Let’s be honest: there are days when opening your wardrobe feels less like a moment of inspiration and more so like a negotiation. Your body is shifting, your temperature is rising (thanks, hormones) and the desert heat is already waiting to test your patience. Maybe you’ve just finished a 5 a.m feed or you’re juggling urgent work emails while trying to remember if you’ve brushed your teeth. You’re exhausted before the day even begins. But in that moment, between the chaos and the caffeine, getting dressed can feel like a lifeline. 

And as a stylist, who's worked with women in different phases of their life (pregnant, postpartum or just in the thick of everyday womanhood) here's what I want you to know - there is a way to feel stylish that won’t make your day harder. Because when you’re sweating through preschool pickup or trying to breastfeed in the car, “put-together” can’t mean uncomfortable. It needs to mean “I feel like myself again” even for five minutes. And it all starts with a few smarter style choices. 

So if you’re dressing for the Dubai heat with a toddler in one arm whilst your hormones are doing somersaults, here is what you need to do:

Lean into airflow 

When it comes to silhouettes, looseness isn’t laziness, it’s liberation. Flowy dresses (e.g. Undress Code Gaia Black Linen Dress), wide-leg trousers (e.g. Undress Code Fortuna Cream Linen Pants), and oversized shirts (e.g. Kage Hasna Charcoal Oversized Shirt Mid-Sleeve) are your allies. All these silhouettes allow room for hormonal changes and postpartum fluctuations. I always recommend pieces with adjustable waistlines or elastic details since they work with your body, not against it. 

Let colours cool you down 

Colour palettes play a powerful role in how we feel; lighter shades reflect light, but they also reflect softness. In the height of summer, I always recommend opting for softer colours such as soft blues, buttery neutrals, warm blush or muted sand tones. These colours not only suit most skin tones, but they also evoke calm which, as a mom, you deserve more of. An example of the perfect summer dress is the Alona Yellow Garter Cotton Strap Dress by Nanushka. As soon as you wear that dress it gives you an instant confidence boost as it sculpts your body in the perfect colourway. 

Choose fabrics that love your skin.

This is a non-negotiable. Natural, breathable materials like bamboo jersey, linen blends, and soft cottons are key. These materials will not cling when you sweat or irritate sensitive skin, especially in postpartum recovery. TMP has intentionally curated pieces that have been designed with stretch, breathability and longevity in mind. 

Functional Layers for Temperature Swings 

If you live in Dubai, you know the drill: 44°C outside but the second you step into a cafe or mall, it’s suddenly winter. The body, especially one navigating postpartum recovery or hormonal shifts does not respond well to that kind of temperature flip; one minute you're sweating, the next you're freezing. So yes, layering matters but it needs to be done strategically. For example, the Yves Blue Linen Oversized Shirt by Kage worn open can instantly elevate a simple ribbed nursing top without trapping heat. These pieces give you the visual sharpness of a structured layer with the airiness your body needs in peak summer. Another trick? Use accessories as wearable layers. For example, a thin scarf draped over the shoulders can act as both sun coverage and a light wrap when the AC kicks in, and if you’re wearing a breastfeeding-friendly tank underneath, a layer like this adds a little modesty or texture without fuss. 

My rule: always keep one light third piece in your tote. Not only is it functional, but it makes any basic outfit look intentional like you thought it through, even if you didn’t sleep the night before. 

Prints are your secret weapon. 

Most women avoid prints in summer, but when chosen right they are your best-kept secret. They hide minor spills, sweat marks and most importantly, give visual texture without feeling heavy. For example, a soft floral pattern such as that on the Desmond & Dempsey Flowers of Time Black Pleasted Cami and Short Set will hide spit-up stains better than a solid colour. You can also opt for a print that is visually interesting, but not loud, e.g. Desmond & Dempsey Dreamland Linen Multi & Mocha Long Lounge Set. These prints strike the perfect balance between practical and polished. 

At the end of the day, dressing well in the summer should not feel like a chore and it most certainly shouldn't be about having to do more. It’s about choosing pieces that take care of you, both emotionally and physically whilst you’re holding the fort at home or at work. And this journey starts with a few smarter style choices, ones that aren’t just functional, but thoughtful. Not just flattering, but forgiving. Pieces that understand how your life moves now, and allow you to move through them with a little more ease, a little more comfort, and a lot more you. 

Heat, hormones, and all.

TMP COLLABORATOR

Altish Yousaf

Altish Yousaf is the founder of Saaish, a boutique styling and creative consultancy known for curating unique styling experiences. A graduate of Dartmouth College, Altish blends a rich academic foundation with a deeply intuitive sense of artistry and individuality. At Saaish, she offers an intimate styling journey to clients worldwide creating visual narratives that feel personal, intentional and timeless.

In her writing for TMP, Altish brings the same passion and fearless creativity; whether you’re a new mom discovering your evolving identity or a woman redefining power dressing through her postpartum wardrobe, Altish’s voice speaks to every version of you with elegance, relatability, and confidence.