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Beat the Heat with These Summer Essentials

These warm-weather accessories will help keep you cool.

By Erica Moody July 1, 2026 at 8:08 am

Summer in Northern Virginia can be stifling, and it’s not always easy to keep cool. Luckily, there are handy products that can help make the heat manageable. Check out these six summer essentials.

Vineyard Vines striped dress — *Courtesy Vineyard Vines*

Easy & Breezy

A dress in a lightweight seersucker is a must for warm months. This bestseller has UPF 30+ protection and moisture-wicking. Sophie Harbor Dress: $84.99–$188 at Vineyard Vines, multiple area locations

Heat Hacker

This on-the-go device has a fan, mist, and personal cooling system that can be easily used indoors or out. Shark Beauty ChillPill: 3-in-1 Cooling System with fan: $149.99 at Ulta, multiple area locations

Seasonal Staple

A raffia bucket hat is a summer sun protection staple. Anna Straw Hat: $128 at J. McLaughlin, multiple area locations

Striped sheets from Cozy Earth — *Courtesy Cozy Earth*

Summer Sleep

These temperature-regulating bamboo viscose sheets promise to get softer with each wash. Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set: $274–$368 at cozyearth.com

Cure electrolyte packets — *Courtesy Anthropologie*

Handy Hydration

Toss these electrolyte packets in your bag for a boost when you need hydration. Just mix with water. Cure Hydration Electrolyte Mix 8-Pack: $16 at Anthropologie, multiple area locations

Jack Black cooling gel — *Courtesy Bellacara*

Soothing Skin Care

This fragrance-free aftershave gel contains aloe leaf juice to calm, soothe, and soften sunburned skin. Jack Black Post Shave Cooling Gel: $23 at Bellacara, 1000 King St., Alexandria

Feature image courtesy vendors

This story originally ran in our July issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.

Erica Moody

Contributing Editor

Erica Moody is Northern Virginia Magazine’s Contributing Editor. She has been a lifestyle journalist and editor for more than 15 years, with previous staff roles at Philadelphia magazine, Washington Life Magazine, and Travel Leaders Group. She’s consulted for brands including American Express Travel and Royal Caribbean. Her writing has appeared in Ad Age, The Telegraph, InsideHook, Technical.ly, DC Inno, and more. She holds an MFA from Antioch University and a BA from Tulane.