Right, I bloody hate summer clothes

[hunkermunker]

I have a list of reasons I look bloody awful in summer clothes including eczema and general squashiness - do I have to buy that Cath Kidston teepee to look remotely summery or is there something I can do, short of...er...some mad head transplant surgery onto someone willowy?

Zara have kaftans.

I read that as kittens.

Wondered if you thought \link{http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/~jpoole/Basket_kitties2.jpg\this sort of thing} would detract from my unsummery figure

I feel the same, hunker, summer just sucks :(

How about linen? Linen trousers v flattering to absolutely everyone I think. Pretty flipflops and painted toenails, distraction?

Lots of different shaped dresses around, surely one would suit? If curvy, nice wrap dresses? Or there are great shirt dresses - hippie style dresses hide a lot of things too.

Yes, carrying a basket of kittens definitely a good move. Hey we could give Trinny and Suze a run for their money, you know.

am i the only person in the world who doesn't do flip flops? I've never got over the pain barrier for the toe post thing. liking my birkies though, want some silver ones.....

I cannot do sleeveless due to enormous norks (forgot to mention those) and scaffolding-type nursing bras. Am 34G and just veer between matron and lusty serving wench, it seems

Don't particularly like short sleeves and blouses (loathe that word) gape over aforementioned norks.

Gah. Summer

\link{http://www.rintinaby.co.uk/images/Tufty%20dance.jpg\You don't look like this then?}

littlebitshy-I hate flipflops!Not just the bit between the toes but the flapping on your foot as you walk and trying to hold em on while you walk

I hate summer too. Our office get ridiculously hot and every morning is a depressing exercise in trying to find something suitable to wear. I hate it and feel crap about myself for about 3 months a year.

I just hate being hot and uncomfortable (the cat you linked to is much more stylish than a summer me (I like to kid myself I can "do" winter...!)).

I always feel fatter when I'm hot too. Less clothing in which to hide any bulgy bits, I suppose. And clothing sizes seem designed to confuse me - how is it that I can fit into a size 10 pair of slightly stretchy jeans, but a size 14 pair of linen trousers just laugh at me from somewhere below my knees?

OK - linen trews a must. What about vest tops with open, sheer/chiffony shirt? I know what you mean re: norkage (actually I don't but I can imagine) but is this acceptable alternative? There are lots of tunic-y tops around this summer - bit of an arse of norkfeeding, maybe...

for norkfeeding, I mean.

Hot does often = fat, yy.

I went out in ill-advised 'clingy' vest top today and very much regretted it by the end of the day (and half an hour on the tube...)

Yes I do too :(

Are you near a Hawkshead? Good for linen-y things I find. I'll have a look...

Yes, I do wear vest tops (with thick straps) with open shirts - but I'm getting too hot like that - I'd really like something one-layer, probably with a pattern to keep DS2's attention when feeding(!) - in a cool fabric, with more than an elbow-length sleeve (don't like t-shirts much - like the option of pushing sleeve up).

Fussy mare, aren't I?!

I hate it that so many dresses are sleeveless.

The world can live without the sight of my upper arms.

ok I am very much loving the little crochet cardi vibe, over a vest top
disguises upper arm situation
painted toenails are good.
strappy vest tops with linen/crumpledy type shirt over buttoned under norks
I don't do flip flops either, the toe post thing makes me heave.
linen trousers
funky little cardies all round good thing

i like the tight at bust and then flowing out type things about atm. have also found some of the longer length tops to be flattering. i brought a pair of combat type trousers which are soooo comfy, which you can fold up to 3/4 length trousers, feels quite nice with stappy/peep toe shoes!! Do now what you mean about

Links to funky little (non-warm) cardis please?

ahem, not having anything. I need to go shopping again soon.

I've been wearing jeans, but they're too hot. Linen looks like old dishrag on me in seconds - and I cannot buy something that needs that much ironing

Harpsi, you have gone all capital again [frown]

Flossam, anything I wear is tight at the bust. I bought a size 16 top the other day and the proportions are all wrong And then Jane on EastEnders was wearing it

Someone once told me you have to spray starch on linen to stop it going all crumply.

Have never tried it though.

\link{http://www.marksandspencer.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Product_Id=1896198&portal=locayta\something like this?}

Linen is SUPPOSED to look crumply hunker
it's sophisticated
like what we are