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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

335 replies

MarmaladeTwatkins · 08/07/2013 13:11

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?! Confused 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?

OP posts:
LilacPeony · 09/07/2013 22:53

I've seen a lot of women in summer dresses who i have thought looked very nice. Unfortunately i don't have the figure for one, so i stick with jeans and a t shirt, so i think i don't dress appropriately for the weather but a lot of women i've seen do!

ShoeWhore · 09/07/2013 23:05

Today I'm wearing a cotton tea dress, short sleeved and knee length. Fab print. With flats. I think I look alright!

For the past few years I've bought a summer dress in the sales - they don't seem to have dated so now I have 4 summer dresses I like and when it's hot I wear each of them and chuck in the wash every 3-4 days (by which time the hot weather is usually over anyway lol) I don't like shorts much so they really work for me and I haven't spent a fortune.

You do see some sights though don't you?!

Lavenderloves · 10/07/2013 06:28

There is nothig wrong with mai dresses, one of my most complimented dresses is a maxi dress. ( black with tiny coloured flowers) just like there is nothing wrong with jeans. Certain maxi dresses look bad, just like certain jeans look bad, it's all in the cut.

This year i picked up 6 cotton dresses in my charity shop, all like new, all donated by the same person (she had great taste) i'm rocking this summer.

ShaggingZumbaStylee · 10/07/2013 06:57

this is on bbc 1 now

BadSkiingMum · 10/07/2013 07:27

I went on the tube in the very hot summer of 09 and sat down next to a man wearing a full deep-sea fishing outfit - thick yellow waterproof trousers, thick yellow waterproof jacket and huge boots. It was about 30 degrees that day!

He had taken off his sou'wester though.

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 10/07/2013 09:39

Just to clarify; there is NOTHING wrong with maxi dresses!

Just those awful thin lurid ones from the market, worn with raffia wedges from Primark.

OP posts:
Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 10/07/2013 09:50

Maxi frocks that are not hideous...

Exhibit 1

Not hideous

Nice

Nice as well

For clarification:

grim

grimmer

grimmest

especially when worn with...

OP posts:
DocMarten · 10/07/2013 09:50

I have just pmsl all the way through this thread. Love it! Grin

Boomba · 10/07/2013 10:00

You are a snob OP!

those Warehouse dresses are as equally hideous as the cheap ebay ones

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 10/07/2013 10:03

I beg to differ.

The patterns don't look like Show Me Show Me has been interpreted into a dress and they aren't sweaty fabric.

I am a snob though, I'll take that.

OP posts:
Threewindmills · 10/07/2013 10:04

I agree - there is generally too much flesh on display at the moment! Floaty not tight things are better. Strappy tops/strapless look good only on a minority of people (they don't look good on me). Men with white chests walking around with a beer belly - not a good look!! more often looks much better and if in the right material and colour is just as comfortable

IneedAyoniNickname · 10/07/2013 10:11

I also beg to differ op.

My opinions on your dresses are:

Exhibit 1...yuck

Not hideous...yuck!

Nice...I like it, but it doesn't come in my size

Nice as well...nice but would probably only just fit.

For clarification:

grim...I like these, my maxi dress is a plain black version, and I may order the black and white one so thanks for the link!

grimmer...ok I agree!

grimmest... Agree again

especially when worn with...I wouldn't wear them, but wouldn't judge someone who did!

bettycocker · 10/07/2013 10:13

I also have no idea what to wear. Last summer was awful and I was expecting more of the same this year, so didn't bother buying any summer clothes.

I agree about showing too much flesh. OK for the young, slender and toned, older people can end up looking like mutton dressed as lamb.

People in hot countries seem to have the right idea. Loose cotton clothes that cover the skin.

FreudiansSlipper · 10/07/2013 10:20

i thought those dresses were horrible

the very bright ones look good on slim toned women under 25

i like plain maxi dresses i do not wear them i am short and a little too tubby

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 10/07/2013 10:38

Maybe I have got it wrong then and bright elasticated maxis are OK? I wouldn't wear any of them myself as I have the figure of a Weeble and I would look terrible.

