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

The shops are full of blingy sandals at the moment. The ones I ended up buying do have a bit of bling on them, but 17 year old DD likes them so they can't be that frumpy.

This thread is so useful. Can anyone recommend a website, or something, that just has loads of images of stylish casual outfits? I have tried Pinterest but can't get on with it.

The Boden dress is indeed pricey and is more than I would have previously spent, but I think the price per wear is going to be low as I can wear it for so many different things, including work with a cropped blazer. I’m trying to buy mindfully and have a few things I love and can wear lots instead of lots of sale items or bought in a rush at the airport items that aren’t quite right, which is what usually happens.
I received the two Hush black long dresses but they are truly atrocious on me, I am totally swamped by swathes of shapeless fabric and I think I have to accept black is not good on me. Navy is fine.
However the Hush girlfriend chinos are good and I might keep them or else wait for the sale.
My absolute best purchase this week is a navy linen tshirt from H&M which looks really smart worn over their white vest top.

Nice dress kitchen. Going to see if I can find reviews on the sizing.

Whats everyones thoughts on this dress? gb.benetton.com/midi-dress-with-boat-neck-black-3Z6G7V148_100.html
Is it a bit meh/ordinary?

I like it a lot.

It has pockets = it's a winner!

I was surprised at the price. I always thought benetton was really expensive. Its not as much of a bargain as that debenhams dress though

Benetton is really good fo rbasics like that But why is everything black this year? I really want a navy dress.

The neckline would be too high on me but it’s a bargain if it suits you!

@MinaPaws I’ve found Boden has tonnes of navy but I agree that other shops seem to just offer black

I've added a jersey dress to my shopping list, for the last few days in the house at least, I've had my legs out, as it's so hot here, I am slobbing round in an Asda nighty, which basically could be worn as an above knee jersey shift dress. As I've been looking at my legs therefore more than usual when they're inside trousers, I've decided maybe they aren't as terrifying as I thought (once I've hidden the toes and varicose veins and maybe fake tanned the mozzarella colour away) I am so bloody comfy, that's the point.

I know what you mean by carpark lady. I was looking through some old pics the other day, from the 80s fgs, when I was an au-pair and the mother, who would have been in her early 40s I guess, was very stylish (Spanish) but the thing is, what she was wearing then- 1987, is what we are still saying is classy/stylish/expensive looking now. Ankle skimming trousers, Breton, jersey blazer, tan moccasins, big sunnies.

I also agree with the fact that it's less to do with being slim, and wearing things that actually fit. I can still get into my size 10 bi stretch- sure, but there's a mound of blub over the waistband. I definitely need a 12 if not a 14. T-shirts- yes, around the house I'm still slobbing in the size 10-12s but I know I need a 14-16.

Update from me - I am returning the Teva leather sandals because I can't get past how fugly they are on me. Maybe if I had smaller feet they could look ok, but they are huge and I'm too old to do the 'ironic' granny sandal look

thank god you said that flump. I thought they were vile

Ha ha Bit if they had been really comfortable I may have wavered (though I hope not) but they weren't anyway. I do have some really comfy Puma suedes that I could wear at Disney so maybe I should just shelve the 'comfy sandals for Disney' idea...

I'm all for comfy but not at the expense of my soul!

Yay bitoutof!!

BadTaste I do think shoes and particularly sandals need a sense of proportion with your foot shape (and absolutely no good if they are uncomfortable). My feet are size 7, a bit wide with a high instep, so dainty little sandals look silly on me, also ones that show too much foot. Sadly, I did not inherit my mum's narrow, sloping toed, pretty feet and lots of shoes are just too flat/tight around my feet . I look great in slightly chunky shoes or sandals, though. I suppose it's a bit like other clothes that need to fit as well as be in proportion to your body.

We went to some local gardens yesterday that do teas and music (and the dcs can go explore and play), it was great for people watching. There was loads of bright floral dresses on display, but one woman looked so chic in a very simple outfit of long, fitted breton top, muted scarf around her neck, slim not skinny dark jeans, ballerinas and glossy brown hair in a french twist. Another older woman had on a long, slim, darkish blue dress with a slight pattern, little black cardigan and long, shiny hair down, but pinned up off her face. Both quite different outfits, but simple and very flattering.

I think that's the big take away from this thread - patterns are hard to wear!

Totally agree, I think I’ve been misled by patterns all my life, well in summer anyway.

I think it very much depends on the pattern of course. Avoiding patterns completely wold be pretty dull I think.

@BitOutOfPractice - that is something that does come up on the expensive threads- the posh/well heeled look can be quite a dull look, and can be a bit boring if you strive for it all the time.

I agree on patterns mostly BUT I wore this dress, with a cream panama hat, tan shoes and bag and small gold hoops/small gold bracelet yesterday for a bbq and got about 10 compliments (no exaggeration).

Gah I was also wearing polka dots yesterday. It's a navy dress that's a real go to for me in the summer. I wore it with a tan belt and tan sandals and think I looked OK

I also love stripes and small geometric patterns. I'm not so good with flowery / splashy / big prints though

And that dress is lovely. Where's it from. It is right up my style street - a dress, a good colour on me, and fitted at the waist