How to avoid looking cheap in the summer.

[3dogsandacat]

What would be your main tips on how to look good during the summer?
Any particular colors, fabrics, styles (or brands) to avoid?
The How to Look Expensive threads were really interesting, but I find it's easier to look more together in the winter, but more of a problem in the summer.
I always end up looking like a bag of shit
Sometimes I 'get it right' but when I do, it's purely accidental

[GeorgeTheThird]

No bra or knicker bulges, for starters.

[boldlygoingsomewhere]

I don't have much advice but share your frustration- really struggle with warm weather dressing! I'm going to try and avoid prints this year and go for block colours which I think will be easy to coordinate.

[3dogsandacat]

Off the top of my head, I think those t shirts that are high at the front and low at the back never look good on me. I've never seen anybody else look good in them either.

[GeorgeTheThird]

Nice feet. Go to the chiropodist. Get all the dry skin off.

[Sunnsoo]

No thin straps with bra showing

[BlueEyedWonder]

Do not show bra straps
Moisturise feet and apply a dark red nail varnish (blue/green/fluro colours look cheap to me)
Keep make up to a minimum. Neutral colours.
White/cream/blues/navy look good in summer
Cotton knee length dresses with a short sleeve look more expensive than strapless jersey maxi dresses
Simple leather sandals
Nice pair of sunglasses with a neutral frame. Need not be expensive

[P1nkP0ppy]

Bras and knickers that fit, no VPLs.
Wear a slip under any garment that's sheer, fine weave or clingy; and a camisole if the top is the same.
Don't wear clothes that are too tight
Patterns imo are more flattering than plain colours if (like me) you're a bit overweight.
Please no bare stomach unless it's toned and tanned.
Look in the mirror before you leave the house!

[christinarossetti]

Wear darker rather than lighter colours if fabric is cheap and thin.

Make sure clothes fit well.

Ironed clothes look better (even though it's a PITA)

[annabelcaramel]

Linen, but if possible not the sort that crumples as soon as you look at it. Linen mix if looks not too shiny. Neutral colours or I think stripes. Avoid patterns, particularly the loud lairy ones the supermarkets default to in the summer.

[nilbyname]

Do not wear thin linen trousers with a dark bloody g- string! This is a look I see a lot! My eyes my eyes!!!'

Find what works and repeat, I like a uniform of sorts.

Skinny trousers rolled up, flat form sandals, silky camisole.

Denim shorts, Birkenstock sandals, long sleeved loose shirt or Cotten t- shirt shaped top with sleeves pushed up.

Midi skirt, peasant top tucked in, wedge sandals

Culottes, vans, some sort of vest/tank top, some bangles or maybe a big necklace.

So afew looks I know work and can swap around with. Does that make sense?

I also have a lightweight trench, a denim jacket and a Camo shaket thing. Good sunglasses, couple
Of good hats and nice bags. Large totes can off set a flubby tummy which is good for me for 2 weeks of my cycle!

[3dogsandacat]

Wear darker rather than lighter colours if fabric is cheap and thin.

That's a good one.

[3dogsandacat]

A few mentions on good sunglasses. Mine are full of scratches. Time to replace?

[SomethingLike]

Compile a wardrobe of four versatile full outfits, not separate items.

My go to outfits for Summer are:

Ankle grazer skinny jeans, long cotton sleeveless white cotton top (loose fitting), tennis shoes or flat sandals

Camel coloured chinos, white cotton vest top or t shirt

Sun dress, strappy, nice material just above knee length

Shirt dress, knee length


I then have a denim jacket, a lightweight trench and a white bomber jacket I can alternate with.


I agree with sticking to block colours of cream, beige, white, grey and navy for summer. Get one good bag, a nice hat and a good pair of sunglasses and you're all set.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

No cracked heels - get a file and some good moisturising cream.
Nail polish on toes nails draws the eyes right to your feet so not chipped, not lairy and no dirty nails.

Antiperspirant- few things cheapen any look good or bad , cheap or expensive than BO.

Any areas that you depilate (your choice but I don't really want someones armpit hair pushed up against my face when someone reaches past my head to get to a shelf) can make or break a look.

I prefer a pattern on one item of clothing only, not fussed where it comes from. So if my blouse is an M&S and everyone knows it, so what?

[pristinechristine]

I'm always aiming for this but on quite a small budget!

I think cotton and linen looks so much better than synthetic fabrics. I've just bought a really nice Laura Ashley linen shirt dress from ebay for cheaper than I could have got anything on the high street.

Neutral colours - navy looks expensive I think as well as khaki, cream, brown, red. I prefer plain rather than patterned.

Slightly looser clothes better than too tight imo.

I like primark for their plain vests (wide rather than spaghetti straps so bra doesn't show) and their breton tshirts. They wash surprisingly well.

The sort of thing I wear day to day in the summer is a plain vest with chinos or boyfriend jeans rolled up, leather belt and saltwater sandals. Or with denim shorts in a looser boyfriend style.

[calzone]

I bought some fabulous cigarette trousers (capri pants? To the ankle anyway) from TKMAXX. Should have been £78 but negotiated to £11.

Pair in black and a pair in navy. Gorgeous and versatile. Had lots of compliments too.

So, instead of baggy linen trousers, I'll be wearing these with different coloured tops and denim jacket and flats, though wedges look good too.

[JackandDiane]

no cheap black lycra
no thin tops that show every bymp

[MrsCampbellBlack]

After being in town today - my top tip is to look in a mirror especially at your rear view if wearing light coloured jersey fabrics.

[PestilentialCat]

Try & tone up your arms a bit if they're going to be exposed for the over-forties

Sunburn never suits anyone.

Tight looks cheap.

[EmpressTomatoKetchup]

Flip flops are for the beach only. That flappy see through dress, with gold medallion jewerely feature attached? Beach cover up mate. Not for for the office.

[Polkadot1974]

Reading with interest as I have just panic bought some t shirts from Primark with crochet detail to try and drag myself into modern times

[GhettoFabulous]

Don't wear white underwear under white. Wear nude.

[donajimena]

Surprisingly... red underwear looks ok under white. MN said so. It worked

[Gardenbirdy]

^What Ghetto said ^^ Took me YEARS to figure that out.

[Purplehonesty]

My summer outfits comprise of lightweight dresses, cardigans and sandals/flats.

I have loads of different dresses (20 or so?) and cardis as I have realised that shorts just don't flatter me at all!

They aren't expensive just from
Primark or eBay but tend to be fit and flare shape or cap sleeves.

So I think finding what suits your shape helps. I like skinny jeans rolled up and vest tops too but although I'm quite slim I have a bit of a belly from having DC so altho I like the look it doesn't flatter me quite as it used to!