Dreading the summer...

[teenyweenytadpole]

Please help a depressed 40-something who hates summer dressing. I like autumn and spring, I can wear a nice coat or jacket, boots, scarves and things like that. I never know what to wear for the warmer weather. I have big norks (so nothing sleeveless or low cut), psoriasis on my elbows (so no short sleeves), varicose veins (so nothing too short). I am also a bit overweight (size 16 and 5 foot 4) although I am doing my best with that (already lost a stone). I need casual clothes that don't look too mumsy or too formal. I want to look funky without being too overdone. Dresses and heels are too, well, dressy. I have been looking for a nice lightweight casual blazer to wear with jeans or trousers, can't find one anywhere. Have also been looking for casual dresses but all the shops seem full of quite structured/formal types of things. Any suggestions oh wise ones???

I saw blazers in h and m and Zara today. There was a nice pink one in h and m,
What about a jersey ish long skirt and some t shirts with gladiator sandals or ballerina shoes?
Can't remember where I saw nice skirts but there s a few around - maybe it was hush or mint velvet ? , you could get t shirts or tops w sheer sleeves ( warehouse have some) or maybe gap?

I agree zara and h &m good for blazers. I have just got these from monsoon and they are stretchy material. I will wear with flats and summer scalf. How about great plains for dresses?

Depends on your style really. Uniqlo have jersey blazers - push up the sleeves. You could try a block colour maxi skirt, there are quite a few around, and a denim jacket would look good with that. Belts, worn under jackets give a pulled together look. Personally, I would avoid anything linen, crumpled, slubbed or printed, as this can look mumsy, but you may love that kind of thing.

blazer like this ;www.hm.com/gb/product/96893?article=96893-E#article=96893-B
or cropped denim jacket? www.newlook.com/shop/womens/jackets-and-coats/cropped-denim-jacket_241432640

What about summery dresses with a scoop neck top , you know the sort with sleeeves to your elbows?www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33053&storeId=12552&productId=4584818&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208648&parent_categoryId=208600&pageSize=200&refinements=category~[208783|208648]&noOfRefinements=1
www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33053&storeId=12552&productId=4907784&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208648&parent_categoryId=208600&pageSize=200&refinements=category~[208783|208648]&noOfRefinements=1

these kind of dresses with(i know theyre hated on here ) cropped leggings?
or skinny jeans ?

sorry im rubbish with links !hopefully someone more styish than me can be more helpful :)

www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33053&storeId=12552&productId=4584818&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208648&parent_categoryId=208600&pageSize=200&refinements=category~[208783|208648]&noOfRefinements=1

www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33053&storeId=12552&productId=4907784&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208648&parent_categoryId=208600&pageSize=200&refinements=category~[208783|208648]&noOfRefinements=1

I also am large of nork and find Zara a bit nippit in that department. An XL was still too small and I am "only" a 30F.

Would you wear this season's bright colours? M and Co: this jacket

I wear a lot of cardis in summer when a jacket seems too formal.

White stuff can be mumsy and poor quality, BUT, they often have 3/4 length sleeved tops, are quite generously sized on skirts and trousers, and it's easy to buy a whole outfit. You might have to size up for norms though.

Norks! Not norms!

Hi all thanks for ideas, I love the M&Co blazer but had in my mind that I wanted a navy one to wear with bright blue or bright green jeans, maybe I should do the bright blue jacket with denim or white jeans instead. I hadn't thought of a longer skirt but quite like the idea of the denim jacket with one, will give it a try. I like the grey DP dress but that feels like a "going out" dress to me rather than a day dress. I lead quite a rural sort of life so jeans and wellies are more common round these parts than dresses! Thanks - keep the suggestions coming!

My winter wardrobe is black boots, leggings and dress. This week I have bought some lighter coloured dresses and tan boots. That's what I'm wearing this summer. :)

Zara and H&M blazers didn't fit over my norks, sorry to say.

Zara sizing- AGAIN grrr. I love their clothes though. Just can't fit into them

Same problem here with H&M, made for skinny young things I think.

You can wear dresses in the outdoors too! I can often be found walking the dog in mud, climbing over fences etc. in a dress and wellies!

I have copious norkage too, and find summer a bit of a faff. Lovely summer dresses look cheap when your boobs are spilling out of them, and bigger sized bras are generally too ugly to risk a strap showing - so thats anything spaghetti-strapped out.

I tend wear blouses with nice cardis over and straight leg trousers. You know those blouses that are shaped like T-shirts?? I can never think how to describe them. They are flattering and age appropriate, and the cardi over slims down the boobage.

HTH