For fashion-loving Filipinos, one major style struggle has always been the country’s tropical weather.
Layering can instantly elevate any OOTD, but in the Philippines, where it’s hot and humid almost all year, it often feels like a recipe for overheating.
Still, celebrities like Sarah Geronimo, Matteo Guidicelli, Solenn Heussaff, Alexa Ilacad, Anthony Constantino, and Kim Kianna Dy prove that stylish layering in the heat is absolutely doable.
They shared with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) their foolproof tips for staying cool while looking chic during Uniqlo’s 2026 Spring/Summer Press Preview at Foro de Intramuros in Manila, held on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
Through smart fabric choices, breezy silhouettes, and thoughtful styling, they’ve mastered the art of layering without breaking a sweat.
SARAH GERONIMO
Her top tip is simple: go for breathable fabrics.
Pointing to her shirt and jersey jacket, she said: "I like the texture because it combines the softness of cotton with the smoothness of linen.
"It’s very light—perfect for summer here in the Philippines. And it’s non-clingy…unlike me, because I’m clingy.
"It just falls naturally, di ba, love [Matteo]? I also like the patch pockets—they’re really nice and functional.
"And, of course, the slit cuffs make it easy to roll up the sleeves for effortless styling."
MATTEO GUIDICELLI
Matteo Guidicelli emphasized the versatility of lightweight pieces—especially linen—when layering in a tropical climate.
Wearing a premium linen shirt over a crew?neck tee, he pointed out how linen can shift effortlessly from casual to polished, making it ideal for warm weather styling.
He said, "Right here, I'm wearing this beautiful premium linen shirt, you know, very nice. And then a crew neck T-shirt.
"We [Saran and I] were talking together, like, linen shirts can be very casual and it can be formal and elegant also."
Matteo added, "And, of course, your linen-blend easy pants. I love these pants also because they're very easy to use.
"They just fall on your body and it's very nice. It can be casual. It can go elegant. You know, you can do anything you want with it.
SOLENN HEUSSAFF
Solenn's go-to styling trick is the classic "third-piece rule."
Even a simple outfit—like jean shorts paired with a linen top—can instantly look more put-together with one added accent piece.
She explained, "My tip in styling would be... it's called like the third-piece rule. So halimbawa, I'm wearing jean shorts, and I'm wearing a linen top. The third piece rule would be my belt as an accent, or it could be red shoes as an accent.
"So to make an outfit more elevated, you do the third-piece rule.
"So that's adding one more piece that will make you look styled even if it's not styled. Yung ganun."
ALEXA ILACAD
Alexa said versatility is key when layering.
Hence, she always makes sure her base outfit can transition seamlessly from day to night.
Alexa told PEP: "Siguro kasi minsan, unpredictable yung weather natin, e. Although lagi namang mainit talaga. But I make sure na if I'm going to layer, yung base nung outfit can take me from day to night.
"So kailangan versatile siya. Kung sakaling mainitan ako, and I have to remove this, my outfit, my base can stand alone. So that's something I always think about."
ANTHONY CONSTANINO
Anthony Constantino keeps his layering approach simple: stay light, relaxed, and breathable.
For him, the key to pulling off layered outfits in a tropical country is choosing versatile basics that stack easily without feeling heavy.
These pieces still give off an effortless, summery vibe even with added layers.
Using his own outfit at the event as an example, he remarked: “I started with a base: men’s baggy jeans from Uniqlo. It’s such a universal piece, so it’s very easy to style.”
He paired it with a dark blue tee and topped it off with a floral button-up to create a relaxed, warm-weather feel.
“Today was very relaxed, very summer,” he said. “That’s why I chose this shirt. I hope people like this style.”
KIM KIANNA DY
For the volleyball athlete, breathable fabrics address the feeling of being overheated.
"I still feel fresh and comfortable all day because the material is perfect for the Philippine weather,” she said.
At the event, Kim Kianna wore the Ultra Stretch AIRism UV Protection Full-Zip Hoodie over an AIRism bra sleeveless top, paired with EZ Utility Pants. What she loves most is the added sun protection.
"It has UV protection, so whether I’m running errands or driving, it helps shield my skin from harmful UV rays,” she explained.
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