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

I've got winter dressing down but summer style often alludes me. Here's what I stick to:

Navy/monochrome stripes
Denim
White linen shirt
Tan leather sandals
Straw trilby
Black/grey/navy maxi dress
White/black cotton sundress
Designer sunglasses

Other than stripes, I stay away from patterns, try to choose natural fibres and keep accessories and makeup to a minimum.

Bare feet in sandals/ballet flats/trainers? Rub a couple of drops of tea tree oil on soles of your feet/toes first. The oil is antibacterial so stops your feet and therefore shoes getting smelly. Doesn't work if the shoes are already pongy though

7/8

I think hats usually look quite smart and 'put together' (assuming they are not baseball caps!) Read somewhere that the wider the brim, the classier the effect.

My Mum says that adding a little bit of starch to linen when you iron it can make it look a great deal smarter. (Wouldn't know about that though as, much to DM's disapproval, I never iron. )

Any suggestions on what to wear while still breastfeeding a 12 week old? Want to look smart but need boob access frequently...

This is the first year I've really made an effort with my summer wardrobe. I'm going on holiday in a couple of weeks but I've lost 3st over the past 2 years and all of my summer stuff is too big (and looked terrible anyway!).

I've tried to buy things in certain colours which look good together. I'm on a budget but I've managed to do really well in Primark, New Look and Sainsburys. My only expensive purchase has been some navy leather sandals at £50, but they will last me.

I've spent ages looking for certain things. My original colour palette was navy and cream but I have bought a couple of bits in a really nice burnt orange colour which looks a lot nicer than it sounds. I'm a size 14 and very wobbly so I've only bought stuff with a sleeve which comes either to my elbow or slightly above. Dresses come just above my knee and skirts are maxi (I didn't want midi but couldn't find any I liked).

I've also just been fitted at Bravissimo for a new bra and it's made such a massive difference to my shape. My back fat has almost vanished!

I've bought - a cream and navy stripe wrap over maxi skirt, a burnt orange maxi skirt, 2x cream and navy stripe tees, a plain burnt orange (but slightly different tone to my skirt) tee, a navy blue marl tee, navy shirt dress, navy/white stripe dress with quite a full skirt, some burnt orange pointed flats. I also have some ankle grazer jeans which look good with everything too. I'm pretty pleased with myself and feel a whole lot less stressed about hot weather now!

Busy Bea, your colour scheme sounds great! Where did you buy your maxi skirt from? Thanks!

I'd like to know where the maxi skirts are hiding this year too please? River Island usually have some but not this year. I shrank the two I had.

I saw some denim jegging type trousers in Next that were nice ( mid calf I think with a zip at the ankle)

I need to wean myself off the leggings now, they're ok with a long jumper or tunic top but not for going outside the house IRL in summer.

I have a couple of dresses and now having looked at the "Wear Everything In My Wardrobe" thread, I'm going to wear those (they're a stretchy patterned cotton mix not formal)

I won't be wearing those cropped flares,

Bouquet they were both from primark! The stripy one is more of a floaty cotton and was £10 and the burnt orange one is a stretchy ribbed jersey type one and was reduced to £3. Both look really great on.

Avoid:
Thin white trousers that show your underwear, whatever colour it is (because they do!).
Multiple strappage, unless you are going to/from the beach/pool and have your swimsuit on underneath.
Slightly-above-ankle length flappy, wide leg trousers.
Sunburn.
Any footwear that makes your feet look like hands, or claws.

Thanks! I will have a look :-)

Wear what suits you, not whats fashionable. I am SO strict about this in the summer time.

but I have bought a couple of bits in a really nice burnt orange colour which looks a lot nicer than it sounds.

I like burnt orange, especially if the material is good. Where did you buy this colour if you don't mind me asking?

I've seen some clothes around with this colour, but they have all had hideous patterns on them.

I got a really lovely soft t-shirt in the sale from New Look, the maxi skirt from Primark and also some really nice flat pointed pumps with an ankle strap also from Primark. It's not a colour I've worn before but I love it!

I would avoid strapless tops or strapless maxi dresses. And t-shirts with writing or garish pictures on. Sleeves are better than sleeveless. Scraped back hair in the summer heat looks cheap imo (though I'm guilty of that at times). I like white, navy and cream colours. Anything with a hint of fluorescent is hard to pull off.
adagio there is a Facebook group called can I breastfeed in it which has loads of suggestions.

Thanks camelfinger 👍

This is my go-to smart summer work look: (fairly laid back office):

Knee length pencil type skirt/Cigarette trousers
Leather sandals/pointy flats
Shell top/sleeveless blouse rather than strappy vest
Sometimes a shirt dress

In general:
Nice feet, toes painted. Ideally red pink or metallic. Any other colour looks like a fungal infection.
No clingy fabric
Nothing too short (or too long, I am yet to find a maxi dress I like)
White only works if it is super crisp and clean
Nothing too 'boho'
No flip flops
A clean white canvas pump looks good with skirts trousers and jeans.
No cork or raffia wedges
No black accessories; too heavy for summer
Erm....
I will think some more!

I wear shorts a lot. So have started threading a scarf thru the loops instead of a belt.
Light weight scarves obviously, and carefully chosen. So far, so good.

Fun thread.

And I know it's been said a million times, but no leggings with a dress. Yesterday it was hot here and I saw countless lovely summer dresses, teamed with nice sandals - but completely ruined by black leggings sticking out of the bottom.

Yes, it's a practical way of dressing, but it very, very rarely looks good.

Either it's hot enough to wear the dress without leggings, or you ditch the dress altogether and go for cigarette trousers/chinos/harem pants/rolled up skinnies/Maxi dress /etc etc instead...

I popped into H&M yesterday and got some fab tops, a nice, classy looking long line tee in navy, a sleeveless faux shirt in cream and a linen tee. They've all got good drape, might be worth popping in.

So agree. Leggings are where fashion goes to die. (And put on weight)

Dresses? So easy!

I have lots - recently bought a couple from Seasalt. Very simple, can just pull them on but they look smart (not sleeveless so could wear for work). I add a 50s style cardigan.

Like this

Boohoo.com have some lovely maxi skirts.

Baggy navy/grey linen dresses with really bright shiny sandals/birkenstocks etc.
Pedicure.
Sunglasses.