Hi everyone
Another gap, but whilst I was away from this blog I was busily writing my latest piece for My Other Blog. Do have a look as it is not at all any kind of rant, instead it is an exploratory piece on the current political situation in the UK.
Now for my conversation with you about the weather and my need for summer dresses.
I started writing this blog at the end of May when we had our first heatwave. We are now on to the 3rd one and it’s only the beginning of July. That is unusual for the UK as heatwaves usually occur in the month of August. And btw, please remind me to never complain about the cold weather in the winter. Actually I so loved the temperatures in Norway, I love wearing layers of winter coats, winter hats, scarves, boots and gloves.
But you must know by now that we Brits love complaining about the weather. Even so, this is exceptional weather for us and, of course, there will, be more exceptional hot weather this year. There is, of course, a record-breaking El Nino (the natural climate phenomenon that developes in the Pacific Ocean) and while it should not be too much of an influence for us in Europe, higher temperatures around the world are here to stay. However, in the UK, it seems we are still stuck in the usual rut of not being prepared for the global rising temperatures that will come to all countries and all due to Climate Change.
Indeed, we are still obsessed with retaining heat in our housing stock and that, of course, is necessary as so much of our housing stock is old and not well insulated. But how do we prevent this type of housing from over-heating. A recent report from the University of Liverpool points out we are singularly under-prepared for these rising temperatures and I quote.
‘A large portion of the housing stock in the UK is unsuited to hot conditions. Around one in five UK homes (circa 4.5 million) currently overheats outside of heatwave events (Committee on Climate Change 2019) with smaller homes and top floor flats in urban areas most at risk.’
Also at risk are houses in built-up areas where combined with heavy traffic they are exposed to ‘urban heat island effects’. The irony is that building regs were amended in 2021, but these regulations do not apply to existing properties. Jeepers, you’d think…
It’s a good, solid, very readable and quite short report ending with the idea that the ‘conversations should keep going’. Oh I do hope that might happen instead of, what one sees increasingly, politicians washing their hands of anything to do with mitigating climate change. Net Zero? Ooh er, I don’t think so, not now. Well, excuse me, and OMG (sorry, language) but truly now is the time (what with the kerfuffle in the Strait of Hormuz) to rely far less on oil and go for greener ways of supplying energy and just possibly by doing that, reduce the rise in temperatures over the coming years so that my grandchildren live to my age – and just think about those last words.
Despite those tardy, and, I think, cowardly politicians who won’t do anything much these days to mitigate climate change there are many things we can do ourselves. But us Brits, we still love the sun coming into our houses. I still see the blurb in Estate Agent’s websites praising the fact that the windows in the house face south and so the house is full of sunlight. It’s a very odd thing for a Brit to change this mindset and as the day gets hotter to shut the windows and pull down the blinds to keep the sun out. Also it’s a characteristic of us Brits that as soon as the sun comes out we rush to the beach and take all our clothes off, when we should cover up and put on the sun block. I always put on factor 50+ now.
And that brings me to clothes! As you know the saying is: there is no such thing as bad weather, you just have to have the right clothing. How true, as I found myself in quite a predicament during the hot days of the first heatwave. When I got back from the cruise our flat was freezing with the interior temperature at 15C (58F). I rapidly started washing our cruise clothes and as I hung them up I also took out my summer clothes and had a very thorough rummage through these. Two summer dresses went straight into the charity shop bag and I was left with some smart dresses, and all of them made with viscose, which I thought would be OK for now, while I looked for some linen dresses later on. After it was only mid-May. And then the weather, all of a sudden, got hotter and – I didn’t have the suitable clothing!
However, my wardrobe is now totally devoted to summer clothes and I have acquired some new summer dresses – all bought at very reasonable prices.
You’ve already seen the yellow gingham dress, which I adore.
That was bought in a charity shop for only £20.
Then there is this linen dress below bought from the dress agency that I often go to. It cost £60 as it is a good brand and came with a separate fine cotton slip to wear underneath and prevent that see-through look one gets with linen.
The dress is remarkably cool to wear, but it is rather pale, and below you see me wearing it without my bold black sunglasses (or eye makeup) and not looking how I really want to. Remember I said in a recent post that I’d found my mojo re: clothes? Well this dress, that I am wearing here below, is not how I want to be perceived. So having worn it a couple of times, I now think the dress is on probation.
The whole effect is compounded by my flat hair. I washed it and just let it dry – which is a hot weather tip. After a shower it really cools one down if you just let the hair dry. But the flatness, no thanks!
The dress below is more like it, and was bought for £20 from my local dress agency. What about that blast-from-the-past, tie-dye effect!
I dithered a bit, as I thought the dress a little over the top, but then again I very much needed something to wear in the heat. And you know what, it is wonderful to wear in hot weather.
