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?

Linen trousers are a god send for me, cool, loose and long, wear year after year!
I think men are way worse than women! There were so many men walking round topless in and around the shopping centre yesterday, some with beers in hand. I agree, how do they get away with it? Put it away!

My OH constantly moans about how he wants to take his top off while its so hot..but feels its considered chavvy...but says no one bats an eyelid on tourist holiday destinations. .spain etc

I argue, regardless of where it is..no one wants to bloody see every other blokes beer belly.

except Ryan Gosling. .he can go topless all he likes.

Yesterday I saw a woman wearing a black maxi dress at least two sizes too small. Underneath that, she wore a pair of knickers that were also too small and were surely cutting off her circulation. She wasn't a large woman but the ill-fitting clothes made her look like she came in bits and had been put together by a child playing Lego.

I like maxi dresses - but as Lolly says, they just need to fit!

Snoot I can't believe some of the shorts the teenagers are wearing, you can see their actual bums! When did that become fashionable and how is it comfy? We were on the beach on sunday and there were girls as young as 11 or 12 wearing them- over my dead body would any child of mine walk out of the house in those!
Sorry, a bit off topic...

Nothing wrong with a maxi dress! I own a few myself. But those ones that are made of a really thin fabric resembling loo roll and embellished with massive flowers AND an animal print at the same time? Noooooo! Maybe if you're on a nice holiday in somewhere wafty and exotical but not wandering down Dudley High St on a Monday morning.

People don't know how to dress for any weather. I've seen people in sleeveless tops with body warmers when it's -5 and snowing. Of course, their cars keep them warm. Until they break down or get stuck in traffic and have to turn their engines off.

It started foggy, here, today. At 15C is was still very pleasant to be outdoors, walking, in a t-shirt. People were sending their kids to school with a jumper on and a padded coat over the top because the fog was a wee bit drizzly.

I live overseas, currently it's 44 and very humid. People generally look smart including fatty me because we do have the option to buy summer clothes and get value from them. So people have the right fabrics, shoes, accessories etc. You can always tell the tourists, too tight and shiny, with the (loving it) British tan, trying to get value for money with the sunshine.

Currently I'm wearing wide leg linen trousers, light cotton long length top and flats. Sadly the humidity has killed my hair.

Linen or light cotton wide-legged trousers here. I got a dozen pairs in different fabrics copied off a favourite old pair by a tailor when I was living in the ME. And I do usually wear long or mid-length sleeves in the heat. For me, more coverage in light fabric keeps me cooler, and limits the necessity to put factor 30 on every inch. Plus bra straps are a pain, and I hate the look of visible ones.

This is the sort of horror that I'm referring to

I'm always perfectly dressed for the weather

I do expose my neck and shoulders but that's because I tan at the slightest hint of sun so if I wear a high neck, sleeves or broad straps in the sun I will be stuck with the tan lines til December and it limits my clothing options somewhat! I'd actually love to be able to wear a cap sleeve top or something with a higher neck without it being imprinted on my skin for 6 months afterwards!

The weirdest part is I can never even it up again afterwards Even sunblock on the tanned bits doesn't help the paler bits catch up. I remember going on holiday when I was a kid, I had 3 swimsuits, all of them with different backs. By the end of the holiday my back looked like a patchwork quilt with stripes of different shaded of tan criss crossing it

You can't beat a nice maxi dress. Plain, fitted but not skin tight, non billowy material.

But yes, lots of people get it all shades of wrong. My pet hate though is men who wear 'shorts' that waggle around their ankles with bright white trainers.

And men in flip flops, my brain can barely process the horror!

Well I'm wearing a leopard print maxi dress (and hold-it-all-in sloggi pants!!).

Perfectly dressed for sitting inside mnetting the garden!

I have bought maxi dresses, i usually wear them when camping, i find them comfortable. Also when i am walking my dog, as i like long tops and haven't been able to find that many, clothes shopping has been a waste of time this year, including finding nice comfy footwear.

I take my Mum out in her wheelchair every day and have to stand on buses, so comfort and cost are the reason i choose to wear what i do.

I am not getting changed throughout the day, so dress to suit what i am spending most of my time doing.

I did enough stressing about what to wear in my late teens and twenties, now i am in my forties, i am pleasing myself and my lifestyle.

You'dlove me today twatty.

Giant white breastfeeding bra, pink granny knickers and spf15.

Sexy it aint.

I've been down to the shops this morning and nearly all the women I saw were in summer dresses or a loose top and light trousers. The men were again in shirts/t-shirts with either decent length shorts or cotton trousers.

But we're in the southern half of England so can expect a decent amount of actual warmth.

Is was people watching at the sea side on Sunday. People were out for a walk around the marina, the best dressed were wearing light trouser and nice tops. There were too many maxi dresses staining to stay up over boobs. The halter neck type isn't very practical for the large of nork. The worst offenders were the cut off jean shorts over opague tights, wtf is that all about? They must have been boiling.

I, of course, was a picture in cropped leggings with a loose dress over the top. Light grey with tiny little white skull on it.

Jeans and a polo t shirt here. I'm well classy and don't give a fuck I am in Scotland though. It's hardly the tropics.

Most maxi dresses are nice, what isn't nice is people squashing themselves into ones that are too small.
Just because you can squeeze in to a 12 it doesn't mean you are one

"Giant white breastfeeding bra, pink granny knickers and spf15."

PHWOOOAAAAARRRRR!

Maybe it is about the wearer, MrsD? I've seen a few of these frocks about the place but they are always worn with horrid cheapo Primark wedges, sunburned shoulders and tattoos of men's names.

Cool drinks cool you down. And ice-creams as well as showers. Hot drinks are good for winter, to warm us up.
I know in the dessert they drink hot tea among nomads (because there is no fridge)

desert...

Men really need to keep their tops on, when walking around though,. There was a very tanned, fit bloke walking his dog. He had a good body but looked ridiculous.

Also live in hot country and can spot a Brit on holiday a mile off. . The only time when I see a man walking around without a top on is when he is around the pool or at the beach. If I saw a man without a shirt on in a shopping centre or the like I think I may just platz! It could be Ryan Gosling then of course I would cop a feel quick but c'mon its just not right...

The Australians are quite ok with it, its no big deal to go to the shops in your bikini or boards short there.