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

ThenCame I have a pair of red leather fitflops trainers, I bought them in a sale about 8yrs ago, they are still going strong.

I'd hate to live in perpetual heat, too. Though lots of very hot places do have aircon. Today started off looking like rain and then ended up hot and muggy. Not sure how expensive or stylish I am but I'm now at home in a loose levi's navy vest top, denim shorts and mad curly hair in a messy bun. At least I feel cooler.

I have also just bought this bag and I love it, it is beautifully made.

www.johnlewis.com/modalu-megan-leather-mini-bucket-bag/tan/p3436724

I spotted this lovely leather bag in Next the other day. It’s really slouchy and soft. Good price too.

Angelo that bag is divine!

Oops sorry it was the John Lewis link I was looking at, the £127 bag is a beauty.

It's also a bit of a tardis @Ellapaella. It looks quite compact but can hold quite a lot, including a full sized purse.

I tried on the m&s navy ruched maxi dress today - it looked awful on me . I think maybe to carry off a maxi dress you need to be a different shape to me. I'm not overweight, I'm a tall size 12, but I have a big arse and tits and that dress just made me looked like an overstuffed sausage skin .

I always end up buying my 'go to' style of dress, which is a tea dress or wrap dress. It would be good to find another style that suits me, just to have a different look.

How about a shirt dress, that pulls in at the waist?

I keep coming back to this blazer someone posted about (I read it yesterday, but I read the whole thread in the last 2 days, so it may have been a while ago...). Does anyone have it?

Uniqlo blazer

Shame about the dress BadTaste

AngeloMysterioso love the next bag. And for 2 pounds extra you can have your initials stamped into the leather! Fab!

Land I've never tried a shirt dress because shirts go gapey on me, but maybe if I could find a drapey loose one that could work...

Flump some have extra hidden buttons to prevent gaping. Or you can strategically sew them in yourself!

I must be missing a trick here. I just can't recognise bags that are supposed to look "expensive"

I don't do tan. It doesn't go with anything I wear.

There is also a black version of the one I posted earlier Lonicera, if you liked it!

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/bags-and-luggage/modalu-megan-small-bucket-bag/d889408.pd#289865641,q=modalu-megan

BadTaste it may just be the shape isn't flattering on you. I'm quite straight up and down, I think that dress would just emphasis it, I need a bit more ruching and draping. I'm also a quite tall 10/12. If you know what fits and flatters you well, go with it! The trouble with blanket rules, is they don't always apply.

Lonicera I don't really do tan either, I'm very cool-toned so it just doesn't really suit me. I can pull off very dark brown or more of a taupe instead. But often go for grey, navy, black or silver! My current summer bag is a grey, soft saddle/crossbody with two tassels (cos I like a bit of boho lite in summer) but it will probably only just last this summer then need replacing. Mine was from asos, so not expensive but fairly minimal, neutral and goes with most things I wear.

@Pupsiecola I have the Uniqlo blazer. It's really nice and soft. I bought the navy but may buy the black as well.

That Uniqlo blazer is gorgeous. I have to try it on now.

Thanks picasso. How is sizing?

I like the look of a couple of the Uniqlo bra-dresses, just not sure if they would work with big boobs.

I've got one of them. I'm d cup and it's fine for me

This is my Jigsaw maxi dress, the one that I haven't stopped raving about for 2 summers.

It is the most versatile item of clothing I think I've ever had. I could probably have done my entire week's holiday in Menorca last year with just this. I wore it over a costume to go to the beach/pool, with wedges for the evening and with the white leather fitflop trainers for excursions and wandering around.

I have it as an ebay search because if it comes up I am stockpiling it.

ebay

Damn you Bejazzled!

I want one now . I'm a 32B, will they be too big?

Could you add photos? I love this thread, but when trying to follow advice it still goes spectacularly wrong!?!? NOthing looks right, though I think I have the ‘ingredients’ however I can replicate that I can see (my living room = IKEA)... please don’t judge🙈If I was good at this, I wouldn’t be following this thread with such delight.

I have my eye on this dress
Opinions?