Flash-ion Statement

Dressing in layers is key to keeping cool and comfortable during a hot flash.

Cotton is the most breathable fabric for quick-drying comfort.

Special high-tech "moisture-wicking" fabrics that actually pull moisture away from the skin and dry in a flash are also a good bet.

Although many of these fabrics come in the form of workout clothes -- even a simple tee shirt or tank top can be part of a respectable street wardrobe.

Some of the same moisture-wicking fabrics found in sportswear have been incorporated into entire lines of stylish easy-care travel-wear, making these items ideally suited for women with hot flashes.

You're not limited to Hawaiian shirts and Bermuda shorts, either.

From casual wear to corporate attire, you can find fashionable no-iron travel dresses, tanks and tees, jackets, over-shirts and pull-on skirts or pants in a wide range of styles and colors.

Most can be layered, and the pieces peel off easily during a flash, dry quickly, and resist wrinkling, so you look as fresh when you put them back on as you did before you took them off.

For night sweats, look for wicking nightgowns to help keep you cool at night.

Whatever you do, avoid silk, which makes for unsightly perspiration stains, and polyester, nylon and other unbreathable synthetics, which tend to trap heat and moisture in.