I'll open myself up for mocking. I am wearing this today On the model it looks like a mini dress but it is knee length on me, so I can wear it with the dreaded leggings! Hurrah! Don't usually like black and white but it ticks all of my others boxes (sleeves,covers fat knees/isn't sweaty material)

OP posts:
IneedAyoniNickname · 10/07/2013 11:04

Everyone saying they can't wear maxi dresses as they are too short, I'm only 5ft 1, and I have more than one that are fine. Lots of places sell them in shorter lengths :)

Pinkglow · 10/07/2013 11:16

I like Maxi dresses, they make me look pregnant but are nice on other ppl. Only time I was abit Shock at a maxi dress was the other day as the lady in question had the most massive boobs but was in a strapless one with no bra.

I refuse to buy loads of new clothes just for three weeks of the year so I tend to buy stuff I can wear in the spring as well or I'll buy dresses I can also wear with tights and a cardigan so at least I get all year wear out of them.

Rachtoteach · 10/07/2013 11:24

To the size 16, big boobed, 5ft 2 lady in a maxi dress - you look lovely, very summery and full of body confidence.

To the size 10, 5ft 8 lady in short shorts - well, if you've got it flaunt it, I would if I had it.

To all of you that judge, judge, judge - what is lacking in your life that means you have nothing better to do that worry about what other people are wearing?!

People of all shapes and sizes should simply make the best of themselves, dress appropriately for their age and shape and be body confident. We don't all get it right all of the time but, come on......

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 10/07/2013 11:27

"People of all shapes and sizes should simply make the best of themselves, dress appropriately for their age and shape and be body confident."

I agree.

But where does tottering around with sunburn/bra out on display/beer belly not encased in a top fit into all of this Gok Wan-esque GO SISTAH talk?

OP posts:
merrymouse · 10/07/2013 11:29

The problem is that by the time you've remembered that your shoulders always burn and you have bought the right bra summer is over.

FreudiansSlipper · 10/07/2013 11:32

i am 5'2 have massive knockers (32h) and tubby (12/14h) i am carrying too much weight for my build i would not look good in a maxi dress

its simple and really some fake sisterhood you look good in anything you feel good in does not make a bit of difference i know thankfully when i do not good in something

Original poster
MarmaladeTwatkins · 10/07/2013 11:37

Same, Freudian.

I will wear a t-shirt maxi occasionally but I will buy it a size too big to avoid the visible bulges at the pant area (of which I have many) and will have to slather my arms/chest in gradual tanner so that my undercooked ham hock arms do not hurt anyone's eyes.

It would probably be nice to have the confidence to not give a shit, though...

OP posts:
Wiifitmama · 10/07/2013 11:41

I am currently sporting a lovely knee length summer dress with thin straps that is about 40 years old! It was my mums in her early twenties and I think it looks fab!

I am very short (5'3"), a size 10, but with massive bingo wings from huge weight loss and currently sporting burned shoulders. I feel comfy, like the dress, and couldn't care less what anyone else thinks!

BigBoobiedBertha · 10/07/2013 11:42

I don't see all these topless men some of you mention. Am I not looking in the right places?

Actually, I tell a lie, I saw a rather buff and toned black guy (so most definitely not lobster red) sauntering down the road when I was driving to pick up DS from school. I wasn't complaining about seeing him. I looked out for him on the way back too.Grin

I don't much like strappy tops on burnt people though, it makes me wince.

Knee length A line skirt and t-shirt here. I think I look OK. Not the height of fashion but not hot and not revealing.

FreudiansSlipper · 10/07/2013 11:43

i am olive skinned which is a bonus at times though i do love pale skin, my mum has the smoothest pale skin no blemishes and she does not burn

if you are happy fine but really if we are talking about looking good some clothes just look on the slim and toned and sometimes young its pants at times