What are you planning to wear this summer?

[Pickering]

Hi all. I'm looking for some inspiration for summer clothes as I'm planning a bit of a wardrobe update. Need non-work stuff that's practical with small children but makes me feel good. Particularly day dresses. Thanks!

I find cardis hard, too, as I am an inverse triangle shape - borad shoulders and big boobs, small waist and narrow hips and skinny legs.

I've got one v neck slouchy cardi from Next that seems to work, but every other cardi I have ever tried on makes me look frumpy too

Ive a few Zoe Karrson t shirts i picked up at the end of the summer in tkmaxx last year that i want to start wearing. With white and blue skinnies. I have some Cos bretons to go with boyfriend jeans and my saltwater sandals. I bought some lovely leather sandals in American Outfitters recently too that im looking forward to wearing. I dont do summer dresses as a pp said, at my height they are too short and the proportions are wrong. Boden had a fab maxi skirt out last year I was too late to nab. I really hope they bring it out again this year. Just plain black teamed with a lose fitting vest top and maybe a long chain, could be nice?

I live in tea dresses in the summer, either original vintage, some drummed up my myself, or chain store versions. I team with suitable flats (or wellies) and heels in the evenings. I have a good cardi selection too for cooler days.

I have big boobs and a small waist too balls and I find that skinny cardies work best - ie figure hugging and fitted to your shape.

Also cropped - so they sit on your waist rather than your hips.

Do you know a good source of cropped cardigans twinklestein? I'm under 5 foot with large boobs so really need fitted, cropped cardigans - anything else makes me look like a frumpy weeble. I got one from Woolovers last summer but it has a round neck which doesn't quite work.

I have a large chest with defined shoulders and a small waist too, the fitted v neck cardigans don't work for me either, the ones I've tried are fitted and fall at the top of my hips just below my waist... It's the way they make my boobs look matronly and hence the frump thing....and it doesn't seem to matter which bra I wear.

For hot days, rolled up skinnies or skinny hino things from gap. I have accumulated many over the years. I cannot wear shorts as my knees are not good. However i can wear an on the knee skirt if I fake tan my legs! Saltwater sandals or birkenstocks. I have a few maxi skirts too which I just wear with a vest top and cardi if it gets cold.
I may get a boden breton tunic as I love their breton tshirts...have jut bought another few of those. Supergas for spring.

I tend to live in vest maxi dresses. They get a bad press on here but they do seem to suit me. Racer-back, plain colours. I just bought a black one from the Outnet clearance.

Rolled up chinos.

Birkenstocks - I bought a silver pair last year and should get another summer out of them.

I love the Uniqlo silk vest that clarad posted.

Hippyish blouses and lace tshirts.

Oh, and I'd like to 'wear' a lot less weight too. A stone would be good. I lost one this time last year and have kept most of it off.

I bought a little, very cheap, cropped cotton black cardigan from H&M last year, and wore it an awful lot. I'm hoping they will have more in this year. I bought it a size smaller than usual too, so it was v fitted.

I mostly wear dresses, long and short, rolled sleeve t-shirts with jeans, denim shorts or gym style ones. Havaianas or slighty smart sandals.

Shorts mainly - I love the Gap khaki ones, have them in lots of different colours. T shirts, vests and jumpers if it's cooler.

Also have a few short sleeveless sundresses, really simple in black and navy.

For work, probably slim fit trousers as usual with plain tops and a blazer. Pointy flats. Looking for some snakeskin print ones in cream or grey. Need to lose some weight for sure.

Bill - YOU'RE WELCOME!!!

Culottes are in apparently. Read it in a magazine in the hairdressers

Thank you!
They look pretty perfect.

Bill - ALDO are also doing some snakeskin pointed flats.

I'm going to be postnatal so I don't know

I have 3 maxi dresses which I haven't actually worn despite getting them last spring - in navy, cornflower blue and taupe all thick jersey - they seem like a good choice for a postnatal me, maybe I'll get a denim shirt to wear over the top, and add a long silver necklace and sparkly flipflops. I have two midi length skirts in cream marl and grey marl (both Hush) which I plan to tuck Zoe Karssen tees into too once I rediscover my waist

Realistically it probably will be Hush joggers and various stained oversized tees and cardigans

Ooh, I've been away for one day and now have so many replies!

Great ideas here to get me going. Definitely want a pair of saltwater sandals.

Any recommendations for high waisted chinos to hold baby belly in?

I love an a line skirt teamed with a vest top and a little top over that from White Stuff (in the sales). I taught myself how to make one after watching the SewingBee the first year and have found a great fabric shop in Brighton that does the same fabric that's about £15 a metre in John Lewis for £3.99 a metre. Right now I'm loving the new season sandals in Clarks and longing for the weather to get better to get out of jeans, jumper and boots combos. Bored with that now. Roll on summer.

I'm a massive fan of m and s sculpt and lift jeans, I haven't had much luck finding them online but I didn't try too hard!
They sit properly on your waist meaning you can tuck the baby belly in instead of exercising to get rid of it but fit really well as skinny jeans too... Several colours as well.. I'm only 23, promise!

How do you find a style instead of running into town on the first hot day and buy whatever fits?!

I want a minimal palette of white, navy, grey, silver and taupe.
I have this vision of white cropped or ankle length skinnies with a perfect slightly drapey silver grey vest, white or silver grey supergas or converse or sparkly sandals.
Teamed with minimal silver jewellery and flawless make up and pale golden tan....
Sort of White Company catalogue image

Hmm
Finding this one difficult to plan but love the ideas on here. Will be 20-30 weeks pregnant over the summer so any inspiration welcome. Will also have to cope with 2 weeks in Italian heat in the midst of it.
Thinking of some gap maternity shorts in denim and khaki. Tube skirts in light jersey (topshop and h and m and hush hopefully) some long hush tank/ vest tops and tee s they re huge so should accommodate a bump)

Am hoping to accessorise with this tote for some colour

Have sweedish hasbeens, superga and various sandals and flats

Great question Beans:

"How do you find a style instead of running into town on the first hot day and buy whatever fits?!"

I can relate to that!

Georgina - I share your vision .

I've deliberately stock piled tee shirts and vests in white, light grey, navy, electric blue and various shades of grey in preparation.

Just have to find some white jeans that don't show my knickers, some decent silver jewellery, a white bra...oh and somehow transform my mottled blue-white skin into light gold and get a pedicure...and I'll be sorted