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THE EXECUTIVE LIFE
BEAUTIFICATION	WOMEN'S SUMMER FASHION	YACHTING

WOMEN'S SUMMER FASHION

You don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style

In the searing heat of a Cairo summer, the temptation to throw your professional dress code out the window can become a force to be reckoned with. No doubt, keeping up professional appearances while dealing with traffic jams and un-air-conditioned taxis is a challenge. But image, especially in the workplace, is always important – regardless of the temperature.

First off, as a rule of thumb, keep your clothes on. This world is full of challenges to working women seeking to climb up the corporate ladder; there’s no need to detract from your intellectual attributes by giving a skin show at work, no matter how hot it is (the weather, that is, not the skin show).

Regardless of what the woman at the other desk is wearing, and how relaxed your office environment seems, avoid tank tops – especially ones involving lycra. That said, a cotton-blend tank along with a light blouse can work well. Sleeveless silk blouses that show the arm – but no shoulder or cleavage – are another option.

But be warned. The oh-so-light silk that looks and feels so nice fluttering in the wind doesn’t work so well without a cool breeze. As soon as you break a sweat, as you’re bound to in the summertime, it will cling to the skin, resulting in what I like to call simply – horror of horrors – “the dampness.”

While it may seem logical to wear as little clothing as possible, investing in a few neutral-colored, all-cotton tank tops to wear as undershirts (yes, really) can actually work quite well. These tend to absorb the dampness, leaving your outer layer looking relatively crisp and fresh.

Another word to the wise: synthetics – of any kind – are to be avoided. They don’t “breathe,” and they have a disturbing tendency to get quite rank-smelling at the first hint of perspiration.
Along the same lines, forget about wearing panty hose.

If you are not confident enough in your bare legs to wear short-ish skirts, longer, billowing skirts are a terrific alternative for a number of reasons. Firstly, the gypsy look is in this year – and as long as you don’t go overboard with the flounces, it can certainly work in the office.

Secondly, when you walk, a light skirt swinging around your legs acts as a kind of fanning device – you become your own wind machine.

Finally, such skirts are both easily found and inexpensive, available in both upscale boutiques (for about £E 75) and Boulak’s Wikalat Al Balah (for about £E 35).

The good news this summer is that linen is making a comeback, and for the first time, the high-quality stuff seems to have made it to the Cairo market. Gone are the days when Cairene linen was synonymous with the scratchy, rough and not-at-all pliable texture of a potato-sack. Today’s khitan is the soft stuff, meant to be worn rumpled – perfect for a suave, casual look. And it’s quite cool as well, climatically speaking.

Linen tunics are all the rage this year, and all kinds of styles are available, most for between £E 75 and £E 125. But be careful – while linen gets softer with washing, it also tends to shrink. It’s also a pain to iron. Remember that linen should be ironed inside out, as it takes on a shiny appearance on the side that is ironed, which detracts from its appeal.

Best to save the white linen for special occasions that don’t involve getting into grimy taxis.

While finding linen tunics is easy, it is harder to find linen trousers for women. My advice? Hit the men’s stores. Men’s linen trousers come in a much wider range of sizes and lengths than women’s do, and the waist can be easily pinched in by a tailor for a custom fit. Expect to pay upwards of £E 115 for a quality pair, like the ones sold at Shock, which has multiple outlets throughout Cairo. (This store also sells very nice cotton trousers with a blousy, light feel and a casual but professional look.)
Mobaco and Mix & Match are also both good sources of linen for men and women. The latter has its own line of linen clothes designed for women, replete with hand-embroidered detailing, with prices starting at around £E 200. These stores also have numerous outlets scattered throughout the city.

And as the summer begins, another cool fabric has made an appearance: cotton gauze. This loose-woven fabric has an elastic quality and a made-to-look-crumpled appearance that make it a perfect choice for summer. It’s light without being see-through, while the dampness is virtually unnoticeable.

Currently, hippy-inspired tops and tunics seem to be the extent of the cotton-gauze selection, but when paired with classic cotton or linen trousers, they can actually make quite a smart ensemble. Downtown’s Chateau has a variety of nice gauze tops.

Finally, keep the accessories light during the summer, and avoid clunky bracelets that tend to oxidize your wrists in the heat. If you’re looking to keep cool, accessorize with a short scarf deftly wrapped around your neck – but don’t forget to wet it first, and keep rinsing it out and retying it throughout the day to refresh yourself.

Fashion is on the side of those seeking to beat the heat, even when it comes to color. Red and white are the colors flooding the shop windows this season – both winners when it comes to pulling off a crisp appearance, even when you may be wilting inside.

Diana Boeke

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