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

Spray starch on your linen, you’ll look crisp and cool.

Then Primark and Sainsburys are your friend weekfour

Sorry, ethelfleda, I'm rubbish with links - just Google H&M breastfeeding vest, it's a pack of 2 for under £20.

Macnab love the shoes!

The Me + Em jacket I ordered to try has arrived. It is so lovely. Beautiful, soft material and the olive green colour is great. No way can I bring myself to return it.

Pic please

Yes, picture please. I’ve been eyeing it up.

What do posters think of this dress?

www.marksandspencer.com/linen-rich-printed-tunic-dress/p/p60156459?image=SD_01_T42_9021_F4_X_EC_90&color=NAVYMIX&prevPage=plp

Landof what body shape are you please? I love that jacket and the colour is good for me. But a) belts tend to annoy me (although I guess you'd leave it undone a lot) and therefore b) would it flatter an hourglass (probably not if unbelted.

TY

@Pupsiecola I am quite slim (usually, I am pregnant atm!). I'm 5'11" and normal weight is about 57kg, a size 10. The jacket is quite loose cut so I think without the belt it might not show off your shape very well. Online it does say to size down if you're between sizes.

@peachypetite and @weekfour, I will post of photo of it when DS goes for his nap. Not on me though as my bump has popped out now!

I like it @WorkAllDone .
It’d be short on me though. I’m tall and always feel like there’s about two inches more leg on show than there should be. I like the pattern on it and colours.

weekfour,
Thanks for your reply. I am short, so hopefully a good length, I just don't know if it will fit as I am a size 4 or 6 depending on the clothes, finding it really hard lately to find anything to fit.

Here's the trench coat. I love it!

If any of you are planning to buy one, I suggest signing up for their emails first and they should give you 15% off.

Land that trench looks gorgeous .

macnab lovely shoes, I will have to admire from afar, as that style are so not made for a high instep! Still awaiting my gladiator sandals from Etsy, as they tried to deliver them when I was out yesterday . Not that the intermittent rain is exactly the weather for them, anyway.

Lovely, green is one of my best colours .

@Pupsiecola I know Gok used to suggest a belt for an hourglass because it emphasises your waist but it just makes my boobs and hips look enormous. A trench can be great with the belt tied at the back to cinch in the coat, following your shape. Love the Me&Em trench, I'm loving loads of their clothes atm but it does annoy me that so many of their clothes are dry clean only and I refuse to buy anything that needs specialist cleaning.

@WorkAllDone I like the dress - too short on me too. I think it needs flats though - the shoes it's styled with don't work.

I ordered a couple of dresses over the weekend - I've been trying to find some plain-ish navy summer dresses, but everything in the shops seems to be 'holiday' colours and patterns. So I found these two online:

plain navy dress

navy/white dress

Oops sorry meant to say - what do you think? Not so sure about the second but it's so cheap I thought it was worth a go...

I like the first. have you tried the M&S navy jersey maxi dress ? It's lovely if it's right for your shape. Looks £££ more than it is

Order both @WorkAllDone and then send one back? I always tend to think M&S come up big but I’ve no experience with smaller sizes. I think I agree with the flats suggestion too.

Thanks Known.

I bought the M&S dress (navy) they had red as well. The weight is lovely and flowing.

I like the navy dress on your link, the patterned one depends on how the pattern lines up (Patterns always look their price)

T-Shirts are always good to get out of my comfort zone with colour. I do prefer navy to black but I have to stop myself always choosing navy/navy pattern.

i bought a pale blue TShirt today and a light orange top yesterday, bit of colour that I;m not 100% sure of, but I'll give them a punt

I tried the m&s dress and it didn't suit me at all - but then I've never found a maxi dress that does. I'm not overweight but I have a very sticky outy arse - so a really long skirt just goes out at my arse and just kind of stays out! I'm hoping this shorter version may work a bit better.

I know what you mean about patterns 70 but I thought it was worth a go since I was placing an order anyway.