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

Me too 4years I've bought waaayyy too much as a result of this thread

I find myself people watching and wondering if they ARE people on this board! There was a woman at my train station this morning wearing a gorgeous navy blue dress with embroidered birds on that I remember being discussed on here a few months ago. We need a secret S&B signal

Ha! Yes we need a secret handshake. I'm OBSESSED with expensive people watching and also sometimes wonder if I'm admiring a fellow poster.

Can I just say that this is my longest running and favourite thread in my MN history.
So thank you all....we might need a part 2 soon. Unmumsnetty hugs to you all!

Has anyone spotted a stylish swimsuit? I'm after one that flatters curves. I had my eye on a Boden one that was black with tiny gold dots but it's sold out. I'm thinking a solid colour and retro look, preferably in a longer length.

Thoughts on this bag www.pureluxuries.com/en-gbp/product-info/pure-luxuries-alloa-tan-pebbled-cowhide-leather-cross-body-bag/PLB59-ALLOA-TAN/ I like a cross body when running around after my daughter & when traveling but I also love a tote, so I can't decide what to go for. Thanks 😊

That's a bargain, 4years, I love a crossbody bag, too. I currently have for my summer bag, a grey, soft saddle bag type with a tassel (I love a tassel it's my nod to boho ) but it's starting to look a bit worn on the inside, so will need replacing either this summer or next.

I love people watching too, diamondsandrose. One of the women I know who always looks very expensive (and is quite well off) wears a kind of uniform that really works for her. Dress or denim skirt with cami top, ugg flipflops (the very sleek, plain brown leather ones), silver necklace, long swishy hair either down or twisted up, very natural makeup, oversize glasses. I don't think she has a massive wardrobe, but everything really works and is well considered.

I find I'm people watching and measuring up to this thread

Me too! This thread has made me see what works and what doesn't.

Thanks to you all, I now consider fabric as well as colour and size
I have realised that covering up looks much better than not
That it's not good to wear tight fitting clothes top and bottom

And I just generally feel smarter and more classy! I sorted all my clothes out last night so I only have all my nice new stuff to wear - all neatly ironed.

There has to be another thread in autumn. Autumn is my favourite season.

I really like that bag 4yearsnosleep. Except that it is tan in colour.
What is this MN obsession with tan? It doesn't suit me and it doesn't go with any of my clothes. On the back of this thread I went to look for tan sandals and of the few I manged to find and try on they just looked so wrong on me.

I ended up buying some navy ones instead. All my bags are black, navy or red, and go with my clothes.

"Autumn is my favourite season."

It is the worst season for me clothes-wise. I had my colours done years ago and suit winter colours. I find it so difficult to find colours that suit me among the browns, ochres, oranges, olive greens etc. I generally don't go clothes shopping in autumn.

Lonicera
I am autumn so those colours do suit me luckily. Although it's more the wrapping up and the cosy feel of autumn I like.

Interesting you mention colour seasons - I've never quite been able to work out what mine are - I do have tan accessories and they look good (I think) but peachy/yellowy colours worn close to my face make me look a bit ill. On that basis I've always thought I was a 'Winter' - also I have v dark hair and eyes. Black and Navy really suit me too.

But then other colours suit me that shouldn't... khaki really suits me, and chocolate brown too. Peachy colours look awful, but bright orange and other zingy (non-Winter) colours suit me too.

My skin tone is weird I think - I tan really easily and never burn, and when I do the vein test for cool or warm, I can't really tell if they're blue or green, because my skin is kind of yellowy itself. Sometimes in photos I actually look a bit green (olive?) compared to other normal 'pink' people

Sorry I know I'm off on a tangent but the colours thing fascinates me. Any insights on what I might be?

On the clothes front - I now have a nice neat row of white t shirts but haven't quite got used to wearing them yet - hence the row on them in my wardrobe! I also saw some potentially good plain summer dresses on Dorothy Perkins' website (lots in the sale) which I have ordered - a couple of plain jersey dresses, maxi and knee length options, in red and navy (other colours available!). There were tall options too, which I need as usually 'knee length' for me means half way up my thigh.

Anyway I will report back when they arrive! I'm loving the regular parcel deliveries atm - my credit card bill less so

BadTasteFlump you could be quite neutral, so some warmer and some cooler colours suit you. Winter can be bright and clear, so bright orange etc. could suit you too.

I had my colours done 6yrs ago, it was by an independent image consultant who used something called directional colour analysis which has more colour palettes than the "seasons", so I came out as very cool-toned, a bit light and very slightly muted. That makes me a summer but some winter colours are my best colours: bright white, emerald, raspberry and cornflower. I can just about get away with black if I mix it with something else kids self. Today, I'm in a black, polka dot, silk shirt (charity shop), silver earrings with pale flared jeans.

Quirky I love a polka dot - I found a lovely navy polka dot Esprit shirt in a charity shop recently - you've reminded me to actually wear it

Tbh I thought the colour 'rules' were that you had to be one particular season - I'm basing that on a 'Colour me beautiful' book somebody bought me about 20 years ago - so it's probably a little out of date!

I'm on the lookout for a perfect classic leather ballet flat - ones that can be reheeled.

Has anyone seen any of Audrey Coyne's videos on YouTube? She gets it right most of the time IMO. She's so stylish and graceful. I want to be her when I grow up

Can anyone recommend any bloggers who are 40+ with quite a preppy, tomboy, Scandinavian style look please?

@FlyMaybe the French Sole ballet flats that were discussed upthread are great. Really well made and comfortable. There are lots of styles but some are very simple and classic.

Aaah confussed just stick to our wise advice!!

Is this like those laundry bags?

@wizzywig Now you've said that I can't unsee it!

Crap i ordered it

Hi 4years - have you had a look at the Boden Maratea swimsuit? I have it in black and it is SUPERB. I am an hourglass and it flatters me in all the right places.

Just don't point out the similarity to people when you wear it @wizzywig

“Although it's more the wrapping up and the cosy feel of autumn I like.”

And I prefer the peeling off heavy layers in summer. I hate the cold and feeling encumbered by loads of clothes. I don’t like “cosy”, I prefer light and airy - and warmer weather.

@Confusssed try Eliina Olofsson - I follow her on IG, she has a very simple, effortless style IMO.

@teta I think that at 5"3 it would still work as it has ankle cuffs and is quite a loose fit harem style fit- but no harm in trying.

@4yearsnosleep have you seen this swimsuit? www.bhs.com/fashion/womenswear/holiday-shop/swimwear/swimsuits/navy-white-nautical-stripe-swimsuit/p/10110200 I thought it was relatively stylist but who knows.

I have also recently bought these forever shorts from Toast. www.toa.st/uk/product/womens+trousers/c4jch/cotton+linen+twill+shorts.htm

And this black dress but sized way down as otherwise it was like a shroud! www.toa.st/uk/product/sale+womens/cjjap/crinkled+cotton+shift+dress.htm

I am also looking intently at dresses at Zara and Arket.