My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

For beauty and fashion style advice, join in our Style forum chat.

Style & Beauty

I don't look good in the summer

88 replies

AnotheBloodyChinHair · 13/02/2017 08:46

I am in my mid 40s (I look at least 6 or 7 years younger), and although I am short (5.2") and currently overweight (by no more than 1 stone), I scrub up pretty well in spring/autumn and winter clothes.

Now the summer is a different matter altogether. I have really white pasty skin and my legs don't look well in dresses without tights. My worst feature by far is my thighs, they are disproportionately big in comparison to the rest of my body, and of course they rub together. There's no swimming costume that can hide my thighs, those low leg ones just make my already short legs look even shorter.

Then there's my hair. It goes frizzy and wiry in humidity, looks awful, I can't give in to it and get it to be wavy, it just looks a frizzy mess.

I wear make up all the time but this looks obviously silly b the pool/beach, which is fine, but it's just that everything combined, I feel I look a mess and I feel ugly. The heat does something to my face, makes me look puffy.

I don't even know what I'm asking here. We are going on holiday somewhere hot in August and I am stressing about it. I can't seem to get the discipline to lose the weight, this would help so much. Those kaftan style cover ups look awful on me because the are boxy and show my legs. I don't like sarongs. A fitted maxi would be better but I can't find anything that is both cotton and petite.

That's another issue in itself, why a beach clothes made of polyester and viscose!?

What are our tips to look good in the heat?

OP posts:
Report
MostIneptThatEverStepped · 13/02/2017 08:52

I pretty much could have written this. Waiting for helpful replies!
In my case since I started HRT I've also become completely heat intolerant. I'm dreading summer.

Report
Laiste · 13/02/2017 09:28

If you're after a nice cover up and don't like Kaftans or sarongs - how about a fine cotton long shirt style one?

www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-dipped-hem-shirt-dress/p/p22489721?image=SD_02_T52_5871_Z0_X_EC_90&color=WHITE&prevPage=plp

sort of thing. You could buy a size too big for floatyness and belt it?

Report
Tenpastlate · 13/02/2017 09:39

I could have written this too, I am the same height and build and pale and don't tan. I'm going away in a few weeks to a tropical destination and am having a mini panic!

Coincidentally, I have just bought the M&S shirt/dress coverup linked above, but in pale blue. It is pretty flattering.
I struggle with what to wear as my legs look terrible in shorts. I like maxi dresses and knee length tshirt dresses which have a drawstring or elasticated waist. I have a couple from H&M. My tumble dryer shrinks maxis enough to make them the right length.

I have tried to make sure that everything coordinates (in blues and white) so I look better put together.

I look forward to reading other suggestions!

Report
BusterGonad · 13/02/2017 10:01

I too hate summer clothes, on my last beach holiday I wore a very thin Denim shirt dress over my bikini, I would wear it to pop to the bar or hide my tummy when sun bathing. It was a good send as it finished just near my thighs and with the sleeves rolled up it looked great and summery. I couldn't find a picture of it but similar to the one below minus the belt.

I don't look good in the summer
Report
RainbowBriteRules · 13/02/2017 10:09

Stalking this as I also hate summer dressing. My problem is my legs (terrible varicose veins) so summer dressing really limited. What I do is use sarongs and khaki type trousers and wait for autumn Grin.

Report
AnotheBloodyChinHair · 13/02/2017 10:19

Oh god shorts, yes, I look absolutely awful in shorts, no matter what length. I can wear capris and that's it. I actually do like those M&S shirts thanks, the white and the chambray. I will give them a go, just hope they reach below my knees.

I also have an issue with my decolletage as I need to keep it covered at all times. My skin is so thin and damaged there it just doesn't tolerate any sun, not even with 50 sun block on it.

OP posts:
Report
WipsGlitter · 13/02/2017 10:46

Me too! I bought a hush cover up dress last year and I was ok but made me look massive.

Good sunglasses
Dyed eyelashes
Slicked back hair

I got lovely sandals from Boden as well.

Report
AnotheBloodyChinHair · 13/02/2017 11:24

Footwear is yet another issue as I need to wear something comfortable, casual, beach appropriate AND with a bit of height. Looking for wedge flip flops at the mo.

OP posts:
Report
LapinR0se · 13/02/2017 11:31

I have moved to a country where it's very hot in the summer. This is hell for me as I work in an office and need to look put together even in 40 degrees with no air conditioning.
Like you I am deathly pale with hair that frizzes up at the slightest humidity.

This summer I am going for:
Exfoliated moisturised skin but no fake tan as it is stinky and looks orange on me
Natural fabrics ie cotton and silk (no linen, I always look like a bag lady when it crumples up)
Hair up in a flattering style

Report
AutumnalLeafs · 13/02/2017 11:38

Have you tried this?

