To think summer clothes are a bit shit and it’s easier to look stylish in the cooler months?

[LadyGodivasCat]

I’ve been trying to find summer clothes. AIBU to want clothes that are good quality and will actually feel cool and comfortable to wear and look okay?

Everything seems to be super thin, weird lengths, sweaty fabrics or has patterns that look like a migraine with a hangover, or ditsy florals. Tank tops all seem to be racerback - we don’t all want to show off our bra.

It seems that it’s a lot easier to be comfortable and stylish in the autumn and winter. Even ordinary jeans and a jumper look better than most summer clothes.

Another Australia dweller here. I agree with the OP. Several years ago, we went back to the UK on a visit in the cooler months, and DD said how fab all the young people looked. To be fair this was a university city, so teeming with cooly-clothed whippersnappers. Seasons aside, and UK clothes being better back then, it was all about the covering up/re-styling of the bits one feels less confident about.

I'd like this thread not to go down the road of the flabby, whether for reasons of age/fat must cover up. As individuals we may make these decisions, e.g. my knees are not what what they were IMHO but if someone were to say I should cover them up as a duty to others' sensibilities, I'd be suggesting they fuck right off.

For myself I do not like to see beach clothes off the beach, e.g. flip-flops/ board shorts/singlets on men, in the shopping mall.

Agree, I much prefer spring and autumn when I can wear a few more layers, biker jacket over everything and a nice pair of ankle boots. The best is skinny jeans or leggings and a nice baggy jumper (but stylish not the potato sack variety) with boots and a long scarf and some shades if it’s a crisp sunny winter day
Fricking hate summer and getting my saggy arms out. I also hate mumsy flowery dresses and it’s de rigour in summer apparently (love them on other people just hate them on me).
Plus - every much dislike those sandals where 90% of the foot is hanging out , fine for holidays not for work

I think you can look good in the summer if you are slim.

I agree with pp- summer clothes are unfortunately best suited to slim people ie no more than size 10.

I prefer summer clothes as I don't like to feel encumbered and constrained by layers if jumpers, scarves, coats, boots etc.

I think the main problem is that it is difficult to find quality clothes these days regardless if the season. I never wear spaghetti straps, and I don't find it difficult to find clothes without them.Also summer clothes aren't always skimpy.

So YAB a bit U because I think you are looking in the wrong shops. There are a lot of midi dresses around with three quarter length sleeves at the moment.

I'm just disappointed that we haven't had any hot weather where I live and am still in jeans and socks.

Grumpos The best is skinny jeans or leggings and a nice baggy jumper (but stylish not the potato sack variety) with boots and a long scarf and some shades if it’s a crisp sunny winter day

That sounds lovely, but personally I'd need thermal leggings under jeans, and several tops/jumpers so would look like a potato sack anyway. (At least until I started walking somewhere, at which point I'd need a spare suitcase with me to carry all the layers until I stopped and cooled down again...)

So I love the summer for being able to wear clothes for style rather than warmth! The only downside is footwear as I walk a lot daily so need sturdy but stylish sandals. And cooler evenings (the suitcase of spare clothes issue again...)

Perhaps we all just need spring and autumn weather all the time with no extremes!

I think half the trouble is that summer weather can be so unreliable in this country that I tend not to invest in summer clothes as much as winter ones. I know I'll always get wear from a good quality jumper and jeans, but a summer dress can be a bit iffier - we don't go on hot holidays () so no excuse there either.

I think I look ok in summer but it certainly takes me a bit longer to decide what to wear than in the other three seasons. Mind you, I do start to feel a bit swathed in jumpers by April or May, so it's nice to have a change!

I prefer summer clothes to winter clothes, but prefer winter shoes to summer shoes. My feet are so uncomfortable in summer, unless they're in trainers. Flip flops need to die!

Agreed! I love winter clothes. Most summer clothes in the shops are just awful.

Winter clothes are a lot more forgiving. I agree with the spaghetti straps and funny backs, we can't all go braless

You are in the UK, so the OP is being reasonable. I have been in France for a week and saw more stylishly dressed women (and men) than I will see in a year in the UK. On the day of 35C and those of 18C.

I much prefer winter clothes too. Living in the far North of Scotland we don't get many really warm summer days, last year was an exception. My winter go to is ankle boots, skinny jeans, long sweater etc like a previous poster. I bought a Protected Species light coloured parka last year and it's literally one of my favourite pieces of clothing. Throw on over winter get up if it's raining and over summerish clothes when it's raining ... usually a lot.

I think half the trouble is that summer weather can be so unreliable in this country that I tend not to invest in summer clothes as much as winter ones.

Totally agree with this. I do have a lot of summer dresses, shorts etc but they barely see the light of day unless we are abroad.

Agree OP. I am older and not slim. Bare arms, bar legs, bare shoulders are all unattractive. But I have good colouring and am roughly in proportion so a good pair of jeans/trousers and a colourful jumper or jacket looks fine with boots. A strapless, backless, sleeveless, floaty affair with sandals does not!

I feel like this winter I finally nailed my look. Thick black jumpers with leather leggings, good heeled Chelsea boots, a beautiful fitting black coat.

Summer is here and I'm 6 months pregnant which doesn't help in the slightest. There is no stylish summer maternity wear. It's all polka dots, cold shoulders and ditsy florals - and grim.

It's a myth that all summer clothes have spaghetti straps, are skimpy and show a lot of flesh. I manage to find and wear summer clothes that are none of these. Where are you all looking?

Shoes are the big issue for me in summer. How do you stop the soles getting sweaty, slimy and gross? I love wearing deck shoes with no socks for example but very quickly they become unwearable. Same with all shoes except some very open sandals. Maybe it’s just me.

I know what you mean. In very hot weather I wear sandals. Mine got worn rather a lot last year. They haven't seen daylight yet this year

I think half the trouble is that summer weather can be so unreliable in this country that I tend not to invest in summer clothes as much as winter ones

I agree. Living in Australia my summer wardrobe is more used than it was in the UK. I have more open shoes and wear nail varnish on the tootsies for most of the year. Hats and sunnies are year-round accessories, though I have winter and summer hats.

Having said that, I have spent more money on winter clothes, merino, woollen jumpers, a good down coat to keep out the chill of Melbourne, but then still have them years later, still doing well.

@Figmentofmyimagination make sure the shoes are leather or natural materials so your feet can breathe, and ideally you want to alternate shoes so they can dry out properly in between wears.

I agree as i think that only slender/ slim people can look good in half the clothes i see for the summer - winter is so much easier for me as i can hide away under the layers and its not too hot as well. its meant to get hot this week in the UK and i am dreading it as i've got nothing much to wear that is ' summery' and i know that if i buy anything it will look awful - dresses dont suit me, no sleeves tops are horrible - sandals hurt my feet too. i hate it all.

I partly agree. I think first of all it is easier to dress to flatter your figure in layers. But, also, I don’t find it a problem dressing nicely for genuinely hot weather - maxi dresses, sunglasses, shorts and shirts, etc - all easy. But I find it reeeeallly hard dressing for this kind of muggy in-between weather - is it going to rain? Can I wear sandals or do I need closed shoes? Shall I take a jacket? Etc.

oh no, I love summer clothes! dresses, midi-skirts, sundresses. With a nice pair of sandals (or slingbacks for work). What's not to love?

Keep the flip flops, strappy tops and shorts for the beach and you're fine.

I have so many dresses - I need to move to a hot place!