I notice that many of the looks that Stacy and Clinton put together use structured jackets and layered clothes. I really like them. However, I live in New Orleans and it is hot, hot, hot. How can I achieve the same sophistication without the jackets and sweaters?

It's not only in New Orleans that they don't work. I was able to restrain myself to the purchase of just one jacket this year, which is a great feat for me, since they absolutely sing out loud when I try them on. However, they have a very, very short wearing season. It's either too cold, to rainy or too hot.

Anyway, to get back to the answer, you can try a thin shirt over a cami. There are cami-bras that are made to show in the Vee of the shirt, so that eliminates a layer, too. A shirt can have the same structure as a jacket (princess seaming); can end at the sweet spot on your hip, and can be accessorized with a narrow patent belt, too. They come in lots of pretty colors and patterns.
And, you can roll the sleeves up to b*re your forearms, and add some nice bracelets and a big watch on your wrists.

I'm really repeating what Pres said, but when you can't layer, it pays to make sure the items you can wear are structured. I like structured short-sleeved blouses, and I recently bought a couple of safari-style short sleeved jackets which are meant to be worn as blouses, but have all the sructure and presence of a jacket.

Also, when you're limited in the number of clothing items you can bear to put on, you can concentrate on the items that don't make you miserably hot- shoes and jewelry. An ensemble can really look pulled together, even without the layers, if the accessories are right.

Good morning, ladies!
oh i've felt your pain in summer~ (i've lived in SC, TN, visited AL and FL during summer).
Pres and Butterfly Ginger gave you some great advice I wouldn't have thought of! (thanks for teaching an old dog new tricks, hee hee), i live in AZ, vacation in muggy PR and let's face it: the underlayer here and there is nothing but a sweat absorber. never make it your favorite white shirt!
this is what i do because sometimes heck, even accesories bug me, and that's rare, but it does happen when it's above 115. they become sweat traps too. (forgive my blunt honesty, and i well, i like a big accesories to begin with, so that's even worse). i want to give you yet a third choice. i keep things in one layer with nothing but breathable fabrics like cotton and silk or linen. when i don't want to wear accesories i use prints to add interest to an ensemble so that becomes the focus. either a neutral skirt with a print top, a print dress with a neutral shoe,
or a print skirt with a neutral top.
here are some examples i hope you find helpful. *warning* examples of stuff that either "goes" but not matches or examples of stuff that "matches". these were taken before i ventured into the world of "it doesn't match? PERFECT!" ;p oh i'm being silly, it's the caffeine and before running burst of energy.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/ileana65/clothe...les/newcamera001.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/ileana65/clothe...puertorico3004-1.jpg
with red or orange bag, depending on shoe.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/ileana65/clothe...%20ensembles/012.jpg
clean lines, different choices of something to pop with color. i'd wear it with my red bag:
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/ileana65/clothe...%20ensembles/003.jpg
red bag and last ensemble idea:
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/ileana65/clothe...0ensembles/009-7.jpg

sorry for the long post, i'm mostly a visual learner, so i like to "show" things to others because i know for me, when i "see" something i "get it" and i'm sure i'm not the only one out there, LOL

were you looking for work or play clothes? gosh i wish i had asked first, LOL
have a lovely day, lovely ladies!

ili

ilibaby, those are the most beautiful clothes I've seen in a long time! I absolutely LOVE them! And they would be perfect for hot days, since I'm a native Southerner as well. Wow!

Ili's post gave me an idea, too.

The structured dress can serve in the same way, and eliminates even more cloth (the waist band of the skirt/pants, and the overlap of the shirt and the pants.)

Look at this great one that I copied from Shaunda's Post

The wrap provides structure to create the illusion of a narrow torso that jackets are known for, and this print helps break up any large expanses, just like a jacket, except by using straight graphic lines instead of the sewn seams.

Also, keep your hair as sleek as you can. If you are wearing a very structured tweed blazer and tall suede boots, you can work in a large headed curly (even frizzy) look. But if your outfit is minimal by necessity, and there may well be some dewy perspiration showing (on your forehead!) keep the hair controlled.

To sum this up, if you can incorporate crisp lines, in some form (shirt seams, graphics, accessories or use of contrast color blocks, as Ili does;although I'll bet she doesn't know it!) you can avoid the melted down look of an ensemble that includes too many soft parts (like filmy, poofy fabrics, gathered skirts with spirally stitching, kitten (curvy) heel shoes, and tiny jewelry with lacy accents).

I live in SD, and we range from 30 below winters to 90 degree summers (with awful humidity), so we have to have a whole new summer wardrobe. Wearing jackets outside can be uncomfortable when it's so hot, even though you can find cute short sleeve jackets to give you that pulled together look. Jackets aside, though, I think that a lot of it has to do with fabric. For me, cotton looks a lot crisper than a jersey material. Cotton button downs or cotton wrap tops can be worn to work, but can also be dressed down with jeans/capris (plus its breathable). You can layer cami's underneath, too.
Pres and ilibaby gave some good advice. Skirts and dresses always look put together without a lot of work, and they help with the heat.

I would suggest finding some lightweight jackets, though, if you experience the freeze out in any building like I do. Here's a couple I have that are lightweight:
I wear this one with tanks like the one shown underneath, and then I take an 80's like stretch belt and cinch the waist.
http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=50434&CatID...Id=50434|58022|58024

Target has these lightweight jackets that I love:
http://www.target.com/Mossimo-Black-Short-Sleeve-Stripe...salesrank&rh=&page=2

http://www.target.com/Merona-Belted-Safari-Jacket-Ebony...mbrowse=1&rh=&page=1

I have that safari jacket in khaki - love it, love it, love it. It can be worn with jeans, slacks, skirts, you name it. I agree about wearing woven cotton dresses and blouses. The crispness of the fabric is a lot cooler than a knit, and the structure keeps you looking pulled together.

thanks for the extra solutions for hot weather woes, i really like that jacket with the short sleeves you posted, shoediva and i usually don't love jackets with short sleeves, that one has a very nice shape/cut and i love the belted jacket look. wholenewworld, what a sweet thing to say, thank you so much, you were very generous with your kind words!
Pres, your post cracked me up because...you're right. there is NO method to my madness and i have no idea i'm doing something that has a name to it. (contrast color blocks). ;p
I remember once there was an Oprah show with T&S and one of the women they made up was a plus-size woman who looked twice her age with a long long skirt to the ankles (jean?) and long long hair and they put her on this gorgeous knee-length print dress with long boots and cut her hair, she looks 20 years younger! i learned with that show alone that prints can be our friend, i had been warned to stay away due to my being short. before then i was wearing plain, plain clothes and a very monochromatic look, no accesories. man, i was so bored. white, black, khaki. rinse and repeat. brown or black shoes. rinse and repeat. it rocks with the right coloring, it didn't with mine, though! check her out, the dress would work with a pewter or silver sandal, why not?
http://www.oprah.com/tows/slide/200502/20050217/slide_20050217_110.jhtml
full photo:
http://www.oprah.com/tows/slide/200502/20050217/slide_20050217_111.jhtml
in fact, the entire set of photos is great, even 2 years later!
enjoy!