How to avoid looking cheap in the summer.

[3dogsandacat]

What would be your main tips on how to look good during the summer?
Any particular colors, fabrics, styles (or brands) to avoid?
The How to Look Expensive threads were really interesting, but I find it's easier to look more together in the winter, but more of a problem in the summer.
I always end up looking like a bag of shit
Sometimes I 'get it right' but when I do, it's purely accidental

Try and avoid:

• Super shiny face, with your makeup all ruined from sweat.
• Grotty feet when wearing sandals.
• Massive sweat patches.
• Flashing your bits (or half your arse) when wearing tiny shorts or short skirts.

It's hard to avoid sweat patches on a crowded rush hour tube in the middle of July.

Sort your feet out.
Natural fibres.
No drawstring linen trousers.
No three-quarter length black trousers with a bright top.
Birkenstocks are good.

I'm on a budget and bought a lovely sun dress from TK Maxx £20 just below knee length and teamed it up with a short linen jacket today, cream wedges and I'm pleased with the look.

Also bought striped long line blouse from Matalan £15 with cigarette cream trousers.

Mid coloured skinny jeans with crisp white top again from Matalan £15 with a pale blue short cashmere type cape (from an independent shop £40).

Patterned dress for a night out from Very (£30)

Denim shorts and cotton tops, monsoon flip flops, cheap bangles and stud earrings to match the colours. I paint my toe nails strong pink and am hoping I've got a good summer wardrobe cheap but doesn't look it.

I decided a few years ago to make it a rule to never ever wear linen. It looks great on the mannequin but on me, no matter how much I pay for it, I look like I slept in my clothes.

Flesh coloured underwear if you wear white. A white linen dress with clearly visible pants and bra is not a good look. And white pants still show.

see through clothes esp in a pale colour where you can see lumps and bumps. wear a thin strap vest or be at the beach.

too tight lycra vest tops or dresses showing lumps and bumps.

Burnishedsillver, just looked at my linen jacket I bought in a charity shop and realised I shouldn't sit around the house in it, very crumpled now. It looked nice earlier :)

I stick to rolled up jeans, leather sandals/deck shoes and a loose top. Decent sunglasses and bag. I do have some denim shorts, a good maxi skirt and a couple of Sun dresses, but day to day tend to wear very similar things. I may not look exciting, but I don't think I look cheap.

that red underwear thig is a myth

If you're large of chest, you cannot do without a bra. I still remember the sight of a larger-bosomed woman in a low cut maxi dress. Her tit was actually falling out of the side. Find a bra option which doesn't show or wear a different dress.

Parking my backside over here because I've wondered this for years. No problem looking polished and well dressed in Winter but Summer dressing alludes me.

Although having read the thread I don't make any of those mistakes so maybe it's not that bad.

Wish stores would cotton on to using natural fibres though.

I read somewhere that vair stylish French women don't wear shorts, they always wear short skirts instead. I've found that skirts are far more flattering (particuarly if you're not a size 10) and make you look much better-dressed.

Layering (if it's not incredibly hot) always looks more polished; I've got several of those very thin, linen-y type T-shirts in 2 sizes too big, and then wear a thin cotton long-sleeved top underneath. So it's more like Winter dressing but lighter.

I agree on taking care of your feet and skinny jeans/capris with loose sheer shirt and vest. I love a maxi, but hate my arms so have a long sleeved one for mediocre summer weather.

What do you wear when it's really hot and you don't want to show skin? I'm fine with ankles, feet, forearms and chest showing, but the rest is a mess.

Flip flops are for the beach only.

They change the way a person walks. People waddle in flip flops.

Lucky, I bought a maxi black skirt and even though I'm small can wear it with flip flops and a lose top that hides my tummy.

Nude underwear under white, No bra straps showing. If I wear (short) shorts, I wear a loose fitting cotton t-shirt that covers my shoulders. I tend to wear block colours rather than patterns as they suit me more. I check all dresses I buy by holding them up against the light to make sure they aren't see through.

My Mum looks lovely in summer and normally wears linen trousers (often 3/4 length) with a patterned top and coloured necklace.

Thanks arrow, I'll try one on!

I don't agree on flip flops, I wear these daily.... I wear sandals for a better look mind you :)

On the subject of capris, what's the best style? Those that finish just below the knee, or lower? Wide or narrow?

How to avoid the 'old lady wearing capris from M & S' look?

Also whats the best colour?
Some of those peachy colours can make a person look like they're not wearing anything on their bottom halves, from a distance

My flip flops have a small wedge as I'm small and sandals are always heeled. I think flip flops can look great if you aren't walking too far especially with some bangles on arms :)

Flip flops are bad for my feet so don't wear them much.

I like cotton blouses for work with loose trousers. I have a classic neutral linen skirt from Laura Ashley that looks smart worn with a slip. I like wearing sandals.

Oh, and sort your heels out. If you're dressed beautifully with nice sandals but your heels look like cheese rind with cracks, it's not good.

I think flip flops are fine but I wouldn't wear them to work.

Wood hill- I'm such a flip flop lover, why are they bad for your feet?? I'm going to cry if it's proven.

They are not supportive. However, may be fine on other people's feet. I've got slim feet.