How I Survive the Summer Heat
In Europe without AC...
Much noise has been made online about the multiple heatwaves ripping through Europe this summer, leaving many Americans in disbelief at their European brethren’s lack of air conditioning.
Although there are several reasons why Europe hasn’t yet embraced AC to the same degree as the U.S., this article isn’t about Old World apologia. Instead, it’s about a very practical reality: how do you live in the midst of such heat?
Growing up in the U.S., summer heat was something I never really considered. I can’t remember ever planning my day around the weather in the same way I do now. In America, my list of considerations was short and simple: basically, as long as you don’t run around outside between 1-4pm , you’re set.
In Italy, however, it’s an entirely different story. Here, the weather can feel like a tyrant dictating your every action. You have to call ahead to see if a café or restaurant has AC. You have to go to the earliest Mass you can get to. If you want a respite from the heat, you have to drive up into the mountains for the weekend — but everyone else has the same idea, so everything’s overcrowded and expensive.
In my home, we have one AC unit in the main room of the house. Albeit imperfect, this provides at least a minimum respite from the oppression of all the heat out there. But of course, you can’t spend all day cooped up inside, so what do you do when you finally have to venture out into the humid Lombard summer?
Today, we look at the five things I’ve been leaning on as lifelines, and how they can help you stay cool and elegant wherever you are this summer…
1) Linen Socks
In a previous article, I wrote about coolest fabrics you can wear for summer socks. Of the entries on that list, linen has come out as my overwhelming favorite.
Without sacrificing too much in durability, linen socks remain surprisingly breathable. More impressively, however, they stay dry throughout the day, which is a major win on long afternoons spent outdoors. Even if you wear them knee-high like I do, you almost never notice them trapping heat on your body.
On top of all of this, the vibe of linen socks is simply unrivaled. I’ve been told that if you pair them with linen trousers, carbonara and Chianti taste 10x better.
P.S. —Want to know what shoes to wear with linen socks? Check out my article below:
The Ultimate Guide to Summer Footwear
When it comes to how to dress, summer complicates everything. All other seasons afford you a degree of flexibility: a tie, scarf, sweater, light jacket, overcoat, boots, etc. can all be used to add character and flexibility to your outfit.
2) Linen/Cotton Blend Shirts
These have been a real lifesaver for me this summer. We first covered linen/cotton blend shirts in this article, and since then I can’t help but repeat how much of a magic bullet they are.
In that first article, I provided the example of a short-sleeve camp collar shirt made of 55% linen and 45% cotton. Personally, I find this ratio strikes a great balance between structure and comfort in the heat. It works well in both casual and “formal” settings, too. I wear it as a dress shirt in the photo below:
When things get really hot, though, you’ve got to change the ratio a bit. The lightest linen/cotton blend shirt I own is 61% linen and 39% cotton, and it’s a lifesaver in the heat. It certainly wrinkles more, but that’s not your biggest concern when it’s 100°F outside.
Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from going 100% linen, but in my experience linen/cotton blend shirts are always the winning option. By making a small trade-off in breathability, you get more structure and versatility. That latter aspect lets you pair it with more garments in your wardrobe and wear it in a wider range of contexts, which often results in it being the more economical option as well.
But so far, neither of the first two articles on this list compete with the next one, which is easily my favorite sartorial discovery of 2026. The reason I love it is that it’s so paradoxical: despite adding another layer to your outfit, it helps you cooler in the summer heat…
