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 don't have amazing legs so it's cropped leggings with short dresses for me (i'm too short for maxi dresses & trousers)..

Actually, I'm still recoiling from a few weeks ago when I saw someone who is probably about 5' and fairly hefty, squeezed into light coloured daisy dukes, about the same colour as her pasty legs (they're about the same colour as my pasty legs, but I tend to keep them under wraps, above the knee). She had a cameltoe at the back. She's a lovely lady, but it really wasn't a good look.

It wasn't even that hot.

Also am sick of seeing girls and women wearing bum-cheek exposing daisy dukes...

I'm 5ft 2 and live in maxi dresses in this weather. Preferably linen.

How can anyone not dress for the weather? I don't get it.
Summer lasts 6 months here and gets old after a while, but capri pants cotton tees, some with cap sleeves some short and some sleeveless are acceptable from 20 on up.
I never go spaghetti straps as thats asking for lobster red shoulders.
I never wear shorts anymore, no matter how hot, no need to subject the general public to that anymore.
Dh wears shorts under his coveralls for work (mechanic) once it's over 20. last week it was 40 and he still had to wear his coveralls.
Daisy dukes are the worst thing ever. Not good on anyone but worse on anyone over 18. or anyone with an inch of fat on them.

I'm another jeans/t-shirt/jumper wearer. I'm so bad that people actually comment if I'm not wearing my usual jumper & jeans. Somehow I always wear the same outfit even though I have loads of clothes! I'm reaching the point where I'm going to have to admit that my mother's huge-hips genes have finally kicked in &, combined with 2 babies, I'm never going to look good comfortably fit in my size 8 skinny clothes again.

Today I wore my uniform polo shirt & shoe-horned myself into size 8 knee length denim shorts. I was not comfortable! As soon as I got home I stripped the DC into their nappies & changed into a strappy vest top & size 12 cropped PJ bottoms.

I've got to get some weather-appropriate clothing that actually fits but:
a. I have no style,
b. I hate shopping because clothes are not made for people who are 5' with huge hips who like simple clothes without logos, bright colours, patterns, frills, etc...
c. DH says I'm not 'allowed' to buy any more clothes until I can actually get at least one of my 3 drawers to close & don't have another huge box waiting to be sorted through!

I need to go on a reality show where they get rid of all my old clothes & tell me what to wear!

SquinkiesRule Summer lasts 6 months here and gets old after a while, but capri pants cotton tees, some with cap sleeves some short and some sleeveless are acceptable from 20 on up.

There is summer at 20C and there is summer at 30C. You need a different wardrobe for 20C vs 30C. (Some here even pointed at 40C summers). For british summers, I tend to wear skinny jeans with layered tops. If I wear the same thing in Hong Kong, I'd be smelling vile an hour out the door, and probably have heat rash patches on my thighs. I went to Singapore and Malaysia last year and it's even hotter. The humidity is insane and you could drip sweat just from the 10min walk to the tube station!

The things you wear in summer in Spain and Greece would be suitable for the tropics. But maybe something less for a beach holiday, but more a city break? It's a big problem really to pack things that are appropriate!

I have tops that are either sleeveless or have airy armpits for 30C. Sweat patches is not a good look. For my bottom half, I wear cotton skirts or shorts. Dresses would work too, but I tend to buy separate tops and bottoms so I could wear the same tops here in the UK, sometimes layered depending on how cold hot it is.

I keep away from my town centre in weather like this.

Short shorts and cheapo boob tubes with burnt and peeling shoulders.

I think the aim is to wear as little as possible.

I have a lot of lovely cotton summer dresses. They are all a) too small and b) not suitable for whipping my boobs out at short notice*

It's not faiiiiirrrr

*For breastfeeding DD2. Not for shits n' giggles.

Anyway what I'm saying is that maybe SquinkiesRule doesn't like in jeans and cardigans/jackets in British summers, but plenty of us do. Then we need something lighter for proper summers, you see?

I saw a lady yesterday wearing SHORT shorts and a string best halter neck with the smallest bra ever on underneath it. Coupled with high high gold wedges and loads of gold jewellery.

She was about 60ish and had the skin of a well loved leather sofa.

I didn't know whether to reach for the eye bleach or applaud her for her amazing self confidence, she clearly felt comfy in it.

no one needs summer clothes in scotland surely? the highest it gets is 14 degrees.

Its 30 in my garden atm

I wear lovely clothes in the summer. My advice is to-

Buy a few nice dresses, which fit really well.

As soon as there is hint of good weather start using a gradual leg tanner.

I use st Tropez everyday cream. It is very easy, doesn't smell
too much, and doesn't streak. It's £10 a tube but lasts for ages. After every shower I put it on, and my legs now have a lovely light tan.

i hjave to change out of comfy beach clothes into worky dress and go to meet sweltering new parents at work in a bit

Pft. You'd swear from the way everyone is carrying on in Glasgow that it was actually hot. It's nice and warm but everyone is skulking around with furrowed brows saying 'Ooooooh it's a bit too warm out there'.

Some of those dresses linked are goooorgeous!! Can I ask a slightly random question... The poster/s (sorry, on phone, can't check who) that posted links to the polyvore maxi dress, could you tell me what size you wear and the length from the big in the middle of the boobs to the floor? (Sorry, I'm 6ft and ankle grazing maxi dresses are the worst!!) thank you so much!!

You have all scared me a little bit. I'm short and norky and old and I have just ordered a maxi dress. This will be my first since I was bridesmaid for my big sister in 1975. I'm now petrified that I will look like a Dalek and end up on someone's point and laugh FB page

I usually wear cotton summer dresses or linen skirts and trousers. My shorts and strappy tops only get worn when I'm abroad.

I did take DD1 shopping at the weekend and forced her to buy some natural fabrics. She is the queen of polyester. She gave in gracefully when she realised I was paying

I'm not particularly good at looking good in the summer. I have too much saggy flesh so tend to cover up.

Yesterday I was in Sainsbury's behind a woman in white leggings with no knickers on.

It wasn't pretty.

YABU.

It's not just the British.

I spent years in hot countries and I've seen things that would fry your brain.

When I am old, I will live in Italy, in a village populated by elegantly linen-clad greying fabulous cooks with huge libraries and vineyards.

I will set the dogs on anyone whose clothes are too tight, an annoying colour, or show even an inch of fried livid flesh.

I came home with this

www.clothingattesco.com/dresses/f+f-side-knot-jersey-dress/invt/bd313337/&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-dresses

From Tesco, the colour is much bolder but it actually looks lovely on me and covers my lumps and bumps, is keeping me cool in the 30 degree heat and it was only £12.

I'm 5ft and it comes to the top of my calf.