To think that the British just don't know how to dress for summer?

[MarmaladeTwatkins]

Me included.

During the heat wave, I don't think I've seen a single person dressed nicely/appropriately. Same when I've been abroad. I fully accept that it might just be where I live/go on holiday, btw.

I just don't think that the British can do summer clothes very well. Maybe because we don't get that much of it? And what is this thing for men wandering around public areas without a top on? When did that become acceptable?! You don't see the men of Greece or Italy wandering around the streets without a top. It makes for grim viewing.

Am I being a miserable twat?

Yanbu. It's because the hot weather is so infrequent we just don't know how to deal with it when it arrives. It's fecking hot. Any truth in the idea that a hot drink actually cools you down?

no twatkins you are not - i am sick of the sight of huge flabby burnt red backs in 'strappy tops' (bleeeee) with rolls of fat and breasts all hanging, and men's lumpy old legs in vile shorts, and topless men with their skin all burnt.
and it is hardly even all that hot - i mean it is not Crete is it?
i am wearing jeans and a t-shirt

I think I look pretty good . Im wearing a lightweightblack maxi skirt, black vest and sandals. Why are you wearing jeans?!

I know what you mean. I hate summer and never change how I dress throughout the year, I wear jeans, a top and a jumper regardless of the weather including winter, no coat for me here, although sometimes I am daring and wear a scarf!

No idea why I do this to myself but always have done, although I think it is a self confidence issue with me wearing too much despite the horrible heat. But I agree with the whole tops off thing, seems to be quite a British phenomenon!

because I really don't find it all that hot - too many summers in Greece, Israel etc

I always try to keep my shoulders covered. Loose, flowing clothing is the way to go - not exposing as much skin as possible to get a 'tan', i.e. lobster-skin.

How can you wear jeans or long-sleeved anything in this heat?!

I'm 24 and I'll admit I'm not really dressed appropriately - short shorts and a tank top, but I'm not going anywhere except for a driving lesson later and I refuse to sit here and melt for the sake of looking good!

Totally - I just drove through Belgrave in Leicester (huge asian population). The men there (mostly older ones out at this time of day), were perfectly dressed for the weather. They were wearing cool-looking short sleeved shirts, loose trousers and sandals. Put the brits to shame. I think women are generally better than men, but have seen a few frights - mostly very thin jersey maxi dresses which show every lump and bump, on very overweight women

I'm only wearing jeans because I was in a mad rush this morning! They are cropped skinnies though so at least a BIT summery

Yy to confidence issues. I have NONE. I would never expose my legs above the knee, or my arms above about three inches above the elbow.

But some seem to have a bit too much confidence and really don't maind showing off a lot of their bodies.

I'm too cheap to buy special summer clothes for the two or three weeks a year they get worn so my summer outfit consists of last years maternity wear if it still looks ok, some cropped jeans and a linen skirt.

Other than that its variations on jeans and tunic here too.

The lurid maxi dresses worn with raffia wedges. :(

Ha! I was people watching yesterday - from the shade of the coffee shop awning, not out in the baking sun - and thought the same! (me being so perfectly dressed for the weather of course )

I'm Irish and I'm dressed beautifully for the weather.

So glad it's not just me, jeans here too

Loving the idea of a British tan, Lobster-skin!

I'm too short for maxi things and -too fat- for shorts, what's left? Jeans of course, my all year go to.

Jesssime, a doctor told DD recently that cold drinks don't cool you down because your body raises it's core temperature to warm the drink to blood temperature. Don't know if it' right or not.

Because the inside of my house is cool so I refuse to freeze. When I step outside I melt. IM not changing in between.

Playsuits just slightly too small so the camel-effect comes into play...

I live in a tourist resort so see a lot of people either shoehorned into too small shorts with bright red shoulders, or those determined to wear their summer clothes because they're on holiday and are quite obviously freezing.

I'm just wearing a loose red and white striped maxi dress and flipflops, all wobbly bits under cover

What's wrong with maxi dresses?

This is what I'm wearing today and I is lookin well elegant
ivory and black shift

Nothing wrong with Maxi dresses Smite. They just need to fit properly .

Wedge sandals, cropped combats and peachy cream patterned Tshirt.

Legs not up to public display, shoulders burn.

Do not understand strapless maxi dresses, shoes string strapped vests unless you have the figure for them or are in your own garden.

Everyone here is wearing those tight man-made bodycon dresses in lurid mirror-image prints. Bleugh. Must be boiling.

By "everyone" I mean about 40% of women..

Loads of bad fake tan too.

And hideous men wearing low slung joggers (WTF) and no tops. Yuck.

(I don't look much better though... )

Smite there is nothing wrong with a maxi dress IMO it covers quite a bit of the things I do not want to see exposed!

I'm 5'4" and look ridiculous in one

I went into town yesterday, a very conservative market town in the south east, and every single woman bar one was in shorts. They looked good and as comfortable as possible in linen and cotton with the shorts a mid thigh length as a rule. The one woman in jeans looked uncomfortable and out of place. The teenage girls were either in micro shorts or full length leggings, what's that all about?