How to Cover Your Legs in Hot Weather

Co-authored by Kara Allan

Last Updated: March 7, 2022 References

To cover your legs in the hot weather, opt for pants or long skirts made from light, breathable materials (such as linen, cotton, or rayon). Choose light colors and a looser fit, and avoid synthetic fabrics which can trap heat and raise your body temperature. To cover your bare legs in the summer, use sunscreen to protect from UV rays. Consider getting a spray tan or using concealer to cover imperfections on your legs.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing Specific Bottoms

1
Wear a long linen skirt or linen pants. To keep your legs covered but cool in hot weather, invest in a long linen skirt or pants. This lightweight, breathable material also reflects heat better than other fabrics, leaving the skin cool and dry. Opt for garments with a comfortable, loose fit to allow air to flow between the linen and your skin.^{[1]
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2
Imitate jeans with chambray pants. To cover your legs in the heat and stay comfortably cool, opt for chambray pants to imitate your jeans. Chambray is a woven cotton textile that resembles denim despite its light, breathable texture. Dress the pants up with a blazer and a pair of loafers, or make them more casual with running shoes and a plain t-shirt.^{[2]
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3
Opt for cotton skirts or pants. Cotton is an ideal choice of material for summer clothing as it absorbs wetness and perspiration from the skin and allows it to evaporate from the fabric’s surface. For an ideal fit, choose cotton pants or skirts that are loose enough to allow air to flow through and let your skin breathe. When purchasing cotton items, make sure that they don’t feel heavy, and hold them up to the light to see if they are a bit see-through (which is ideal).
- For instance, 100% cotton chinos are a great option for summer pants.
- Hang dry your cotton clothing after washing it, as it is likely to shrink in the dryer.
4
Go for rayon bottoms. Rayon is man-made fabric that is lighter than cotton and perfect for dry heat. Rayon clothing is delicate, drapes well, and may imitate the texture and feel of cotton, linen, silk, or wool depending on the garment you buy. Look for rayon pants or long skirts in light colors that won’t absorb the sunlight. ^{[3]
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- Use a fluid type of fabric like silk jersey.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kara Allan
  Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist & Personal Brand Consultant
  Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.}
5
Adapt your pantyhose for the heat. If pantyhose are a part of your wardrobe that you wish to wear even on hotter days, adapt them to suit the weather. To make them more comfortable and less sweat-inducing, cut about half an inch off the top of your control-top or regular pantyhose, leaving enough elastic to hold them up. On especially hot days, try putting your pantyhose in the freezer for about five minutes to cool them before putting them on.^{[5]
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- Knee high pantyhose are also a good way to cover your legs while constricting them less than with full length pantyhose.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making Heat-Conscious Choices

1
Choose light colors. Always opt for light colored pants or long skirts in hot weather. Dark colors absorb heat while light colors reflect heat, keeping your legs cooler. Choose whites, tans, or pastel colors when buying summer bottoms.
2
Aim for a looser fit. If you want to keep your legs covered in the heat, opt for a looser fit of pants or long skirt to keep cool.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Kara Allan
Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist & Personal Brand Consultant
Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.} Slightly baggier bottoms will allow for better air circulation, allowing your legs to breathe. Looser fitting linen or cotton items will be comfortable in the heat and still look stylish.
3
Avoid synthetic fabrics. When choosing pants or long skirts to wear in hot weather, avoid synthetic fabrics altogether. Synthetic fabrics do not absorb sweat like natural fabrics (e.g. cotton) and are not breathable. They also retain heat, raising your overall body temperature.^{[7]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Covering Bare Legs

1
Wear sunscreen. To protect your legs from UV rays in the heat, cover them with sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Opt for a brand that is waterproof and sweat-resistant, and reapply at least every two hours. Be sure to all parts of your legs, especially your ankles and behind your knees, where the skin is more sensitive.^{[8]
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2
Get a spray tan. A spray tan can cover marks, bruises, and pronounced veins on your legs and give them your legs color. Visit a local salon that does spray tanning and ask for a lighter shade of tanner to start (you can always go darker the next time). As an alternative, purchase a self-tanner from a pharmacy or beauty supply store to use on your legs at home.^{[9]
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- Be sure to exfoliate your legs before getting a spray tan or using self-tanner, as it will allow for a more even distribution of color.
3
Use concealer to cover imperfections. If you are insecure about marks on your legs such as bruises, scrapes, or bumps, cover them with concealer. To cover very dark bruises, use a concealer that is two or three shades lighter than your skin tone. To cover scrapes, use a fine eyeliner brush to avoid over-applying concealer.^{[10]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What are the best pants to wear in hot weather?

Kara Allan
Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist & Personal Brand Consultant
Kara Allan is a Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist, Personal Brand Consultant, and Owner of Style by Kara Allan. With over 19 years of experience, her expertise includes wardrobe styling and edits, personal shopping, personal branding, makeup application, and corporate image consulting. Kara has worked with many celebrity clients including Leonardo di Caprio and Jesse Itzler. She has also been featured in numerous media outlets such as DC Magazine, Washington Post Express, and the Huffington Post. Kara received her training with Stacy London, Former Fashion Editor at Vogue Magazine and Star of TLC's What Not to Wear, and Carla Mathis, Certified Image Master, Association of Image Consultants International.

Kara Allan

Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist & Personal Brand Consultant

Expert Answer

If you're on the taller side, you certainly can try rocking some cropped pants. That's not really the best option for shorter women, since it kind of cuts you off.