2012’s top summer apparel for women
Look cool and stay cool in the latest summer fashion

Sherpa Kipu Tank
($60; Sherpa Adventure Gear)
This super-soft tank-style T-shirt is made with fabric that’s infused with Xylitol—add sweat and you get the same cooling on your skin that you get in your mouth with chewing gum. Plus, the back of the ultra-stretchy top is a perforated mesh, adding a dose of A/C for the spot where you sweat the most while hiking. The whole shirt is antibacterial and quick drying, and the front features an attractive and subtle Nepalese print.

Patagonia All Weather Dress
(60; Patagonia)
A dress for running? After wearing this one, our testers are converts. On a tropical five-kilometre jaunt, they said it felt like they were running in the buff—and that’s a good thing. Made of a polyester-spandex blend with mesh panels down both sides, the dress felt light and breezy, wicked moisture and dried quickly. Falling above the knees with wide straps, it jibed with a variety of undergarments, and since a dress has little skin contact, chafing was never an issue.

Royal Robbins Cabo Digger
($70; Royal Robbins)
Our testers said these will be the capris they wear all summer long, whether they’re hiking, rock climbing or just hanging out. The lightweight nylon packs UPF 30 protection and dries fast. The brushed exterior is extremely soft, but still durable enough for scrambling up a peak. Two hand pockets have a hook closure system for keeping essentials safe, and the low-profile, drawstring waistband won’t pinch under a hipbelt.

Dry Dudz
($85; Dry Dudz)
Walk a mile in most wet boardshorts and you can expect to feel the sting of some serious chafing. But not Dry Dudz. This innovative sport- and surf-approved bikini-trunk set-up puts a wicking and fast-dry liner bottom against the skin, which layers under a stretchy, lightweight and fast-dry short trunk. (The bikini top is included.) Wear the liner high for a trendy look or roll it down for a lower tan. Either way, the form-fitting liner is soft, stretchy and antimicrobial.

Teva Zirra
($110; Teva)
This elegant take on a Teva classic loses little in performance. The thin strips of webbing follow the same pattern as Teva’s river specialist sport sandals, but look so much more subdued on the Zirra. Our tester didn’t feel out of place wearing these to a nice restaurant. Yet when it came time to jump into the surf, she never worried about them falling off. The footbed is designed for a woman’s foot with supporting contours and a wet grip outsole.

Sole Casual Flip
($85; Sole)
With the Casual Flip, Sole combines its patented wear-mouldable footbed with cork. The result is sublime comfort—more Birkenstock than $10 flip-flop. Approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association, this kick helps properly align and support metatarsals, arch, heel and toes, which makes it perfect for post-exercise bliss. And with antifungal treatment, there’s nasal bliss too. The straps are 50/50 hemp and recycled polyester, and come in a variety of nice colours.