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?

I've seen plenty of young women and teenage girls wearing those cheek skimming denim sorts and skimpy little dresses. They might as well enjoy wearing them whilst they are young enough to get away with it.

The only thing that made me think wtf was a rather large lady with the most mahoosive norks I have ever seen. She was braless and I couldn't fathom how it would have been comfortable to have all that weight swinging about and chafing. Maybe that's just me though.

My problem is that I have a day or two travelling to meetings at least once a week over the next month and they are FORMAL. I mean, Swiss banker formal, suits and pearls formal. A dress and a cardi is not going to cut it.

I've been getting away with a jersey LK Bennett (non maternity) dress (this one but in plum), silver bracelet sleeve jacket and low grey heels. And last week in Geneva I nearly died of heat stroke. was the actual colour of my face by the end of the day. So yeah, 28 weeks pregnant + heat + formal suits + travelling = ARRGH.

Next round of meetings is Thurs/Fri in Paris - forecast is 27c and I have to go over on the Eurostar in formal gear.

So how do the pregnant French/Italians/Spaniards do it? Any suggestions??

(I might take this over to S&B for advice as well)

HAHA, Sallyingforth - hope you're not expecting the window cleaner today. I've just ordered some nice t-shirt style maxis in plain colours and stripes from Dorothy Perkins, must more stylish and flattering than the billowy, big top type of things imo. Obviously I've yet to try them on!

One of the mothers at school wears the same outfit all year round - black jeans, black sandshoe things and a black Barbour type jacket, zipped up to the neck, whether it is -5 and blizzarding, or sweltering at nearly 30 deg C . She drives a top of the range car and they go on very nice holidays before anyone suggests a lack of funds.

Xiao, have you looked at Isabella Oliver?

Ooh thanks Bad - some of those things look perfect! But they appear to be online only and I leave on the 7am Eurostar on Thursday. I didn't think it would be this hot this week.

Oh well, instead of spending ££ on a new outfit maybe I can blow it on taxis to ferry me about in air-conditioned comfort rather than braving the metro.

Not a problem Carol as I have a CCTV monitor that shows anyone approaching the front door. Not that I'm at all precious about being seen au naturel as I'm a naturist and am often about the house/garden like this.

One of the mothers at school wears the same outfit all year round - black jeans, black sandshoe things and a black Barbour type jacket, zipped up to the neck, whether it is -5 and blizzarding, or sweltering at nearly 30 deg C . She drives a top of the range car and they go on very nice holidays before anyone suggests a lack of funds.

Ooooo, we might know the same person. Does she have long brown hair?

This thread has caused me to spend the day scrutinising people's outfits and yes, I can see what you lot are getting at..! There has been some 'interesting' sights.

I am wearing a pink tea dress made by my mum (100% cotton, just above knee length) so I am both cool and sensibly covered.

I'm 5ft1, and size 20.
I wear shorts and vest tops, or a lightweight black maxi dress. Both with flip flops/pretty sandals.

Frankly I don't give a stuff if people think I'm showing too much flesh (ie my flabby back and arms) I'm comfortable, not too hot, and bearing in mind i hate how I look, feel ok in these things.

oh i am shit at dressing for hot weather too

and there are some real sights to be seen at my dcs school this time of year as well.....

To me it seems a bit of a waste to invest in a whole new wardrobe for like, three weeks of sunshine... I pretty have the same clothes all year round (I just add a hoodie in the winter)

Though this year is an exception for me, this summer I am sporting summer maternity wear! (yay me). It's dire. I don't do shorts, I'm barely comfortable with cropped jeans and I don't ever bare my upper arms.

I don't dwell. I'd rather look like a confused British person in the sun than someone who looks like they've just had their clothes stolen as they left the house.

I hate maxis and hot pants, both which seem to be around in abundance today. Prefer something a bit more inbetween.

I'm just wearing dresses slightly above my knees these days with some Sally Hanson Airbrush legs to take the bare look away, and ballet pumps. Going for a pedicure tomorrow so I can get out the sandals.
On days when I'm not quite sure what it's going to be like I put leggings on with the dress.

I have seen some people around dressed as if it's February and I don't know how they're not passing out.

haha exactly kirjava - i feel like calling out 'wheres ya troosers!?'
never mind not knowing how to dress - what is it with seafront cafes with no shade or awning and everyone sitting there baking in the hot sun? sSO uncomfortable!

I am wearing a navy dress with little birds on it, Oasis, high-necked, cap sleeves, couple of inches above the knee, flippy skirt. I think it's ok for the weather. There is a woman in my office wearing a stripy halterneck maxi. I do judge - exposed back showing tan lines is not office-appropriate, IMO.

MrsRajesh - Yes, she does!

Racking my brain now to see if I can remember anyone wearing a pink teadress today .

Give me the initials of the Headteacher and we'll know if it's the same school. Obviously you don't have to!

Give me the initials of the Headteacher and we'll know if it's the same school. Obviously you don't have to!

Mrs Hiscock is the head. No idea what her first name is.

It's not so much the too-small maxi dress in cheap fabric and lurid print - but the addition of a skanky bra on display.

One mum at school this morning had on a green strapless maxi and a white bra [shocked]. At least the bra was clean, I suppose.

Assuming you don't have an occupation where you need to present a professional image at all times I don't think its unreasonable not to have a smart summer wardrobe if you live in the UK. Just so glad its sunny, couldn't care less what anybody else is wearing.

I totally yearn for the days I could wear midi dresses but I now have major scarring and chunks of flesh missing on my legs after an accident.

But summer for me consists of rolled up skinnies and a loose top or a maxi. I do have days when I wear shorter lengths but then I just get looked at anyway and usually have to explain why my legs look like they've been through a mangle which doesn't exactly upset me but does make me even more self-conscious.

Although I love the heat, I look much better in the winter when I can wear boots and tights.

MrsRaj - I looked at your profile and you live miles and miles away from me. Also different head teacher. So I can only conclude there are at least two of these long haired women around, who are totally oblivious to heat and cold, and who only possess one set of clothes.

The alien invasion has started .

Can anyone recommend a nice black cotton maxi dress? For a short fatty?

I agree with threestars comment that it is very difficult to find good summer clothes ! I was looking for 'tea-dress' style dresses today, and really struggled to find one that was cotton/ cotton mix - so many of them were polyester or viscose. Though I suppose I should be grateful that shops still had their summer stock and weren't full of new season autumn/winter clothes :)

MrsRaj - I looked at your profile and you live miles and miles away from me. Also different head teacher. So I can only conclude there are at least two of these long haired women around, who are totally oblivious to heat and cold, and who only possess one set of clothes.

Well, they must sisters at the very least..!

Saw her today. Zipped right up to the neck, head to toe in black. Same outfit all year for the entire six years DS has attended the school.

Tomorrow I will be wearing this to work but I don't know what to wear on my feet! Normally I team that dress with white loafers but too hot for loafers, especially in central London.

Someone said up thread that they think Londoners do summer dressing very well and I have to agree. Maybe it's the combination of good shops and generally good weather.

I don't include myself in that category though! I'm not as slim as I was so can't wear half the things I'd love to. I'm afraid I'm a cropped jeans and stripe t shirt addict, only have a couple of nice summer work dresses.

Ok, what;s wrong with maxi dresses?! I think they look lovely and summery. I'd wear one myself if I wasn't 5"3. (I'm such a short arse they'd drown me and I'd trip over my own feet and land in a heap on the flooe.)