On the hottest day of the 2nd heatwave instead of being sensible and staying in, we had to go out and help our son buy a wedding outfit. Fortunately, the shop (Moss Bros) had air con, so that was fine, but going from the car to the shop and back again was ghastly – like walking in warm soup.
But the dress was just right. It is voluminous and the material swings and swirls around you creating a breeze. It looks big but it is cool to wear, so it’s a winner for wearing in hot weather.
This is the best of the three, I think.
Another hot weather tip. During our 2nd heatwave I put a very wet face flannel on the back of my neck. Yes, the collar of the dress began to get wet, but that cool, cold, wet area was bliss and kept my inner temperature down. A further tip is from time to time spraying a fine mist of water on your face. Btw, nothing beats an old fashioned fan – they really work.
As for our houses, we all know now, to shut the windows, pull down the blinds and put on the fans. I hanker though for the outside shutters so readily found throughout Europe to prevent the sun from touching the glass in the window. It’s not possible to do that where I live. But I feel a campaign brewing! Also I have been thinking about dual purpose air-to-air systems that cool you in the summer and provide heat in the winter. Not the expensive ones but the smaller variety. Fancy me saying I’m considering air con, but wow, if this continues…..
What other hot weather tips do you swear by? Do tell. In the south of the UK, we reach our highest temperatures this coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I know it’s nothing compared to other countries like India and parts of the States. It’s just we are not used to it so any help is much appreciated.
That’s all for now, keep cool and well.
Love PennyX
ceiling fans!!!!!!
Indeed yes! Thanks Shelia 🙂
Hi Penny,
My thoughts are with the people currently attending Wimbledon in London. I was watching one of the men’s matches on TV earlier today, and play had to be delayed because of a medical incident in the stands (probably heat stroke or heat exhaustion). Once the person was moved to a safer area for treatment, play on the court resumed.
I am not a heat person – if I have to go outside in hot weather, I make sure I wear a hat along with applying sunscreen. I also carry a water bottle with me to stay hydrated. I live in central Canada, and temperatures can fluctuate from the low 20’s (celcius) to the mid 30’s (25C is my limit for going outside). Our home has air conditioning, which is welcome on the hotter days.
Take care and I look forward to your next post.
Yes, Wimbledon! I too watch Wimbledon and wonder how those people manage to stay upright through the heat. I went once decades ago as a teenager with my school. It was exciting and I’ve never forgotten it.
But far better to watch at home.
Yes, always a hat and sunscreen, and water when out. We, as in us Brits, will have to think about air con, which I really don’t like as it pumps out a lot of heat into the surrounding area thus adding to the heat outside. However, somehow, we will have to adapt to this world of heat.
Thanks Cindy 🙂
Put wet flannels in the fridge before putting them round the neck.
Cool showers.
Put feet in a bowl of cold water.
The feet in a bowl of cold water is magic, done that and felt much better for it. A wet flannel also works well.
Thanks Margaret 🙂
Oh yes, the dress you wore to Moss Bros is just the ticket, swirly and able to create a breeze. My only tip for the excruciatingly hot weather is a portable air con unit, although I know they’re V Bad from a Net Zero POV. But now that I have one in the bedroom, I can sleep, which I found virtually impossible before.
We are off on our 3 week cycling adventure as you know and will be sleeping in a wide range of accommodation. Some of the pubs are very old with crooked stairs, and you just know it will be boiling hot when you get to the bedroom…..Yes, winter has a lot going for it. I would say it is now my favourite season.
That dress is amazing, mostly I think because it creates its own cooling system with the wafting as you walk and apart from the shoulders nothing touches the body. I shall try the pale dress with some brighter accessories because it is also cool to wear.
My friend has just bought what seems to be a very eco-friendly air-to-air system, one that doesn’t touch the radiators in the winter, but still does the job either cool air in summer and warm air in the winter. The heat it disperses forms as liquid and goes into the drains. Thought that very neat and it is nowhere near as expensive as air con. Made in China of course.
Yes, all holiday accommodation needs to have at the very least to have fans. Last year in Suffolk we went in good weather and the bedroom was very hot with no fan available. Do hope your holiday accommodation isn’t too hot. But I believe this heat is not happening further north. Hope you are in that area now.
Thanks Gail X
Oh I love the blast from the past dress! It’s very good! I love this weather to be honest. Finally warm! Well hot is more the right word of course. Stay cool!
That 3rd dress is by far the best as it almost has its own micro-climate created by the material swooshing around as you walk!
I love warm weather but not this type of hot weather as it’s so very humid. Mind you, the nearer the coast you get the cooler it gets, so the people living in the midlands have it worse.