It's a body lotion with a little bit of fake tan colour in. It's very easy to apply and gives a really natural result because it's not actually a "fake tan" (ie. much less colour and much less streaky).

<a class="break-all" href="//www.amazon.co.uk/Dove-Summer-Nourishing-Lotion-Normal/dp/B00BSS91GM/ref=pd_lpo_121_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Z7GK8P1DX92X90B65S3T&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">//www.amazon.co.uk/Dove-Summer-Nourishing-Lotion-Normal/dp/B00BSS91GM/ref=pd_lpo_121_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Z7GK8P1DX92X90B65S3T&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Report
LapinR0se · 13/02/2017 11:46

Yes I've tried that, the Johnson holiday skin version and the garnier summer body one. They are all orange streaky and stinky on me

Report
PossumInAPearTree · 13/02/2017 11:47

New Look have some of those long shirt cover ups in for half the price. Cotton and they look nice.

Report
MrsMeeseeks · 13/02/2017 11:53

Do you straighten your hair a lot? That can cause frizziness.

Report
bingolittle · 13/02/2017 11:54

Viscose (also called rayon) is NOT like polyester!

It may be man-made, but it's based on wood pulp, not plastic.

It's breathable and I find it much better than cotton in hot weather (drapes better, too). I jump in glee when I find something nice in viscose. Ghost clothes are normally a lovely drapy flattering viscose (or at least they used to be - not shopped there recently; too pricy.)

Report
bingolittle · 13/02/2017 11:56

Aspiga has nice wedge flipflops in beaded leather, although again they are pricy. But they last for ages and still look good.

Report
elQuintoConyo · 13/02/2017 11:59

Cotton.

Keep it simple (ie no frills, bits hanging off).

Try and buy colours that will mix and match well (everything blue or white, with the odd pink jacket thrown in, for example).

Make sure you are 100% happy in your clothes - so no hoiking up straps or pulling down hems etc.

I bought a white and blue maxidress from Lidl in 2015 (google is showing nothing ) that had wide straps, a decent high neck and was 100% cotton. I'm no Slimline Nelly but always get compliments when I wear it.

I'm 5ft4 and a sewer, tus I can quickly and easily lop off a couple of inches if something is too long - or add a lace underlay if it's too short. Is there anyone who could help adapt clothes that you love?

I must say, though, that I have plenty of body hangups (flabby upper arms, thunderthighs, wobbly stomach... to name but a few Grin) so in all honestly I'd be too worried about my own shit to worry about how others look. I have got to the stage in my life of 'don't like it? don't look' Grin

Report
AnotheBloodyChinHair · 13/02/2017 12:00

bingolittle I detest viscose. I know it's made from wood and it's supposed to be lighter than cotton, but actually it makes me sweat, it clings to all imperfections and it holds its shape horrifically after washing. Oh an it fades. Can you tell I'm not a fan Grin.

OP posts:
Report
Weebleswobbles · 13/02/2017 12:02

Have you tried a st tropez spray tan OP? I had one last year and will be getting more done this year as soon as Spring hits properly.

Report
bingolittle · 13/02/2017 12:03

Wow - I am a sweaty betty in general, but I do love my viscose!

Now acrylic, on the other hand... that should be made illegal. Also wool. So shopping for jumpers is basically a form of torture...

Report
AdoraBell · 13/02/2017 12:16

Another one who could have written the OP , plus I hate sandals because I have bunions of monstrous proportions.

Report
ChipmunkSundays · 13/02/2017 12:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ElspethFlashman · 13/02/2017 12:31

Try Fit Flops. They're quite high and as comfy as it gets.

And look on ASOS. They have a petite line and are getting loads of beach cover ups in right now. Loads of maxis too. Use the search box to find stuff as it's excellent and faster than ticking boxes as the site is vast.

Report

Newsletters you might like

Discover Exclusive Savings!

Sign up to our Money Saver newsletter now and receive exclusive deals and hot tips on where to find the biggest online bargains, tailored just for Mumsnetters.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Parent-Approved Gems Await!

Subscribe to our weekly Swears By newsletter and receive handpicked recommendations for parents, by parents, every Sunday.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

58NotBothered · 13/02/2017 12:35

Try East linen kaftans as a beach cover up.

Report
LoupGarou · 13/02/2017 12:46

I have olive-ish skin but I swear by Sally Hansen airbrush legs for bare legs, its sort of foundation for legs and a very light coating always makes mine look a million times better, that said out of my group of friends half love it and swear by it, they other half hate it. I have a lot of scarring and whilst I don't cover it up, when I tan and go fully olive I look like a zebra, so this helps my skin look smoother.

Report
ElspethFlashman · 13/02/2017 12:57

How about this one? It's cotton/silk and has the chest covered. You could chop a couple of inches off the bottom really easily. It's by Lands End. They have a couple of Jersey ones with a fairly high neck too.

I don't look good in the summer
Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.