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

I was going to buy a swing dress from M&S, it felt really soft, good weight and £15 .....but it was a geometric pattern tiny little squares and the line up on the back (which ok, I'd never see ) annoyed me , it was completely out.
In the end I bought the dress in a bird print (in navy ) but because its abstract, it doesn't have to match up.

The two dresses are really good prices (I was in Debenhams today but looking at make-up, didn't look at clothes )

Thank you ladies.

I was feeling in a rut as I've gained weight due to a mix of nerve pain meds and hormone supplements. Nothing I own fits, so I had to do some shopping. I love the navy/tan/white combo and added in a few muted metallics. It's really helped to have a focus on stuff that I can mix and match. I've never shopped at Uniqlo before but I ordered a selection after seeing it recommended on here. I love the navy shirt dress that I paired with a wide tan belt & my new brushed gold Gabor pumps. I felt confident again and got 3 compliments from strangers today. Thank you for the info on this thread.😊

I'm now off to try the navy maxi M&S dress as they do it in a long.

I'm still in need of a few swimsuits as I don't think I can face bikinis this year. Has anyone seen good swimsuits in a long length? I loved a navy & white one from Tesco F&F but they've sold out in 14 tall

4years your navy/tan/white with muted metallic sounds gorgeous. Sorry to hear you've been unwell. Beige and khaki, sadly don't suit me but I definitely wear lots of blues and whites in summer with silver. I'm in indigo flare jeans with a blue and white stripy shirt today.

My grey, gladiator sandals have come from Etsy, I used a different seller from the one recommended upthread, as reviews said those came up narrow. I used this seller www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Pterna?section_id=19710288 really good customer service and the seller made the straps a bit longer as I have a high instep. Lovely soft leather and soft soles.

I am loving this thread and slowly overhauling my summer wardrobe which previously was a mish-mash of all sorts..

What are your thoughts on this dress in black teamed with tan or metal sandals (which I have yet to buy).

It's cotton and the shape on top should suit me - i like that it is bra friendly too.

www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.pleated-sleeveless-dress-black.0634277001.html

That link doesn't work bzzBeebzz It just takes you to the "choose shipping country" page

Not that I should be allowed on this thread today as I'm wearing wet look leggings and a rolling stones t-shirt

I don't know how to get rid of that - how annoying - sorry

Is it this one bzz?

Pleated sleevless dress?

Yes that's the one.
I think it's going to be a risky one and might well be returned...

I think it's actually rather nice. But as I have said many times on this thread (sorry!) anything that hangs straight down from my bust just makes me look shapeless and enormous. I need something with more waist / more fitted. But I don't know what shape you are Bzz

I'm broad shouldered and what you might call "athletic" in build, around a small size 12, so straight down can sometimes suit (shift dresses in particular). Will give it a go and report back!

Also have two Hush dresses in a basket, also black though i'd prefer navy:

www.hush-uk.com/womenswear/daywear/dresses_skirts/janelle_jersey_maxi_dress_black.htm
www.hush-uk.com/womenswear/daywear/dresses_skirts/alanis_dress_black.htm

I'll also check out the M&S dress mentioned above..

Also on my wish-list are cropped/relaxed chinos..

Think the sandals will be a challenge and hard to find online.

I think you're the perfect shape for that COS dress then!

Not keen on the hankerchief hem on the second Hush one tbh but I'm the voice of misery today

Lol i have a feeling i'll be sending them back too

I need to up my game this summer as I'm nearly 50, a little overweight and stress is putting years on my face. I do have a rather glam holiday this year and need a decent wardrobe.

I bought this www.myexquisiteshop.com/products/marina-block-handbag-in-italian-leather in Navy and white to start me off as I love bags. I really need some comfortable sandals for my size 8 feet and some longer, floaty tops to hide tummy and bum

I like the sound of a glam holiday Luxury

Will you dress like this

BitOutOfPractice Oh don't - that guy Dave is it? His fringe reminds me of when I cut my then toddlers hair

bzzbeebzz you sound a similar shape to me, 10/12 broad shoulders and quite up and down (inverted triangle). I like the cos dress and those hush dresses.

BitOutOfPractice the wet look leggings and rolling stones t-shirt sound great. Can't beat a bit of rock chick chic .

Hi, reporting back, I've been missing from the S&B boards for a little while.

I posted back on 17/05 @ 16:31 about an £8 linen and viscose vest from Primark. I hand washed and line dried it and it ironed beautifully. I had worn it with some white cotton cargo pants, and felt very cool and comfortable.

A couple of other purchases - this £4 Primark straw hat and £12 F&F bikini top in black. I have two pairs of black bikini bottoms from M&S that are still good, but the bikini top from there was never flattering for my shape. Pleased that I can now look effortlessly expensive when I go on holiday .

I bought this skirt today. It's probably not remotely stylish but it was £4 in a charity shop and still had the tag on so was a bit of a bargain. Are denim skirts a complete no no? I won't look like the woman in the link unfortunately but am hoping I can look reasonably ok with a white tee and tan sandals?

And on the subject of sandals, are these ok? teva sandals blog. I need something really comfy for hours of standing around on holiday - I linked to the blog rather than the teva shop link here because I realise they look a bit grim on their own

Maybe I love that top - I went into Primark recently and was surprised how nice some if their stuff was.

Maybeicanhelp they all look lovely.

I don't think I needed anything else - but suffered a twitch today and got these from Warehouse. I'm too short and wide for maxis or floaty dresses galleon under sail so tend to stick to knee or midi length.
The dark one is cotton/linen and the green is viscose. Both flattering for a chubby apple 🍎

Thank you @BadTasteFlump and @bzzbeebzz.

I do like a lot of the Primark stuff, but you need to sort through a lot of it to find the hidden gems.

I don't have a big budget for clothes, so I enjoy finding bargains and wear more classic looking pieces these days.

In my view, wearing something that you like and suits you gives you the confidence to carry it off, whether it costs £4 or £400.

BadTasteFlump teva sandals are super comfy, especially for lots of walking. I've seen some suede ones on amazon that look lovely, but we're £££s.

Bejazzled I love the dark one with the twist, gorgeous.

Maybeicanhelp I agree, I think the idea of someone looking "effortlessly chic" is often that the effort has gone into finding something very flattering, which might appear simply put together, but looks good because the style, colour, fabric etc. really works. Love a good bargain, too.