But nice that you like it – enjoy the next few days 🙂
I love your tie dye dress, especially because it has longer sleeves. I hate having to put sunscreen on my arms (so messy), so generally I cover them up. I use factor 50 on my face and neck. It’s long sleeved cotton tees and linen jumpsuits/dungarees for me in this hot weather. The front of our house faces south so I keep the blinds down and the windows closed until it all cools down. Yes, I wish we had outside shutters too, as they do on the Continent. Cooling tip – wrap an ice pack in a teatowel and take it to bed with you; I’ve found that helpful on very hot nights. Stay cool! All the best, Penny xx https://pennyhampson.co.uk/
That 3rd dress is by far the best of the three as it creates its own micro-climate! And yes, I agree, it is so much better with its long sleeves. I too don’t like baring my arms in the sun, and that’s partly because the upper arm is where a melanoma was found by the Mole Clinic. It was on the back of the arm and I was so very fortunate that the Mole Clinic found it as I would never have done so myself.
Yes, to all the things you suggest including cooling down the bed at night – that’s a good one.
Thanks Penny 🙂
Even better – in the mornings, leave the curtains/blinds closed on sides of the house the sun is hitting, or will later. You can open them after the sun passes each side. The cooler it is inside to begin with, the less hot it will be in there later. At night, open everything you can for ventilation and then close and cover them first thing in the morning. Of course it helps a lot to have heavy or insulated blinds and/or curtains. Winters get below freezing here as well, so the insulation helps even more then.
Yes, to everything you suggest. I still hanker over those outer shutters that Europeans have. Recently in the car we passed some new builds in Lewes. They had black cladding all over and massive south facing windows – nooooo! The windows would have to have enormously long curtains and/or blinds at huge cost. Ridiculous!
I agree that insulation is very important but we have to go above and beyond and change to heat pumps for winter heat and summer cooling. I expect that will happen – eventually. Meanwhile the much cheaper air-to air pumps are something we are considering.
Thanks Jane 🙂
As In sit here on a Monday evening it is raining heavily and in the upper 60’s. Over the July 4th weekend, and a few days before we had extreme heat advisories here in the New York area, the whole East coast really. The temperatures reached well into the 90’s and even 100 or more. Then, on the evening of July4th, just as all the local towns were about to set off their firework displays, all hell broke loose. Thunder and lightning, torrential rain, high winds. I could see it from my window, I chose not to go to any celebrations this year, hoping to have something to actually celebrate in November. Besides, fireworks are terrible for the environment and scare domestic animals though my cat seemed unbothered. In several nearby areas power was lost, with downed trees and electric lines. The next morning I found a small tree on my front lawn, blown in from somewhere else. Perhaps Mother Nature has a message for us here in the US? I am lucky in that my house gets a lot of shade and I can tolerate heat better than many. I do have air conditioning but I keep it on higher temps, 78. which some might think is too warm. And much of the time I don’t use it, trying to conserve and the cost is high to use it.
I like all three of these dresses Penny. Even the one you are not sure about. It looks like it would be comfortable when it is really hot. I think a couple of your interesting accessories would perk it up. I like the idea of dresses in the Summer but have a hard time finding ones that don’t overwhelm me. Some of the companies which carried my size years ago no longer do. I still wear the ones which are several years old, so really I don’t have to purchase anything. Always happy to see your posts in my mailbox,
Love, Darby
We’ve been reading about the hot weather in the States and social media had several clips of the storm you had with the high winds looking amazingly high. I’m glad your house is well protected and you have air con and use it at that temperature. I am considering the reasonable priced air-to-air type of pumps. The majority of housing stock is so unprepared for the type of weather we are sure to get from now on. We will have to adapt.
You are right – as so many commenters have pointed out – some brighter accessories will make this dress work well. And yesterday I did exactly that. I had a bright orange handbag/purse and a large, and bright orange, silk scarf draped over my shoulders and it worked a treat.
I get what you say about not finding dresses for your size as all those dresses are long on me and I am 5’7″!
Thanks so much Darby X
I sometimes will put ice cubes on the insides of my wrists (wrapped in a cloth to prevent ice burn). The blood then is cooled and flows through your body. It’s a lot like your wet cloth on the neck. We are terribly spoiled in the US, but we pay for it every month. I’m sure our electric bill will be the highest ever.
Now, on to that second dress. I think you need a belt…something contrasting. If it’s too beastly hot for a necklace, what about a silk or cotton scarf in a vivid color that’s good close to your face. If you can stand to wear one, a big statement necklace would be wonderful. You just need to add some color to the outfit. Can you wear little strappy sandals? I have to be careful because of my foot, but lighter footwear would also look very cool. You could bring in some really bright colors there. Consider this dress a blank canvas and have fun with it before moving it on.
The big winner is that third dress! It’s so fun and fabulous!! I just love everything about it. I’m sure you got multiple compliments on it, too.
