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 find summer dressing somuch easier than winter dressing!

I guess I lack imagination, I only wear 3 styles

Skinny (roll up) jeans and loose fitting/over sized top

Skirt with fitted tee

Dress (fit and flate or a bit drapey) with or without cardi

Shoes: I sprinkle a bit of talcum powder in my shoes to avoid foot rub or sweatiness.

Is this unimaginative?!

ephemeralfairy - great post. I will be following all that advice - thank you
Feeling a little bit proud as already wearing metallic nail polish on my toes

Vest tops look awful generally. Wear something you can still wear a proper bra with. A strappy dress in nice fabric can be lovely.
Lined cotton. Creased thin cotton is a pita.
Navy usually looks smart.
Summer dresses are lovely.
I think we panic on sunny days but I've now got a few dark blue denim skirts that can be worn all year round so I have options in the summer too.

Place marking, I need lots of tips.

My rule is natural fabrics only and nothing clingy. Silk, linen, cotton and bamboo, including undies. Good looking comfy sandals or mules. You can't look glam when you're feeling hot and sticky.

DvF wrap dress. Big shades. Wedges.

following! :)

Place marking for inspiration too. I'm fine at putting things together, in that I leave the house fully dressed-but I never look 'put together' or polished...it's an art form imo

i agree sleeveless tops are nOT for work
or anyone over a size 16

I KNOW SO KILL ME

Agree no vest tops, but I do wear sleeveless shirts / blouses to work with skinny trousers / cigarette pants and flats and I think it's fine. A bit like this...
m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Sleeveless-Blouse/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=6139738&cid=4169&Rf989=6242&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=50&sort=-1&clr=Ivory&totalstyles=323&gridsize=3&un_jtt_v_frompage=0

Don't need to worry today

My tip is to go easy on the foundation.

I usually wear liquid foundation and a sprinkling of mineral foundation to "set" it, but the other day I went shopping and only wore tinted SPF and the mineral foundation. It was BOILING in the shop and I didn't get a chance to go to the loo for ages, and thought I'd look a total mess when I did, but to my surprise I looked fine, just needed a little top-up on the nose. If I'd been wearing liquid foundation it would have smudged to buggery.

This may be pretty obviou but I have to rediscover it every year

Natural fabrics - Silk, cotton etc. Shirt dresses, pedal pusher jeans, maxi dresses, anything 40s/50s style - Feminine and floaty for summer (tea/prom type dresses) though obviously this is down to your style and taste. Cheapo TK Maxx designer sunglasses, decent bag and hat. Pashminas if you are a pashmina type (I love them). Denim jacket, blanket coat thingy. Boat shoes. No scabby or excessively flabby body parts on display. Definitely no fake tan streaks or orangeness. I put together an amazing summer wardrobe super cheap by shopping in charity shops and on Ebay. This also lets you work out what best suits you on the cheap before you commit to any pricier buys (though obviously money may be no object to you). Definitely no desiccated and neglected cloven lady-trotters (and while we're on the subject, no visible cracks, crevices or camel toes thanks).

Not RTFT, but

No white with a tan (or colours designed to 'bring out' a tan eg. neons, turquoise etc.).

MerryMarigold, so you are saying that if you have a tan you shouldn't wear white or bright colours?
I'd never thought of that one.
Which colours should you wear with a tan?

Is off-white good? or cream?

I hate that 'brilliant white'.

I have a possibly stupid question

Lots of posters have mentioned that they wear 'rolled up skinnies'.

Now, this is the stupid bit -
Are we talking skinnies that already have a 'rolled up look' when you buy them (similar to capris)
Or do you get a normal pair of skinnies, and well, roll them up?

If the latter, how is that possible?
My skinnies are so fitting around the bottom of the legs that I wouldn't be able to roll them past my ankles, never mind half way up my calves.

Wonder bra ultimate strapless bra in Nude , it is a godsend in summer and for holidays.
It means I can wear all my cami tops / vests and have a smooth silhouette and it is SO comfy.

I stick to one colour accessories, like gold hoops, with thin gold stacking bracelets and long gold pendant necklace for example .

I wear either gold leather sandals or nude , these go with everything and can be dressed up or down.

I think wearing the correct size of clothing is the single biggest thing to help look " done". Nothing worse than being squeezed into something and looking uncomfortable and hot just for the sake of the size label. Nobody else can see the label 😎

Avoid garish colours!!! I don't think they do anyone any favours!

Ensure your feet are decent - no hard or cracked skin. No nail art. Toes painted, again not a too-bright colour.

Good handbag, classy sandals. Not cheap flip flops.

I tend to avoid prints too.

I'm saying avoid colours which look like you're trying to 'show off' the tan. I think cream is fine.

With hats what am I supposed to wear? I could really do one but can never manage to fine one I don't feel ridiculous in. I'm about 20 years too old for a baseball cap and can't help feeling I'd get laughed off the school run in a big straw number,

Really enjoying this thread. Here's my tuppenceworth about dressing for work, especially if like me you don't suit beige or pastel colours for suits:

• navy is better than black in summer for suits;
• a dress can be just as nice if not better (I like monochrome);
• I agree no black leggings with a sunner dress (unless your dress is black),but I am partial to capri-length leggings in a shade that tones with the dress. Solves the tights problem but also means no chafing, hurrah! Or as others have said, just go trousers;
• I don't think sandals are office-appropriate (well not where I work);
• urgh no bare shoulders for work! (unless you are one of Beyonce's backing dancers I suppose)

Outside of work, I hate creasy woven linen on myself but love a linen knit.

Catsgowoof what about a cotton "bucket" sunhat?

like this one

3cats, I've been asking myself the same question for the last few pages! And my skinny jeans won't roll up, at least not without the help of a pair of scissors...

I need some suggestions for blouses which would look ok when there isn't much length between boobs and waist. I'm so sick of t shirts and want to look better dressed too.