Beat the heat with these cool summer styles

Baby, it's hot out there! Looking fashionably fabulous can indeed be a challenge when the temperature (and the humidity) is on the rise. But there are ways to keep your cool, and here's how to do it with style in this edition of The Trend Report.

Cara Couture at IntermixOnline.com

Band aid
Let's start at the top — keep your hair under control and you're on your way toward looking and feeling great on a hot day. The latest trend is the super-sized head band or headwrap, which you'll use to simply pull your hair back or as a fashionable accent with a chignon, ponytail or other hair "do." We love the punch of a great pattern, but solids are essential as well. Grab them and wear them now and into the fall season.

Trend tip: Want a quick "band aid" hair fix? Cut an 8" wide strip from the leg of a pair of pantyhose or tights. Slide on your head and scrunch for that wide look. Voila!

Target

Linen closet
There's nothing like the cool, chic look of linen when the mercury is on the rise, so every fashionista's closet should contain a few key linen pieces for this style emergency. We're loving the pretty sleeveless linen shirt and wrap duo from Isaac Mizrahi at Target, which you can pick up for $29.99! Throw the wrap around your shoulders or use it as a belt to complete your look.

Trend tip: Step away from the ironing board! Casual linen pieces such as shirts or shorts can be machine washed and dried (unless you prefer an ultra-crisp look). They'll soften and actually become less wrinkled the more you wash them!

Splendid at Nordstrom.com

New jersey
Cotton jersey is one of the most comfortable fabrics to wear on very hot days, and it's totally in style — labels such as Rachel Pally, Splendid, James Perse, C&C California and Vince are offering stylish "beyond the T-shirt" pieces right now that are great for summer wear. Look for baby doll dresses, cropped, wide-legged pants, tunics and sexy skirts to create your own "new jersey" wardrobe.

Trend tip: If the temperature happens to dip a bit, try leggings. They’re a red-hot trend for fall, and you can get a jump-start on the trend by layering a pair of black or white jersey knit leggings under your dresses and skirts.

Polo.com

Polo fever
Ralph Lauren's iconic polo shirt has been given a style update — the "Big Pony" embroidered logo — and it's a perfect and "cool" fashionista piece to wear right now. This limited edition shirt comes in both the traditional shape and a tiny, shrunken style, and it's done up in comfortable cotton mesh. Pair it with shorts, trousers or a slim skirt, add a chic pair of sunglasses, and you're ready to go.

Trend tip: Classic "prepster" style somehow looks perfectly composed on even the hottest days. If you like it, add a polo-styled dress or two to your wardrobe to get you through the summer.

DKNY at BergdorfGoodman.com

Go with the flow
When the heat is on, skintight is out. A kinder, gentler, looser fit will give you breathing room and keep you feeling cool. But that doesn't mean you need to wear a shapeless muumuu! Opt for a tailored caftan (the replacement to last year's ethnic tunic) and a breezy pair of Bermuda shorts instead. Casual yet sophisticated staples like these can take you from a low-key office environment through the weekend.

Trend tip: For the most sophisticated look, steer clear of bright colors. Choose a more muted color palette instead, balanced with neutrals such as black, brown, navy or beige. Add always-stylish tortoise accessories and you've put together a summer wardrobe that will work this year ... and next.

Judy Gordon is a New York-based style consultant and the “Today” show’s style editor. She has been covering the fashion and beauty beat for the past decade. To learn more about Gordon, you can visit her Web site, TheTrendReport.com, which highlights style trends in America and across the world.

firstVIEW is the primary supplier of photos to Fashion Friday. Go to http://www.firstview.com/ for the latest pictures from top fashion shows around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan, Brazil, New Zealand, South Korea and more.

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