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?

pink I so agree about Per Una. All bloody ruffles! Yes, love that French look-sort of effortlessly chic-not sure I could pull it off though. We don't seem to go in for that look in Blighty much, do we?

Saw some linen (thickish) trousers in Marksies so will get a pair. Otherwise, I like the thought of chunky sandals and perhaps some semi-fitted shirts with plenty of bling. Roll on Autumn..meanwhile, thanks for the suggestions.

I literally fell upon this thread.

I am 58 and size 14 but pear-shaped.

I wear a uniform for work - this conceals a multitude of bulges.

I also have sore feet (nearly 40 years of nursing) so choice of shoes is limited. (I have lots of shoes that live in boxes, but only a couple of pairs that I wear).

In winter I wear trousers, tops and long cardies, dresses with boots and long cardies...

In summer I panic and feel fat and frumpy.

I have a couple of dresses that I feel comfortable in, but otherwise a wardrobe full of nothing to wear.

I am watching with interest and hope...

I obviously killed the thread .
I know I am a lost cause. Sigh.

I am 50 today so can I officially join the oldies thread? My summer favourites are: cotton dresses with sleeves - not easy to get nowadays but have a few old ones. Buy in sales and charity shops whenever I can!
Linen trousers, with a zip, not drawstring type and not white.
Dark wide legged trousers - cover up my varicose veins. Worn with short fitted tops.
Coloured skinny jeans with long tops.
A couple of maxi dresses - again like to cover my legs.
Opaque tights are my friend- I wear them whenever it's cool enough with shorter skirts (just above knee). If it's hot I go for long skirts/maxi dresses or long loose trousers.
I have a fitted denim jacket which goes with pretty much everything.
Oh and I avoid sleeveless things as much as possible. They never get as much wear as things with sleeves, so I only need one or two.

The one thing I can't wear is linen trousers. On the whole they are floppy, crease and make even pert bottoms look droopy. This is all a bit sad because when you try them on and they are brand new and crisk they are very tempting indeed. As i am flat chested and wide shouldered I avoid things with short sleeves as they make me look very wide, halter necks are nice. My work staple is a T shirt material dress without sleeves that I can be cool in when I'm in my office. I team this with a thin but smart jacket/blazer to put on for visits out or meetings. On the whole dresses are best.

Well, at least it's not just me. I agree about linen trousers but there's not much alternative, is there? Perhaps just about ok with a non-creasy top. Definitely not ok with more linen on top.

Yes to halter necks-but where the f..g are they all? Managed to find one I liked in Blue Banana, but that's just about it. I hate the wide t shirts with short sleeves too. Perhaps a fitted tee with three quarter sleeves would be better.