How to Look Expensive (in the summer)

[diamondsandrose]

Please can we resurrect my favourite EVER thread, but with a summer twist?

I think I'm pretty stylish in cooler weather but struggle in the heat.

I know the usual drill ..natural fabrics, linen cotton silk in neutral colours. Light tan courtesy of gradual tanner. Tan real leather sandals. Straw or heavy cotton beach bag. No gaudy colours or prints. No bra strap showing under vests.

But I still feel I don't look as good as I could if I tried a bit harder! I get freckly and I think that stops me looking expensive!

Please tell me your tips and stories of fab expensive looking stylish people you've seen on holiday

Oh good I love that jumpsuit bejazzled

That Coast jumpsuit is fabulous (but out of stock)

Oh, thank you, all.
I like those capri pants. @boomboom12 but the pockets I could do without.
Flat fronted are definitely what I need.
I'm upside down.
Small hooters, round belly.
I am a lollipop/toffee apple.
I irrationally liked the Jumpsuit when I saw it was out of stock.
In truth, it's still too formal and would go in the loft.
I want something I would wear again.
I'm so awkward.
I know this.
I'm sorry.

I'm jealous of the fact you have the black as well planet. I'm glad i chose the tan, but i want the black as well ...

If i were to marry a third time (i wont, fingers crossed, i love DH very much) i'd go for a trouser suit. A pale one, a shape and cut which fitted me beautifully. I have good legs and a good bum as well, but there's something sooo stylish about really nifty suit which catches your figure in the right places. Can be very sexy and chic.

My first wedding outfit was a white plainish column twenties style dress.
My last one was a fabulous ivory bejeweld full length mermaid style laced up right down my back dress. Gorgeous and great fun, but it was very heavy and i couldn't actually sit down in it

The jumpsuit is one of the nicest I've seen. Sometimes Coast things are still in stores when sold out online - they brought a dress from Ireland for me once, really good service.

Planet can I borrow your nice legs if you don't want them?
You can have my flat tummy! It doesn't excite me

To me hiding fab legs is a crime! What about one of those Cos pillowcase dress things

You may be what my friend describes herself as, an egg on legs

I'm picturing ....Flowy white/ivory trousers from Zara and a silver silk shell top? Expensive leather flat sandals and a chunky silver cuff.

I have had an embarassing moment today when 3 couriers all turned up at the same time with my new purchases. (M&S supima cotton tshirts, Gap navy bi stretch trousers to replace the falling apart ones-best ever stretchy skinny ankle skimmy trousers, and an ebay bargain of a Jigsaw black heavy jersey maxi dress £6!!) The dress is very classy, sleeveless but covered up top. Even the fact that the seller hadn't washed it and it was sweaty smelling hasn't put me off it's so lovely. I really rate Jigsaw for long simple styles. I might need a girdle or something though as it's a 12 and as another Egg on legs I'm not! (10 legs and 16 top, go figure!)

I’m an apples, big boobs & belly but good limbs so Cos works for me

Placemarking and also envisaging a new notebook to take details in. I have that pale white skin which used to be smooth and creamy but now sporting thread veins. Nice!!

ThenCame did the delivery drivers say, oh god you're not on that Expensive in the Summer thing are you?!

I like little blazers in navy or cream as a summer cover up instead of cardis or denim type jackets.

I’m after a blazer... have you seen any? I nearly bought the Oasis one yesterday but couldn’t make my mind up. It did feel nice on.

Years ago (when I worked at Gap as a student) they had the most fabulous sheeny cotton fitted blazers with an amazing long slim sleeve.

I ended up getting about four or five in all the different colours mentioned above (white, dark beige, black, navy and I think I also had a blue and white fine stripe one!). I wore those things to DEATH, especially the beige one! They were perfect for everyday wearing for almost any outfit!

The only one surviving in my wardrobe is the white one because I wore it to a wedding and it went in a suit bag after with the rest of the outfit. Sadly my upper arms are too fat for the slim sleeve now.

I still covet those jackets but never found anything quite as nice since!

I too hanker after some nice soft blazers. I used to wear cardies in my 20s but now I'm much older and rounder they make me look saggy whereas the structure of a blazer pulls me together a bit. Joules had some okay ones a couple of years ago but I'd love a casual white blazer if anyone sees one let me know!

I’ve had success in both ASOS and Zara for blazers, although I try and return more than I keep.

Maybe I’ll try Zara for a blazer then. That’s a definite trip out. I’m tall and although I’m not fat, everything in Zara seems to be dinky. I hit gold occasionally.

I’m wondering whether a blazer is actually the type if thing I should be spending more on.... I think it would get loads of wear.

There's an m&s advert on FB advertising a lovely white blazer, but looking through the comments it's not actually in store yet.

week that’s how I find Zara, thank goodn3ss for free delivery and returns as I don’t live near a shop.

Massimo Dutti might be worth a look if you want to spend more.

Goodness! Since the last software update my iPad keeps randomly inserting numbers into words.

I saw these jersey blazers in Uniqlo last week - they have them in black and navy https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-uv-cut-jersey-jacket-404210.html?dwvar4042100size=SMA002&dwvar4042100color=COL69&cgid=IDsmart-jackets1135

H&M have soft jersey blazers. I got one in our local one for 9,99€ in the end of spring knockdown. I have a Boden one which makes me look like Angela Merkel has climbed into a navy box. It's being ebayed as foolishly, despite still having tags, I didn't get round to properly trying it.

Zara is a funny old place. I lived in Spain in the mid-eighties and still have knitwear from then, such was the quality. Now it's a cross between cheap, but simple (ie expensive looking) staples, and "OMFG Maria Von Trapp's been at the curtains again". Always makes me laugh when people diss M&S/Per Una on here...if the same thing were in Zara (and Zara did almost an exact replica of The Frock last year) people bill and coo over how fab it is.

I do wish they'd do vanity sizing though. As I said, I'm a busty Egg, so while a 14 is what size guides come up with, I go for 16 to not have lines showing, but in Zara that equates to XXXXXXXL or something.

Ha at Angela Merkel. I understand exactly the look you are not going for.

Hey there! Love this thread. What are the best sites for those wanting to look expensive but on a pauper's wage? I love the floaty wide-leg trousers but could never afford to spend £120 on them!

"I think it’s so much harder looking elegant in summer if you are anything bigger than a size 12. And I’m really not being discriminatory because I am."

I'm not sure I agree. All these recommendations are for loose clothing and in the winter we have to wear layers that give even more bulk so summer is probably more flattering.