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

These T shirts are really good for casual days. Soft material and a relaxed fit. They come in tall and petite too. I have them in !navy, white and black. 40% off at the moment.

www.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?pcid=5058&vid=1&pid=000241906015&searchText=Boatneck

So glad I stumbled across this tread! I am currently having a bit of a image improvement after some relationship probs! Going to spend more time and money on me. I love summer chic and the expensive look but with a little bohemian mixed in too.
These are my summer inspo looks

Also for a light tan I really rate the Dead Sea salt soak and Korean Italy towels followed by the new dove gradual tan. It never streaks and is soo subtle it looks like you have just spent some time out in the sun

Straw or raffia baskets and handbags, particularly if they have leather handles look very classy in the summer and they're usually fairly inexpensive.

@heartbrokenhettie sorry about your break up. Hope you're feeling better soon

I LOVE your second image. The shorts in particular. The first one wouldn't suit me but the second is fabulous

heartbrokenhettie I hope you feel better soon, too. Lovely images. I could manage the first one with denim shorts under. I love a bit of boho thrown in too. I do often need a sunhat of some sort too, sunburnt scalp is not nice or pretty .

I like that dress bluebeck!

I am off to Sweden this week so will make sure to look carefully at clothes! Like BOF, I’m not too good in boxy clothes, but I do love a shift dress or a traditional sun dress (fitted top, waisted, fullish skirt)- usually manage to find one or two in Boden, Laura Ashley or Gap.

tanaqui if you find anything do let me know, because I find sweet FA. ;)

tanaqui thats where i am. Enjoy. The weather is gorgeous!!! H&m, indiska and ahlens has loads of stuff

bani ive never met you but i can guarantee you are one chic woman. You are genetically programmed for it

Wizzy, sadly I was always the odd one out here, with my keratosis pilaris, pale skin that burned and generous amount of body hair Also was always a nerd so never wore The Latest - ah well! Some people have it, some don't. Now I know what I like and what suits me, and I'd like to buy that please. There's nothing.

I am looking forward to it Wizzy- where are you? I am trying to pack a very small bag that will cover all eventualities!

Hettie lovely to see you over here ! I know you from other threads we are on

I started this one for some light relief and it's fantastic, we are a nice bunch! Love your pics x

Thanks @diamondsandrose fab thread, definitely some light relief. Love summer and love fashion so will be getting a lot of inspo from here.

Update on the Oasis dress... I wore it once and all the material bobbled! So disappointing. I am returning it for a refund.

@LandOfOddSocks - I'm terribly glad it sold out in my size then!!

Very lucky @CoffeeOrSleep!

It's such a shame. The search continues...

I popped into h&m today and tried on a jumpsuit version of those jersey dresses, but it managed to be both a bit too loose and shapeless . It wasn't great fabric, either, but usually that slightly slouchy gathered waist works for me.

My Etsy grey sandals have been dispatched, so looking forward to those. Fingers crossed they fit well, the seller said they could make the straps slightly looser to accommodate my high instep.

My Uniqlo blazer arrived. It's too big though. I am going to send it back. Undecided whether to reorder in a smaller size.

I got a text from la redote saying theres a sale on. Is their stuff any good?

This is such a great thread! I am really struggling with summer dressing this year.

I am fairly small at 5ft 3 and a size 8-10 so maxi dresses and skirts swamp me. I'm a short ripped denim shorts and vest top kind of girl but sometimes it would be nice to look a bit smarter but still casual.

I like playsuits but can never seem to find a jumpsuit that suits and fits me properly. Was thinking of trying a culotte jumpsuit maybe?

wizzywig I used to shop from La Redoute years ago, before online shopping and still have a few pieces from then. Not sure what it's like now.

Feeze I spotted someone very chic in a silky, navy jumpsuit with wide-legs yesterday, it was fitted on the top half with flow trousers. She looked amazing and cool in the warm weather. It's a good look.

That jumpsuit sounds lovely! I love any fabrics with a silky feel to them! I was thinking I'd need the culottes to be a bit cropped as I'm not very tall?

Hello all!
I'm currently on page 5 of this thread! Not sure how likely it is that I will get to read all of it though (7mo is currently napping)

Would anyone mind making some specific recommendations for me please??

I'm 5'7" and a size 10 (was an 8 before baby so none of my clothes fit me properly without looking cheap - but I prefer being a size 10!) Skin is fairly olive - I tan well (but wear spf30 daily) dark hair etc etc
I am on a budget due to mat leave pay (about £300 to spend) and would love some ideas for a capsule wardrobe to put together for the summer. What would you buy??
Also - breastfeeding but don't want to buy specific nursing tops etc - prefer to layer up for nursing.