It’s the time of year when, for many of us, it’s HOT outside. The long stretches of summer are firmly in place with heat waves, humidity and fleeting patience for both leading many to dream of the cool, crisp breezes of autumn which will be here before we know it. But for right now, when it’s hot, how can you beat the summer heat, while still looking stylish? We turned to Meghan Markle to look at 5 ways you can stylishly beat the heat, inspired by her own wardrobe choices.

Throw on a Baseball Cap

The baseball hat has been a staple in Meghan Markle’s wardrobe for years. While it may appear that the casual cap was used to be as incognito as possible (which is undoubtedly true), Meghan stumbled upon something else with her love of the hat – a way to look cute, casual, stylish… When the last thing you want to do is spend time with heat styling tools when the heat is playing havoc on your hair.

Meghan’s caps have featured places she loves (she’s been seen in both Toronto and LA baseball team caps) as well as brands that she has favoured. The best caps look worn-in and are something personal to you that you feel an affinity towards. Editor Tip: If you’re choosing to wear a sports team cap, at least be able to name the star player from the team or a reason why you’re wearing it!

Pull out the Linen

Humidity on the East Coast can leave you sweating without doing any activity, just thinking about going outside can be stifling. Meghan has often been seen sporting linen shirts or dresses when out in the summer, and for good reason. The material is light, airy and dries incredibly quickly if you should still get too hot.

We love that Meghan chooses wardrobe staples from her closet – think the classic tailored white shirt – in the linen fabric for summer. It stays true to your overall look while adapting to the climate around you. Editor Tip: Linen may be a miracle fabric for staying cool, but it’s a nightmare to keep wrinkle-free. You can either invest in a handheld steamer to make sure you’re looking creaseless or try the time honoured tradition of hanging the shirt on a hanger in your bathroom while you’re in the shower. We’ve had much more success with the portable steamers than the bathroom.

Break out the Shorts

Many women we hear from are not in love with wearing shorts in summer, no matter the heat, because they have insecurities about their legs. Meghan has an enviable figure but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t share some of the thoughts of “are my legs too fat? Too thin?” that many of us have when breaking out the shorter pants that don’t cover the cellulite/wrinkles/imperfections that our favourite pair of jeans might.

Meghan would be the very first person to tell you to love yourself and the body you have. You can be working on growing into a better version of yourself, and whatever that means for you, while still celebrating the fact that you’re fabulous the way you are now… And that it’s hot as anything and you need to stay cool! Editor Tip: There are so many lengths for shorts now readily available that you don’t have to think that the shortest of short is the only inseam that is available.. There are Bermudas, midi length and even capris/pedal pushers that have popped back into style to try out.

Find the Perfect Sandal

If there is one thing we can say about Meghan, it’s that she looooooves her shoes! Her sandal collection of shoes is no different, with Meghan often selecting strappy styles to complement her warm weather looks.

A variety of sandal selections is key for summer, with our picks being something casual, something dressy and something fun to mix-and-match with all summer long. If you can only afford one, check out a more modern gladiator style (like Meghan’s Sarah Flint Grear) that can be dressed up or down depending on how you wear it. Editor Tip: Be sure to try on sandals towards the middle or end of the day, when your feet have swollen from the heat to ensure the most comfortable fit. We also can not recommend addition of a blister stick to your handbag highly enough for when a blister will inevitably pop up.

Embrace the Dress

Summer is synonymous with dresses in Meghan Markle’s style lexicon. She loves to wear a fun summer dress for everything from a trip to the beach to a city vacation to a work event. There are no shortage of styles, options or silhouettes to choose from that are flattering on everybody.

Meghan often chose dresses for summer that she could transition easily from day to night or from place to place with a change of shoes or an addition of an accessory. Editor tip: There are many dresses available from high-street retailers so that you don’t have to break the bank! Fun, summer dresses are one of the areas we like to shop more for trend than other elements of our “uniform” wardrobe built on minimalist basics, like Meghan.

While the MM Editorial team are anxiously looking to fall (Hellooooo sweaters!) we still have a few more weeks of blissfully warm weather that we will likely long for when we’re in the depths of winter. Meghan’s tips make beating the summer heat stylish and cool… Even if we are dreaming of our fall wardrobes.