What to wear in a heatwave
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When temperatures climb above 30°C in the UK, most wardrobes let you down. Clothes designed for a temperate British summer — cotton shirts, tailored trousers, structured dresses — become uncomfortable quickly. What you actually need is something designed for heat from the outset.
Kaftans are that thing. Here's how to wear them well when the mercury rises.
Why kaftans work in extreme heat
The kaftan's design is not accidental. It originated in climates far hotter than anything the UK typically produces, and the principles behind it are sound: a loose silhouette that doesn't trap heat against the body, wide sleeves that allow airflow, and a length that keeps the sun off your skin without adding warmth.
The result is a garment that is genuinely cooler to wear than shorts and a fitted top — because air circulates freely and your skin isn't absorbing direct sunlight through close-fitting fabric.
The key variable is the fabric you choose.
Fabric matters most
Cotton is the practical choice for a heatwave. It's breathable, absorbs moisture, and washes easily. Our cotton kaftans are made from carefully selected fabrics — from lightweight voile to printed cotton crepe — and are cut specifically for warm-weather comfort. The Palm Springs Cotton Voile Kaftan is among the lightest pieces we make. At £95 it's also the most accessible entry point to the range.
Linen is marginally less soft than cotton but breathes exceptionally well and gets better with wear. The Corfu Linen Kaftan is a strong choice if you want something with a slightly more textured, relaxed look. Linen creases, but in a heatwave that barely matters — and on a kaftan it tends to look intentional rather than dishevelled.
Silk is counterintuitive but effective. It feels cool against the skin, regulates temperature well, and is far lighter than its price point might suggest. Our silk kaftans are designed for warm-weather occasionwear, but in a heatwave the Seychelles Silk Kaftan or Mustique range work equally well as elevated daywear. If you're going somewhere that requires you to look put-together — a lunch, an event, an outdoor dinner — silk is the most practical choice that doesn't look like you've made concessions to the weather.
Avoid synthetics entirely. Polyester and viscose trap heat and don't absorb moisture. If it says "easy care" on the label, it almost certainly isn't suitable for 32°C.
What length to choose
Longer is cooler, counterintuitively. A full-length kaftan keeps the sun off your legs, which reduces the heat your body absorbs overall. It also means you don't need to think about sun cream on your lower legs.
Mid-length (knee to midi) works well if you're moving around a lot — easier to walk in, still allows airflow. Our cotton kaftans sit at varying lengths depending on the style; the Grenadines and Crete ranges are slightly shorter and better suited to an active day.
Colour and print in a heatwave
Pale colours reflect heat; dark colours absorb it. In practice, the difference is modest for loose-fitting garments where fabric isn't pressed against your skin — but if you're standing in direct sun for extended periods, a light blue, white, or pale pink cotton kaftan will be marginally cooler than a deep navy or black one.
Prints work well in heat because they tend to photograph well, travel without showing wear, and disguise the fact that you've been outside for six hours. Bold prints — the kind that would feel excessive in a British office — look entirely right when the temperature is above 30°C.
Practical notes for wearing a kaftan in a heatwave
Keep it simple underneath. A strapless bandeau or light shorts is all you need. The kaftan does the work.
Flat sandals or slides are the natural pairing. Avoid anything that closes around the ankle — in extreme heat, feet swell.
Damp fabric dries quickly. If a cotton or linen kaftan gets wet from perspiration or a brief shower, it will dry within minutes in this weather. That's a practical advantage over most other garments.
Hand wash and hang dry. Both cotton and silk hand wash easily and dry fast in warm weather. There's no reason to send either to the dry cleaner.
Shop heatwave kaftans
Browse our full kaftans collection, or go directly to cotton kaftans, linen kaftans, or silk kaftans depending on what you need.
If you're dressing for a specific occasion during the heatwave — a wedding, an event, a summer dinner — visit our occasionwear page or get in touch to discuss the right piece.