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

Teeny how about a cropped one that ties at the waist? Fab with high-waisted skirts / shorts.

hate those sunhats
fucking horrible

Thanks QR, the ties would be good as distraction too. Or should I say disguise. Tum not what it was...

Nooooo to those sunhats. If you really, really need a hat, a straw fedora-type thing is probably the best choice.

No to black leggings with summer dresses, and no to coloured leggings on anybody over the age of 9.

Imvho only, of course.

I have a navy straw fedora. It's ace.

This thread made my (otherwise very rubbish) Tuesday! I struggle with summer as all the cheap tops look so cr@ppy. I read this post on summer boho and thought it was really good. She raises the point that you dont need to buy much to "do" summer.

Em x0x

I've only just figured out the nude underwear/white clothing thing. Shame on me.

Oh dear - clearly hats are divisive! I hate straw fedoras/ trilbys.

Mind you I neeeeed to wear a hat in the sun - cloth-hats stuff easily into a handbag and come out smiling, wash well, and go with my outfits.

But each to their own, I guess.

Navy and white or cream is a pretty fail safe combination for basics - and you can add another colour to ring the changes. Stripes are ok, but IMO florals rarely look expensive even when they are. A decent bag and smart sandals (make sure toes are perfectly pedicured if they will be on display) are also essential. A tatty old 'summer' bag and the wrong footwear can so easily let down an otherwise smart outfit. I think minimum make up is best with summer clothes, but still wear some to look groomed.

I'm 5ft2, size 14 and have a pouch that only a marsupial could love. Trousers and jeans (esp low waisted and buttoned) look dreadful on me on many levels. Spillage/hobit etc.
In an attempt to wean off leggings (which do suit as my legs are skinnyish) I have just bought some cut off dark blue skinny jeans from M&S (elasticated waist) and cant recommend them enough. Don't normally shop there but had been on a holy grail for some modern, flattering 3/4 style (not sure what 7/8 or rolled up skinnies are?)

Also, I would live in my tights and have been guilty of wearing them in the summer. I'm also guilty of the heinous crime of streaky fake tan. Can't get it right and my pins are pastier than a bottle of full fat milk.

So glad it's raining today!

Middle - 7/8 trousers are the "newer" version of capris, and end on or just above the ankle.
Traditional capris/pedal pushers went 3/4 of the way down the leg, but aren't as flattering as they cut the leg off mid-calf, making it the legs appear shorter and wider. 7/8 length, meanwhile, shows the ankle and is IME more flattering.

As for rolled up skinnies, these are just skinny jeans turned over a couple of times at the bottom to make them 7/8 length. A more summery look than full length jeans.

A pp said they couldn't understand how you can roll up skinnies as they're so tight. Well, that's because you're not looking to roll them any higher than an inch or two.

I wear khaki linen shirt dresses

Navy and white oversize stripe long sleeve tees with sleeves casually rolled up

Navy, white, khaki, mocha bikini, no bright colours.

Rolled up skinnier and rolled up white boyfriend jeans.

Tan, black, silver or gold flip flops, khaki wedges

Nice feet only with coral, (looks great w khaki) ballet pink, bright orange red, rouge noir or revlon cherries on the snow. No other colours, ever.

Hair always cut and no roots, important at to me.

Nice sunglasses - i alternate between three pairs.

One tan bag, one straw beach bag

Corally, bronzy make up, not too much. I love a milky coral lipgloss, so flattering.

Middle own the milky legs, especially if they're thin - pale skin is stunning when nicely-maintained, don't fall prey to the streaks! Fake tan makes you smell like a public toilet, too.

My tips for owning pale legs:

Wax or epilate rather than shaving. However fair your hair is, you will still be able to see the hair under the skin, which gives that plucked-chicken look.

A tiny dusting of face powder or mineral makeup on the knees never went amiss if your knees tend to go red like mine.

Same principle: Even if it's not that sunny and you're only SPFing your face, put a bit on your knees. They have an amazing ability to catch the sun, somehow.

BeneFit do this great moisturiser / body shimmer thing called Bathina - pricey but a swipe over the legs gives it this lovely light-reflecting shimmer. Much better than a tan.

Less pricey ones available from all sorts of people too, but I haven't tried 'em! Got my eye on this one from Soap & Glory. Someone recommended one last summer which I hunted high and low for but couldn't find, I'll try and dig out the name...

Exfoliate and slather on a rich body cream every day, and don't neglect your knees.

Job's a good'un.

Thanks, Running. Read your post, leaned over and I now have 7/8 jeans!

Middle, can you link to the M&S trousers please? I need some comfy ones and I despair of finding stuff in M&S for myself!

Agree completely with reaper. I use bathina and it does last forever. And it has a sweet pea smell which I think it lovely. It's very easy to apply.
Body shop use to do a leg balm stick which was glossy and lightly tinted which I loved but they discontinued it. I used to do my shin bones with it.
I embrace the pale . I do shave and it's fine but I shave all year round and my hairs don't get the chance to peek through much. I also exfoliate knees and feet regularly.

candy agree, knees and feet are key - have you tried the Soap and Glory heel balm? It's the only one I can seem to remember to use religiously because IT SMELLS SO DIVINE. I can still smell it the next day. I always seem to lose enthusiasm for Flexitol etc. after a couple of weeks.

I'm finding this thread really good reading, thanks.

What about workwear though? I like to look smart but not suited, and I really struggle with summer work dressing. Like what do I put on my feet?! I really don't think sandals of any sort would look ok at the office. What does everyone else wear to work when its warm?

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

Eh? Why would you avoid colours that show off a tan?

Derelict, because in my opinion it looks too try-hard and cheap.

You are allowed to show off your tan . It's just the tan has to the tasteful and the look effortless .

Middle - 7/8 trousers are the "newer" version of capris, and end on or just above the ankle.
Traditional capris/pedal pushers went 3/4 of the way down the leg, but aren't as flattering as they cut the leg off mid-calf, making it the legs appear shorter and wider. 7/8 length, meanwhile, shows the ankle and is IME more flattering.

Thanks for that.
I have a pair of 7/8 that I bought from Dorothy Perkins about 3 years ago.
I was about to throw them out as they seemed to be neither here nor there(length wise)

As for rolled up skinnies, these are just skinny jeans turned over a couple of times at the bottom to make them 7/8 length. A more summery look than full length jeans.

A pp said they couldn't understand how you can roll up skinnies as they're so tight. Well, that's because you're not looking to roll them any higher than an inch or two.

thanks Runningup, mystery solved!

Now there's the dilemma of what shoes look best with rolled up skinnies.

(another who's pleased it's raining today)

Navy and white oversize stripe long sleeve tees with sleeves casually rolled up

I'm on the lookout for this type of top. Where do you get yours from?

Now there's the dilemma of what shoes look best with rolled up skinnies

For everyday, at the moment I'm wearing my v pale blue skinnies with either tan leather sandals or Birkenstocks.
For "going out" (well, as going out as it gets with a newborn) I'm wearing my darker skinnies with black pointy flats.

I wear midi cotton dresses to work when it's warm. Usually with denim jacket and flat strappy sandals.

Fitted skirt with looser top tucked in also works. Some of my colleagues wear jumpsuits. I don't work in a very formal office though.