hold ivory linen up against your skin in daylight before you buy it. It can be sheer.
Metallic flat sandals go below. A leather-trimmed straw tote hangs over the shoulder, wooden bangles at the wrist, stone drops at the ears. Pale, loose and cool: the whole point of resort dressing, in two pieces.
26. Velvet Blazer with Satin Camisole and Dark Denim
Light on velvet is the whole event. The blazer is fitted black velvet with one button, cut close through the body. It catches the light. Underneath, a champagne satin camisole with lace trim glows against dark rinse skinny jeans. The jeans are what keep the outfit from going formal. The photo is a mirror selfie, the blazer lit and the camisole bright beneath it.
After wearing, hang the blazer up. Steam it from the inside rather than pressing it with an iron. Velvet crushes where you lean on it. Black ankle-strap heels go below. A beaded clutch goes in hand, smoky crystal chandelier earrings at the ears. Cocktail party, concert, celebration.
27. Long Cardigan Over Tank and White Jeans Plus Size
The cardigan is doing the brave work in this outfit. Slim white jeans in dense stretch denim — heavy enough to smooth, where thin white denim would show every pocket and seam — with a black tank. Over both goes a heathered charcoal ribbed cardigan. It falls past the hip, making long dark lines down each side of the body. The photo shows it on a leafy street, the white against the charcoal looking clean.
Black ballet flats go below. A woven crossbody hangs at the hip, a silver pendant at the neck, a thin leather bracelet at the wrist. Wash white denim inside out. Wash it alone, or it turns gray over time. The cardigan lets the white jeans in without letting them take over.
28. Ruched Midi Dress with Duster Vest Plus Size
Ruching is the clever part of this dress. Folds gathered across the middle disguise the stomach better than any smooth panel can. They have to run along the side seam. If they pull to one point, they draw the eye there instead. This one is plum or midnight blue with elbow sleeves. An open black crepe duster vest hangs over the dress, cut long and loose down to the knee. Together they make one long vertical column. The photo was taken in a gallery, the plum against the black looking rich and deliberate.
Black suede heeled ankle boots lift the whole outfit into evening territory. A metallic clutch goes in hand, a bold cocktail ring on the finger, small crystal studs at the ears. Evening events, gallery openings, a dinner party — the ruching hides, the vest lengthens, and the two together look finished.
29. Tweed Jacket and Black Ponte Pants Plus Size
The jacket is tweed with a metallic thread. It is the classic Paris look, brought into a modern wardrobe for lunch and networking today. The cut is boxy and cropped. A fuller figure needs the jacket to end at the waist or just above it — any lower and the cut stops working. Stop mid-stomach and it cuts across the widest point. When you try the jacket on, wear the top you will actually wear underneath it, not a different one. Here the shell underneath is white silk. Black patent slingback flats go below, slim straight black ponte pants above them, and together they keep the base plain and quiet, so the tweed does all the talking.
A quilted chain-strap bag goes over the shoulder. Pearl cluster earrings go at the ears. Luncheons or networking. The photo was taken in a courtyard with the tweed catching the light. The jacket is the statement. Everything under it is deliberately quiet.
30. Printed Palazzo Pants and Solid Color Tank Top
The pants are the whole outfit here, and the tank knows it. Palazzo trousers in a bold print — large tan-gold leaves on a black ground in the photo — are joyful to wear. On a hot day, the width keeps them cooler than any slim trouser could ever be. Keep the print scale large. Small busy prints on wide pants end up looking like pyjamas. The tank is plain black. It is tucked in cleanly, so the pants lead the whole outfit.
Flat black slides go below. A black straw clutch goes in the hand. Big sunglasses go on top, and the earrings are picked from the print. Resort dinner, summer party, anywhere colour is welcome — the trousers carry the look and the rest of it gets out of the way.
31. Denim Jacket Over Striped Maxi Dress Plus Size
Stripe width is the decision in this outfit. Narrow stripes lie flatter and look calmer. Any stretch across the bust or hip gets exaggerated by very wide ones, so they are harder to wear. The dress is black-and-white horizontal stripes in cotton jersey, cut loose through the body. It has a little weight so it does not cling, with a side slit. A medium-wash denim jacket sits over the shoulders for structure. The photo shows it on a country road, white canvas sneakers below and a canvas backpack over one shoulder.
A silver cuff is the only jewellery. Day trip, market morning. When the day warms up, tie the jacket around your waist for the afternoon instead and carry on. The stripes do the pattern work. The denim does the structure.