Ice cubes on the wrists sounds good. A cold cloth on the neck is amazingly good though. I am considering the type of pump that is just air to air and can be used for cooling or warmth in the winter but it’s not the main heat source. I think it’s the way to go for us. As a country we will have to adapt big-time.
And as for that 2nd dress – you are so right. Yesterday I tried it with a lovely little, mainly orange, necklace, an orange handbag/purse and a bright orange, quite large, silk scarf which I draped over my shoulders. Must take a photo as it was a transformation.
The 3rd dress is fab and creates its own micro-climate as I walk around. I did get compliments when I wore it!
Thanks Marsha 🙂
That tie dye dress looks perfect for the weather. And it’s a great color for you. I’m actually planning to wear dresses all week this week. While June was mild, July is much hotter. We do have air con in the house so it keeps it pleasant but the electric bill will be very high for this month!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
That 3rd dress is just right for hot weather. And dresses are the only thing that one can wear in hot weather, especially if they don’t touch the sides like that dress! It was a great find – thank goodness I bought it as I did dither!
Everyone here will have to adapt to the coming (maybe already here) weather we will get all the time. Eco friendly air conditioning like just air-to-air is a consideration for us.
Thanks Mireille 🙂
Hello Penny, I had been thinking of you and wondering how you were coping in the heat. We are having a fairly mild Winter so far with quite a bit of rain although this week has seen quite cold nights and mornings with a light frost but followed with beautiful sunny days.
It is forecast that with El Nino it will be a hot and dry Summer. We have a heat pump that keeps us warm in Winter and can be used to cool in Summer . As our house is Victorian era it is on the cooler side .
I agree the last dress is so good on you and does look so cool. The second dress is lovely but lacks contrast with your skin tone . Could you add accessories in darker colours , possibly some beads or a hat.
All the best , Jill
I am getting round to the idea of a heat pump, one that is air-to-air so isn’t the main source of heat in the winter but will cool rooms in the summer and warm them in then winter. Will probably install as the heat has come to little England big time.
That 3rd dress is amazing as it creates its own microclimate with the air created by the material swishing as I walk. I shall keep that for the hottest days coming Thursday and Friday. As for the 2nd dress yesterday I added an orange necklace, an orange handbag and a large orange silk scarf draped over the shoulders – that transformed it!
Enjoy your winter while it’s here, sounds nice. And of course I love your winter clothes.
Thanks Jill all the best to you and your husband who must be having his op soon. Best wishes for that 🙂
Definitely the third dress.
I have a hatred of all pastel colours on me. To be honest I don’t think many people whatever their age can/should wear them. But what to wear instead. Am I brave enough to wear a brighter colour.?
I have two daytime summer dresses both are navy. Another navy that is only fit to wear at home. People must think I am continually in mourning.
My usual summer clothing is shorts + t-shirt. Trying to wear nicer tops.
Planning to buy a mobile air conditioning unit next winter when more are available.
keep cool everybody
Sue
Oh I did laugh at the hatred of pastels – me too, most of the time! Anyway, yesterday I transformed that 2nd dress with an orange necklace, an orange handbag and a large orange silk scarf draped over my shoulders. It looked OK.
Yes, we’re doing some research on the best system for a flat. I think it inevitable now this hot weather seems set in.
Thanks Sue and agree, keep cool everybody 🙂
Love the tie-dye dress, Penny – it really suits you!
Regarding the pretty, but too pale for you, dress, have you thought about dying it? I am a great dyer of clothes if the style and shape is perfect but the colour isn’t. So easy to do in the washing machine! Have done it since I was teenager – my 93 year old father still remembers his underwear coming out pink when they got caught up in one of my dying hauls!
Or you could tie-die it!
Tie-dye, even!
😆
Instead of dyeing that dress, for two days now I’ve worn it with an orange necklace, an orange handbag and a large silk orange scarf worn as a shawl over my arms. That transformed the entire outfit and I must take a photo of it to show you all.
I remember well the tie-dye era – it was fun!
Thanks Helen 🙂
I love the tie dye dress agency dress and agree that by comparison the second dress looks pale, but have you tried some good accessories with it? Perhaps a bold necklace and matching bracelet in a strong colour e.g. navy, may possibly help it win a reprieve.
Agree with anything cold on the neck (or warm in winter) really helps. I always grow my hair longer in summer in order that I can permanently wear it up for several months.
Stay cool all
I did exactly that and teamed it with an orange necklace, an orange handbag and a large silk orange scarf worn as a shawl over my arms. The dress was transformed! Must take a photo to show you all.
And anything cold on the neck is brilliant – thanks Andrea 🙂
I love all of your dresses and your sneakers you are wearing with them, too. I think I like the last one the best. I have found that flowy clothing that doesn’t get too close to the skin is best. The wet neck trick works so well, too.
I hope you get some relief soon.