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

kokoloco they both look nice! I have a very similar New Look fedora in grey, from a few years ago. It's still going strong, if that's any help. I think the trick with sunhats is to just get used to wearing a sunhat - good for keeping the sun off your face.

...or a large red nose!!

Tbh I’m only in my local eating a dirty burger so “expensive” isn’t what I’m going for years night

I got a very similar hat to the fedora but in black (from Tesco). I prefer smaller as I feel like I should be on a beach in a bigger, floppy one, so it may depend on if it's just for your holidays or for the UK as well.

I always want to love the large floppy hats, certain I'll look like Elizabeth Taylor, but in reality I look like a mushroom.

Bit I love wide-legged trousers, especially in summer (not so sure about the big boots and red nose ).

I have a black and white floppy hat, too, but it's not so big as that, mine was a bargainous £3 from a beach shop. It folds up to put in a bag, too.

Alert alert! Me + Em sale started and the skirt that someone (quirky?) linked to has £30 off it. I have ordered it in black, and the palazzo pants also linked to in navy. The pants aren't in the sale so the 15% new customer code works!

Now, I need a bulk order of my beloved M & S Ts in navy and white, some tan sandals with covered toes and a low wedge and a frock. If any of you frockery experts want to help, these are my not-at-all-fussy requirements. Jersey, short sleeved, a sort of above/on the knee swingy shift. Too much blub for a fitted jersey one. (though a couple of Boden ones are nice) Navy preferably, but will do black at a push.

Then I am done apart from bargainous stuff. (a Betty Barclay pink boho top being the last of those from ebay at the mo, and today a couple of work shirts from Zara (pale blue crepe and a white "fluid" shirt)

@ThenCameTheFools would this M&S dress fit the bill?

I ordered it in green and it was nice quality jersey (especially for the price!) but was a bit big on me so I sent it back. Worth a try for £15!

In fact this was the one I ordered. It's got a nice feature on the back but it's not blue

I like that dress bit, so it comes up big?

What do we think of this outfit?? And how would you accessorize it? The top is 3/4 length under the blazer. I have tan sandals but need to buy a tan leather belt I think.

ethelfleda I like that look, do you have a leather strapped watch? What bag do you have?

Thank you luxury
I have a tan leather oversized tote
And a black leather strap watch?

You maybe can't tell but the blazer is navy blue 😊
What do we think of customising it with some gold buttons?

I'd go for brown leather watchstrap and I'd say no to gold buttons, might be a bit 'ship's captain'

Haha - thank you luxury
I am so thankful for this thread!

Dancer I wanted it pretty fitted so I needed to size down. If you want it more floaty / skimmy I think you'd be ok with usual size. It fell nicely though and looked much much nicer than £15

Lovely outfit ethel where are your jeans from? I like the colour.

So....big tan leather tote arrived from Next- love it! Have already decanted stuff from old grey bag into new one. I’m certain a tidy bag (minus eleventy billion Ikea two measures) is far more stylish than the tip I’ve been carting about!
I’m still here bring the perfect tan sandals, I have a pair which I’m happy with, but the quest for perfection continues.

Two measures= tape measures.

Thank you dancergirl they are from next -

www.next.co.uk/xo72042s1#544165

May I say I'm loving this thread so much. I offer up humbly this lovely piece which arrived at the weekend. Good length, not too clingy, generous neckline, clean lines. Understated.

www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/jumpsuits/product.sleeveless-jersey-jumpsuit-blue.0636943001.html

momzilla I love that jumpsuit but will it fit n suit 5ft 3 me?

Momzilla82 that's very lovely.

ethelfleda I think a belt would look good, maybe some bangles or a cuff in either gold or silver (whatever suits you)?

I think I need to strike a deal with the delivery men to hide my parcels from my husband 🤣

I find I'm people watching and measuring up to this thread. I saw three definite don'ts at the weekend:

Wide nude belt unless you'd normally wear a crop top 🙈
Rainbow fur sliders
A loose baggy maxi over a black lace bra where you could see everything bar the nipple part of the bra

Sadly 2 dresses from Boden today totally missed the mark, however a £6 tshirt navy strip dress 'ex m&s' is great both belted for work and worn loosely casual.

I'm hoping that a nice pair of size 9 tan leather sandals feature in the summer sales and also a tan tote. I found the Next one too floppy :/

I've ordered a couple of pairs of navy culottes in the hope that they look better than shorts on my huge thighs but I'm not convinced.

I found the Uniqlo blazer too big and too thin, so I'm still on the hunt for a nice navy one to replace my bobbled one from Tu.

Thank you bitout I have ordered my usual size (12) and will see how that fits.

ethel thanks for the jeans link!