32. Classic Trench Coat and Midi Slip Dress Plus Size
The trench is the architecture and the slip is the softness inside it. The trench is double-breasted and cut in stone or khaki. Under it, a champagne or blush slip dress. On a full bust, try the single-breasted version too. It lies flatter. If you would rather not define the waist at the front, tie the self-belt at the back instead and let the coat hang open. The slip should be cut straight with some ease. Bias-cut slips cling.
Nude strappy heels go below. A small structured bag goes over the shoulder, pearl drops at the ears. Spring wedding, dinner date — the photo shows the stone trench open over the champagne slip in a garden, the coat framing the dress instead of hiding it.
33. Suede Moto Jacket and Floral Midi Dress Outfit
Autumn, a city street, suede glowing against a dark floral print. The jacket is caramel or tobacco suede, cut as a moto. It gives a floral midi some edge, and it does so without fighting the dress. Go for a dark dress with small muted flowers. The jacket should end at the high hip with little hardware. Before its first outing, spray the new suede with a protector. Brush it once it dries. Suede darkens when it gets wet.
The stacked-heel ankle boots are brown, and they tie the leather of the jacket to the leather at your feet. A matching saddlebag goes over the shoulder, gold jewelry warms the whole thing. Fall date, concert — the jacket is the attitude, and the dress is the romance.
34. Embroidered Tunic and Black Leggings Plus Size
One outfit, three different days: sightseeing, poolside, dinner. The tunic is white embroidered cotton, with stitched colour at the neck and cuffs, made for warm weather. It falls to mid-thigh, covering the seat, and it stays cool in the heat. The leggings are full-length black, with a high, wide waistband that holds them in place. They stay put through a long day of walking and sitting. Cotton breathes in heat. Pack two of them for a trip, because white tunics show sunscreen marks by the end of the first day.
Flat black sandals go below. A straw tote hangs over the shoulder, beaded earrings at the ears, round sunglasses on top. The photo was taken at a market with the tote over her shoulder. It rolls into a carry-on and comes out ready. That is the whole point of a travel outfit.
35. Black Ponte Sheath Dress with Sleeve Detail Plus Size
The sleeves are what turn this dress into an evening dress. Every wardrobe needs a black ponte sheath at its centre — the piece everything else hangs on. The sleeves are three-quarter bishop, with a soft puff at the shoulder, cut to sit just so. They add a little width up top to balance wider hips, over a bateau neckline. Ponte smooths the body without restricting how you move in it. The photo shows it at a gala, a silver clutch in hand and a Christmas tree glowing behind her.
Black suede pointed pumps go below. A silver clutch goes in hand, a crystal cuff on the wrist. Sweep the hair into a low chignon for the gala and the neckline shows properly, with the focus staying on the sleeves and the earrings. Cocktail hours, holiday parties, a gala — the dress is the whole evening, and it knows it.
Fit, fabric and proportion matter far more after 40 than any rule about age. A good place to start is three pieces — one ponte dress, one wrap dress, and a tailored blazer with wide-leg trousers — and the rest of the wardrobe grows around them. Add the softer floral and denim pieces around them. A small alteration on the first two pieces changes how they feel every single time you put them on. The clothes are there to serve you, and the fit is what makes them do it.
Pro Tips
- Fit the shoulders and sleeves first, alter the rest. A hem shortened, a waist taken in, a belt loop moved — small cheap jobs. Fixing shoulders and sleeves costs more than any other alteration, and it rarely looks right after — so fit to those first when you try things on.
- Choose layers you can open. Cardigans and kimonos come off in seconds when you warm up on a long day. So do unbuttoned blazers and dusters — and none of them leaves you standing in something too bare. A sleeveless shell under a jacket is easier than a long-sleeved knit.
- Match the fabric to the length of the day. Ponte, crepe, linen and jersey each behave differently by evening. The outfit that looks crisp at noon is not always the one that still looks crisp at 8 p.m.
- Three pieces, then stop. One ponte dress and one wrap dress, worn on their own or under a jacket, cover more days than a closet full of almost-right pieces ever will, and they pack better too. Add a tailored blazer with wide-leg trousers and the three of them do the work of a whole wardrobe. Alter the first two and the whole wardrobe lifts.
- Keep pale silk out of hot days. On days you expect to warm up by the afternoon, reach for darker or printed fabrics instead. They hide damp patches far better than pale silk ever will. Heat escapes through cotton, linen, silk and viscose. Polyester linings and shapewear hold it in.