If you’re staying in the city after classes end this week, you are bound to be impacted by the subway heat. The humidity on the sidewalks is nothing compared to the stifling air that gets trapped on subway platforms and in train cars. Even waiting three minutes for a train somehow makes you sweat through every pore.

But there are ways to minimize the torture you face underground. Here’s how to arrive at your workplace or class without looking like you just ran a marathon.

Choose looser tailoring and lighter fabrics whenever possible

With professional dress codes in the workplace, it’s difficult to make clothing choices that also help reduce sweating. But there is still room to choose clothes as strategically as possible. 

Slightly looser silhouettes allow more air to circulate between your body and clothing, unlike tightly structured pieces that completely trap heat and make you sweat more. For example, opting for a slightly relaxed blazer instead of a fitted one, or choosing a flowy midi skirt over tight trousers, can keep you cool without looking any less professional.

If your dress code allows it, try to choose lighter, more breathable fabrics over heavier synthetic ones. In practice, this means choosing a cotton button-down, which will feel much cooler. If you have long hair, keep it tied up for your commute.

Carry an emergency kit

A small bag of essential items can go a long way toward managing the heat.

Start with a travel-size deodorant, which becomes essential on humid days when your commute feels like a full morning workout. A mini hand fan will be particularly useful when you are waiting on a platform for a delayed train with no airflow, while face mist is great for making you look refreshed right before you get to your destination. Oil blotting sheets will remove shine after you leave the train, so you don’t look like you stepped out of a sauna. This is especially helpful if you wear makeup because you don’t need to redo your entire routine. For hydration, refrigerating your water bottle overnight can help it stay cold throughout your day, giving you something refreshing to help cool your body. 

Avoid peak rush hour if your schedule allows — even 10 minutes makes a difference

Dozens of bodies packed into one train car is probably not exactly how you want to start your morning, especially when you’re barely awake and mentally still in bed. 

If it’s possible to leave a little before peak rush hour, which is around 8-9. a.m., that small shift can make a surprising difference. Trains will often be less crowded, which means more space and better airflow. More specifically, Union Square is the most crowded station near NYU’s main campus, as all of the yellow and green lines intersect there. Also, avoiding rush hour means you can get to the office earlier, giving you more time to cool down before the workday starts.

Be aware of which subway lines have AC

Entering a train car that actually has air conditioning matters once temperatures rise. Most trains on the A and C lines, which meet at West Fourth Street, are rolling out newer cars with more consistent cooling. The J and Z trains, which stop at the Bowery and Canal Street stations, also have AC. While it doesn’t turn your ride into a completely breezy experience, it provides a slightly cooler zone, especially compared to lines that have no AC at all.

Meanwhile, try to avoid the old trains at Eighth Street-NYU, as their AC tends to be broken or insufficient. Stepping into a train car with no AC is an absolute nightmare, but knowing which trains typically have functional cooling systems will make your morning commutes much smoother.

Contact Christobelle Rudes at [email protected].