Oldies: how do you you do cool and elegant in summer?

[springchickennolonger]

I dread summer, and having to bring out bits of my body I'd rather not, like fat feet, cankles and hairy white calves. Not to mention bingo wings and muffin top.

There's nothing I remotely like in the shops and I absolutely detest cropped/capri trousers. Am I going to be in my usual linen and longline vest or can someone out there suggest something a bit more adventurous, but still reasonably elegant?

I'm 54 and size 12. Could do with a bit of toning.

Any suggestions?

Do you like to wear a dress? Do you like colour and pattern? What is your budget? What is your bust size? Lots of questions sorry!

I don't wear dresses or skirts as my legs are too fat/ shapeless. I like colour but not pattern. I hate the ubiquitous middle aged woman look of cropped shapeless trousers, bra on show under flesh-revealing vest, plus of course bingo wings flapping in the breeze.

I don't have to dress for work, thankfully, but I receive clients at home so need to look pulled-together.

And I can't/ won't wear flats.

Am I wanting the moon on a stick?

You sound like you were made for a maxi dress, e.g. in navy, with a short sleeved light cardigan over it.

I have a uniform for work so no choice to make.
For summer, M&S linen blend trousers ( broadish waistband that's elasticated )
Long Tshirts ( not a vest fan IRL but I wear under my work tunic)

Long linen shorts?
Open weave bolero ?

And if I do wear a vest top, it's a secret support type (just got one from Uniqlo, so waiting to test it out)

If you are a size 12 I bet your legs are not "fat". I know what you mean about the ubiquitous look of the middle aged woman. My MIL dresses like that sometimes. She is 5ft 5 tall and size 14 and also normally avoids dresses because she doesn't like her legs. We went shopping the other day for new holiday clothes for her and she ended up buying a few midi dresses from East and Monsoon. She looked great. The leg thing is really in her head. She also bought some long line kurta tops from East which are lovely and light and look good over trousers.

She also bought some vests and a couple of kimono tops from River Island that she can wear with straight leg jeans and also looser linen trousers.

Why can't you wear flats? Do you just not like them?

Decent quality navy blue linen trousers, blue and white striped vest top, white linen shirt?

Cigarette pants, sleeveless blouse or sleeved t shirt (decent quality will look better rather than a £3 primark job) chunky heel sandals?

Midi length jersey tube skirt or dress with wedge espadrilles?

What's wrong with flats? I've just bought some converse-alike leopard print trainers from H&M, look great with jeans (or navy linen trousers)

I accept you can't do much about fat feet and cankles but if your hairy calves bother you, get a razor on them.

Oh and tricep dips for the bingo wings - do them on the edge of the bath every day, you'll see a difference quickly.

Oh and I agree with Irishblood about East. Ignore the over the top ethnic styles and pull out their trousers and plainer jackets.

They've got a lovely pair of dark brown stretch straight leg jeans in at the moment and an unlined linen jacket in soft blue and beige/brown stripes, those would look fab with a vest in blue or brown or cream.

Thanks all. I like the sound of East: haven't been there in a while. I won't wear flats cos I'm too dumpy.

helllon those triceps dips sound interesting. In the bath

Ha ha not in the bath, on the edge of it. Perch bottom on long edge of bath, hands on edge either side of hips, legs stretched out in front of you.

Lift hips forward a little, lower them down below top edge of bath, use arms to lift up. Keep elbows in close to the body. Do three sets of eight or two of eight, whatever you can manage. This is very vague description, google for a video to make sure you know what you're doing.

Thanks, Hellon.

And good luck! I write as a 47 year old possessed of wobbly upper arms myself . I'm working on mine with dynamic yoga but that's not everyone's cup of tea.

BTW please banish talk of dumpy, cankles, fat, shapeless etc. That's hate speech about your fabulous amazing body that carries you around all day.

hellon thanks again. I shall try not to be so negative in future, promise.

is 54 old?

No.

I'm nearly 56 and I'm not old

that's what I thought! Was talking to my neighbour yesterday, immaculate in the heat in elegant tailored trousers, smart top, tidy hair and she must be in her 70s.

I was VERY scruffy but then I had been gardening!

In the heat

Where is it hot?

Here in South Yorkshire it rained yesterday and then was warmish, Today it is cool and damp.

I dress pretty much the same all year round - I just vary the number of layers. And the shoes. Where is this summer of which you speak?

I'm 57 and a size 14, I wear the same as everyone else in the summer, and I shave my legs. If you have not been cursed with varicose veins there is no reason not to put some of your leg on display. I would suggest a long very pleated skirt, crop dwenim jacket and bolack t shirt.

If you're a size 12 you couldn't possibly be a shapeless and however else you described your legs (can't scroll back I'm on my phone!) Don't be do down on yourself and 54 is NOT old!

Thanks dame. I'm generally ok with my bod, at least in clothes, but this time of year always makes me a bit anxious about my wobbly bits!

I'm 54! Definitely agree that toning exercises are worth it.

Get your legs and underarms waxed and have a good pedicure.

My ultimate style crush is a woman in her late 50s. She is French (though so are the rest of my colleagues, and they don't look like her). She is not beautiful but she is slim-ish and she never looks wrong.

She does slim cigarette trousers, loafers, tan leather sandals, crisp cotton shirts and a nice trench coat in Spring and Autumn. The other day she had a cotton drill pea coat that was gorgeous (have been googling since).When it rains she has slim fitting Aigle wellies. She has a fabulous Canada Goose jacket in Winter and some great boots.

The thing is, when I compliment her, which I do a lot, she is always surprised and says she has had these things for years. And that she buys everything in the sale after careful perusal. She just looks as if she is having so much fun still with fashion. None of us need to go down the Per Una route if we don't want to.