Along with all the glory that is summer fun, comes the summer heat. But the joy of wearing an amazing outfit to long end of year lunches, beachside brunches, and holiday parties doesn’t need to be ruined by sweat, discomfort, or frustration. You can enjoy the best of both worlds -- amazing summer style and feeling cool and elegant from sunup to sundown.

When Nicky first moved to Brisbane she was let’s just say “amazed” by the heat and humidity. Not one to let rising temperatures dampen her love of fashion, she quickly learned a few tips to help her maintain her personal style and feel fresh in the process. Keep reading to find out her best advice that will ensure the next few months are a little more bearable. And while you're at it, shop our humid-weather essentials.

Materials are everything when it comes to humidity. Synthetics are going to make your life miserable all-summer long. Cottons and linen on the other hand are going to allow your skin to breathe. But don’t think you’ll have to stock up only on lightweight singlets, dresses, and skirts (although, you’ll definitely want to have those options handy). Natural fabrics still allow you to cover up your arms for extra protection, look elegant, and keep your cool. Opt for long sleeves in natural fabrics, choose a range of colours and prints and pair them back with denim skirts, shorts, and loose pants.

Although like us, you may love (and live-in) black for a huge chunk of the year. It really helps to avoid dark colours on days it’s blazing outside. The good news is that white is not only light-reflective but incredibly stylish. We love to use summer as an opportunity to wear an all-white outfit and find it instantly updates and elevates our look. Bright prints are also great for hiding any sweat marks on those extra muggy days.

It might sound obvious but stick to cuts that fall away from the body. The less fabric physically touching your skin, the cooler you're going to be. However, flowy silhouettes don’t need to look or feel like hessian sacks. Look for silhouettes that have a nice detail like a flare, wide leg, neckline, or puff sleeve.

We know that heat escapes through our heads and our feet, meaning footwear can help you keep your body temp low. Our suggestion is to have at least one good pair of sandals for summer days, one pair of open-toed heels for nights out, and a pair of slides for the beach (as an Aussie, we’ve all been burned by a hot sand dash before). If you do need a closed-in shoe opt for canvas materials that still allow for some airflow.

As you can see, you don’t need to completely transform your wardrobe to beat the heat. A few simple cotton basics, open-toed shoes, some fun bright and light pieces, and flowy silhouettes can keep you looking gorgeous and put together for any summer occasion. Plus, many of these pieces are trans-seasonal and can be restyled for spring, autumn and even Aussie winter looks.