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 personally am all over the jumpsuit this summer. Just sayin'

I totally agree with @quirkychick, it's all about trying to find things that really suit you. They often look simple but finding them is not!

I tried some teva sandals but couldn't get on with them, the toe posts were in the wrong place for me so they forced my feet into an awkward, angled position. Really weird, never had that with sandals before! Not an issue with the ones you posted though @BadTasteFlump, as they have no toe post!

I got some lovely sandals from Toms. I really like their ethical activities; for every pair of shoes you buy they give a pair of shoes to a child in need.

Not a helpful response, but that Teva blog post is hilarious. If you value your toes, you'd never go to a festival in sandals. Certainly not if you wanted to dance in a crowd or use the portaloos!

Anyway, back to the lovely clothes.

The warehouse linen twist dress looks really flattering. Let us know how it looks in real life please.

Are fitflops considered stylish, thinking of getting some....

I wouldn’t consider fitflops as stylish...more comfortable than anything, then again being uncomfortable never looks stylish either.

www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/womens-view-all-uk/halo-leather-toe-post-sandals-p-I42-098?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpsDcmtC92wIVyZrVCh0hmAu7EAkYASABEgJjP_D_BwE#fo_c=763&fo_k=1f527142ff8d430a05b9d1687f77d6f5&fo_s=gplauk&_$ja=93973:|cid:1413133357|agid:54061145205|tid:pla-293946777986|prd:{ProductId}|crid:{AdId}|nw:|dvc:m|st:{QueryString}|mt:{BidMatchType}

The teva sandals I have were not the toe post ones, which seemed to have the ankle strap too low as I have a high instep. Someone upthread linked to some thinner soled fitflops that looked more like regular sandals. I used to have plantar fasciitis, so am familiar with fitflops, birkies and teva. I've been trying to transition my feet slowly out of arch supports and used teva sandals last year. Mine were grey from tkmaxx, I don't know if they still have them, great as walking sandals as I usually walk a lot on hard pavements.

I think the black jersey Hush maxi dress is lovely- but I reckon you can get an identical one a lot cheaper than £55 as it's classically plain (which I love) I have been on so many websites the last week or so I can't exactly remember where, but I am sure there is one virtually the same for under £20

I am trying to sit on my hands and not buy now until the sales, which must be about to kick in, surely? I have had the odd few "preview" type emails. I have a (hopefully expensive looking) wishlist for Boden/Jaeger/Jigsaw (my new favourites) Mint Velvet/Cos (which I always thought "wtf is all that about then?" but they have some very nice things as well. And of course Me + Em, which I have only heard about thanks to you lot and want £300 worth of stuff.

Fitflops- IMO can look classy and can look utterly non classy. It depends on the feet within them more than anything I have minging toes (not only ruined nails on both big toes thanks to a sofa moving incident but also my big toes are a good inch and half longer than my others) so I go for covered toes. The Menorcan cork wedges I linked to upthread are still out of stock and so obviously I have gone from slightly-liking-them to needing-them-or-I'll-die. I have been looking at the (covered toes) Cova sandals from Fitflop (another plantar fasciitis sufferer here) but am unsure at the mo'.

I am currently on a challenge to wear a different pair of shoes every day until I run out (I have a LOT of shoes and I have just dug out a pair of silver low wedge espadrilles that I'm so excited to wear.

@ThenCameTheFools - The Warehouse black jersey dress looks good for much less.

@BadTasteFlump delurking to say those Teva sandals are available on the Outlet part of the Teva site for £14. Most sizes available, also in white.

How can you not take a punt on them for £14??!!

www.teva.co.uk/1011501SS.html?dwvar_1011501SS_color=TAN#start=4&cgid=outlet-women

Oh. I just saw you linked already so you probably know. Well for £14 that is still a bargain for leather sandals !

Sorry I think they look like a walking sandal.

Thanks @ThenCameTheFools

I agree I should be able to get something for less than the crazy Hush prices, though the warehouse style (cinched at the waist) will just accentuate lumps and bumps, so I need something more shift style. If you look t it in organic you can see that even the skinny model has the fabric catching here and there.

I'll keep an eye out.
If the Hush dress is perfect (unlikely) i don't mind splashing out on an investment dress that i will wear lots both at home and on holidays.

*in orange not organic

So I started this year with 5 pairs of sunglasses, and after some mishaps, I now only have the prada pair I treated myself to 11 years ago on my honeymoon - that look ok, but rather dated, which I think makes my whole 'look' dated when wearing them.

I can't remember which PP said that glasses seem to make or break an outfit in the summer, and good accessories can 'lift' an otherwise plain dress - so would like to get this right!

Stylish/elegant ladies, I have £100 left of my summer budget to buy a beach bag and new glasses - what shapes/styles are we going for? Have you seen anything great on your shopping travels? (I have realised I look better in brown rather than black/grey glasses)

coffee I bought this bag from M&SS* for a friend recently and it's lovely in the flesh. I bought it as beach bag for her but it's smart enough for everyday use too

Delurking to ask about the Me and Em long skirt - is it one of those that skim your bum a bit too closely? Or is it decent heavy fabric? I love that style but have seen too many cheaper versions that cling most unpleasantly. I'm not in the UK so don't want to make an expensive shipping mistake!

coffee tkmaxx can be very good for sunglasses, I have an Armani aviator pair. Discount sites like Brandalley can be good too, but sometimes there is a long delivery time. I have a good pair from a charity shop too, slightly squarish and oversize (but that suits my round face).

Teva are walking sandals, yes. It might depend on how you style them, I think the leather, tan ones probably look less walking sandal. On the other hand if you have painful feet, you need something you can walk in.

I've been stalking this thread from the beginning, and it is making me poor - also worried about when DH checks the credit card bill!

I am currently awaiting the arrival of some lovely wide legged trousers, roll-up chino type trousers and lovely floaty tops. My tan leather sandals are divine! I will look chic for about 5 minutes until non of it fits anymore because I am on a diet and an idiot to by buying clothes all summer!

Sorry I think they look like a walking sandals

That's ok, that's what they are - I know they wouldn't win any style awards but I want them specifically for lots of walking for days on end at Disney and just didn't want them to look hideous. I've been before and my feet/ankles were in agony because I chose fashion over comfort. I could wear trainers but it's bound to be v hot so not ideal.

MrsMaria thanks for the link - that is where I ordered them from - the price was the main sell tbh!

I think I need some new jewellery, I normally wear silver but tried on a gold necklace recently and thought it looked good with my skin colour as I have a bit of a tan. Need new comfortable sandals for my holiday too.

I wondered about getting the bag I bought in the pale blue too, but it might be too light - not sure

@LuxuryWoman2017
I absolutely love that bag - do you know what the quality is like?
How large is it - i can't see measurements..

@bzzbeebzz I just measured my blue/white one its 24cm long and 27cm high. The quality is amazing for the price, really soft leather and I love silver hardware. I think they sell mainly to Europe as the prices are in euro but that doesn't put me off. I like the handle as it is unsual with a clip lock adjuster which makes it look expensive.

Right, where so I get comfy sandals?