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

If you want to look expensive on a budget i recommend massimo dutti!

Thanks for the recommendation BrightonCalling.

My fave look this summer if I had the perfect body that is

www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Bardot-Neckline-Stripe-Top-/p/BNCST?swatch=Navy/White

You have a massive headstart if you can....
Be tall.
Be thin.
Have cheekbones that could be used as coathangers.
Have long, elegant limbs and hands.

runs and hides

Ooooh, just the thread I need!

I think white linen trousers can look good- it just depends how you wear them and they only really look good on a slim figure!

This year I was thinking I'll be wearing a khaki jumpsuit with gold metallic sandals, a navy dress with tan sandals and bag, a bretton long sleeved top with white capris, a black sleeveless floaty midi dress with wedges, and a cotton blazer if it's chilly.

For work I've bought some red capris- but what will I wear with them- was thinking pointed flats and a white blouse?

Can anyone recommend a truly gorgeous tan leather medium sized handbag?

I have to disagree that alabaster skin is the holy grail. That is very discriminatory! Can’t believe what I’m reading. Whatever skin you have keep it healthy that’s all you need.

If you wear linen you need to know how to starch your laundry. Proper starch keeps it looking crisp for far longer.

Yes, alabaster skin is a bit exclusive...

My skin tone is sort of Mediterranean, I always go brown by May. I feel a bit common with my tan, but it is what it is.

I think linen trousers are not often a great look, let alone expensive!

Better are dresses, or plain jumpsuits imo

Agree about skin Brittany. Skin-tone isn't something that makes someone look expensive in my eyes.

Beige slim Chinos with loafers/boat shoes, silk or light cotton blouse tucked in and and sleeves rolled up and a nice belt. Easy to wear and comfortable but stylish. Add some jewellery and swap loafers for heels for an evening look.

Oh FGS I wasn't being any more discriminatory than those who stated a light, even tan was the holy grail.

Its a S&B thread. Not the last bastion of the mortally offended.
Fwiw I'm a swarthy jewish girl so no proponent of the pale and interesting.

I do think that porcelain skin in the height of summer is extremely classy looking. Its just so hard to maintain and beautiful. I make no apologies for that.

Love the queen Rania pic (swoons)

That woman is gorgeous. Look at her smooth even brown arms, sigh

I always think Italians and Spanish woman look amazing, everything is so neutral and expensive. Glossy hair, smooth brown limbs,fab sunglasses, lovely jewellery. They look RICH! I could talk about people like that all day.

Freckly people like me aren't in their summer league! But I bravely try my best
I do go quite brown eventually ( via high spf obvs) as am strange sallow yet freckly blue eyed person.

I wear a lot of white, chambray( especially with modal or tencel as hangs well) olive green, tan leather sandals and sometimes wedges. I'm small so need the height. Lots of beige and black and white.

Totally agree with pp about "summer holiday clothes" and "summery nail colours" sometimes looking cheap.
Garish patterns, overly bright colours, cheap fabrics.

Great linen shirts in Uniqlo. I ordered four to choose from and kept three .

I tend to stick to tan accessories with white/navy/chambray or silver with grey or white.

All my weight seems to have moved to my knees in my fifties so I wear dresses rather than shorts now.

Agree that linen is risky. Unless you can somehow manage to avoid creasing it (which is virtually impossible) it doesn't look good.

I think floaty clothes which skim the body look best. There's this weird thing many people in the UK do where once the sun comes out they throw on the skimpiest thing they can find. Lots of skin (or underwear!) showing doesn't look good on most people and doesn't even keep you cool as you've got the sun directly on your skin.

I saw a woman yesterday in white linen trousers and she looked really smart ( she just got out of a BMW though so I'm guessing she had £)

She had white linen trousers , no VPL, and was very slim.
Short sleeved top and sandles
Tan (light)
Not overdone , but pulled together.

On my AVOID list:

those strapless maxi dresses (trip over the hem and we see an eyefull)
those strapless playsuits - should only be worn at the pool but not IRL
manky unkempt feet
razor rash (ouch)
vest top and bra strap combo
too much sequinny blingy detail

No more than 3 colours.

I saw a woman last summer in a black above knee dress, it looked so simple but striking. No sleeves and probably cheap.

I am looking for some denim shorts but hemmed.

@fresta like the sound of your outfits can I ask where your black floaty midi is from?

I'm following this with interest but feel I look more bedraggled than chic in the heat with a 3 and 1.5 yo!

For a subtle tan I would really recommend the Clarins drops that you mix with your own moisturiser. It makes it completely customisable so I use a few more drops on my legs which are always gleaming white and less on my arms which tan quite well. A subtle tan on the face means you can skip foundation which slides off in the heat anyway.

For tan sandals I like the look of these, although I have a similar pair from last year:

m.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-shoes-boots/sandals/a0156/womens-jillian-sandals

Jersey trousers from M&S are fab - plain colours look way more expensive and classy than patterned ones.

I'm a big fan of the Uniqlo linen shirts (does need a hot iron before wearing) and also this cotton dress www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-uniqlo-u-100pct-cotton-3d-crew-neck-balloon-short-sleeve-dress-406667.html
It's pure cotton ,hangs really well,looks FAR more expensive than it costs and can be dressed up or down. Given it covers flesh it's surprising ly cool.

Have to say the most important thing to looking expensive is being slim and having good skin.... Going to forgoe a trip to the bakery this morning!

I live in Geneva and my local supermarket is like a How To Look Expensive guidebook.
The most expensive looking women have

• Immaculate but understated mani pedi
• very shiny and beautifully cut and coloured hair
• again understated designer bags that look well used & loved
• flat leather shoes
• clothes that fit and flatter
• one piece of statement jewellery

Then there are the women who are clearly loaded but somehow look cheap. They usually have

• too bright nails
• very obviously coloured hair
• cosmetic surgery
• high heels or blingy flats with obvious labels such as Gucci or LV
• brand new “it” bags that look like the label was just cut off
• too short or tight or low cut clothes

I haven't got the black floaty Midi yet- but have my eye on a couple from Hush to try on

Honeycake50 Me too. I wear loads of colour but people always say I look elegant and dress well. I'd never wear the clothes suggested on this thread

Alabaster skin = expensive looking? Casual racism at it's worst.