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 wouldn’t do Black sandals in summer

I have:

Rose gold pointy flats
Red ballet flats
3x plain lace up daytime sneakers in silver/white/green
Gold sandals
Grey sparkly slip ons

Sounds garish, but on flats it actually seems to work well - and (try this in a shop!) wearing something visually bright on your feet draws the eye down which lengthens the leg visually!

I have had plain tan ballet flats and own work black ballet flats but they definitely looked a bit more “secretary being smart” than expensive

I do do black sandals in summer but I like black with tan soles. I also do leopard print as for me it’s a neutral

If were going down the route that natural fabrics are more classy, then tan for shoes follows that route as it's a natural colour for leather to be.

I like tan but not the orangey shade, I like more of a camel colour but it's quite hard to find.

What do you think of these?

Foe mw it is - Neutral painted nails, lovely light fresh foundation such as origins vitiazing with a dusting of Bronzer. Tinted and shaped brows. Nice simple earrings. Rolled up khaki chinos or short jeans that are now in fashion with a flowy light white shirt over the top. Pedicured toenails, saltwater sandals/ birkenstocks in tan/ gold/ white.

Lonicera, I do like those sandals, in particular the gold, the other colours not so much.

They would look lovely with a summer dress .

I would look mega frumpy and feel miserable if I dressed this way, I need a touch of goth

I like the gold ones as well. I work near a shop with a Pavers concesion so I might go and have a look. My sandals are 5 years old, but I hardly get any wear out of them as we don't often get the right kind of weather.

I bought some black sandles a couple of weeks ago (well black and white) from Clarks. I've got navy and fuschia pink too.
But lots of my clothes have a bit of black so it makes sense , though I don;t like a lot of black clothes myself .

I prefer wearing clear bright colours to neutrals, and definitely not crumpled linen. Tried tan bags and tan sandals/shoes, agree with pp who said brighter coloured shoes look better. And quite like my nails to be either bright blue/green or red, or usually black.

I have a question - how do I do the expensive look in the summer with big boobs? Loose tops or tees just make me look huge as they hang out from the boob area like a tent. So I wear fitted ones that actually show my waist but then I look like a barmaid in Hooters.

I also have a bug bum btw so I definitely need to be sucked in around my middle... I'm not overweight, 5ft 10, size 12, but I can't get my look right in the summer - winter just seems easier.

Ha I don't actually have a bug bum - but it is big

I’m with you BadTasteFlump. I think it’s a lot easier to look nice in summer if you have a smaller chest.

I think looking expensive is tied to your location. I live in the US, in an area which is genuinely hot for several months, but it’s a mountain region so the St Tropez linen and tan sandals look just seems out of place here. Even maxi dresses look a bit odd.

I tend to go for lightweight cropped trousers in technical fabrics. The top half is tricky as I feel t-shirts are scruffy, but it can be hard to find good quality tops that aren’t garish (not unusual to see a woman in a loud print, cold-shoulder, frilly top with bling, as an example). People here tend to be very casual, so evenings are easy with jeans and a lightweight cardi. So many people wear flip flops, which I hate, so I stick to sandals.

@stressed3000 I love the photos you posted upthread (on page 7)! Especially the first one - anyone know where I can get mid calf linen culottes and a cotton top like in the picture? Such a simple look but the individual pieces are hard to get right.

Uhohmummy

Thanks!

Those trousers are from here but they are a US brand & not sure if they have the exact ones still.
www.aritzia.com/en/clothing/pants?lastViewed=233

Re tanks I love that shape cause I need to hide big bra straps. I have a few from over the years from Uniqlo, French Connection & American Apparel.

Badtasteflimp am also of very large boobs and think i solved the problem last year with these vests from oasis . www.oasis-stores.com/gb/search?q=High%20back%20vest&page=1&hideFeatured=false they're called high back vests and mean you can have nice thick bra straps without showing. I have about 6 of them now and plan to buy more this summer. I wear them tucked losely into shorts or a skirt so i get a waist but they skim over my boobs so i don't look hooterish 😀

Following this thread with interest as my summer wardrobe needs help.
A pair of tan sandals are due to arrive today...
I agree that the camel neutrals look is very chic and expensive, but i don’t think it is the only way to look expensive- those colours would wash me out. I’ve never had my colours done, but pretty sure I’m a winter. I’m buying things that are red, navy, white, blue and pale grey for the summer (predominantly navy and white). I think tan looks really good with those colours, so not sure why the winters are avoiding tan accessories?

I love those vests tipsey I’m a 30J so have the same problem as flump and I’ll definitely be ordering some of those vests today!

I really need to sort my wardrobe out. That might be a job for this evening.

Those tops are great tipsy- I have a black one which is almost identical from wallis- it looks good tucked in or out and never creases.

Love this thread all, relieved to see that my 'dull and unadventurous' (thanks DM) colour palette of black, white, olive, grey seems to fit the bill here. I do often add a small pop of colour with nails, shoes or handbag but I love how everything just tends to work together.

For whoever asked upthread about gradual tanning, I swear by Palmers Natural Bronze spray. It smells lovely and is really moisturising and I have a golden glow 2-3 days after first use.

Shorts with belt loops and wear a narrow leather belt.
Even if you are wearing denim shorts, it looks more pulled together.
I do think a long sleeved linen or thin cotton shirt with the sleeves turned back to mid forearm looks smarter and is cooler than a t shirt or heaven forbid short sleeved shirt.

Tipsey I love those tops - thank you! Also love the fact that they're v-necked.

Peony I am also a Winter but have tan sandals and bags. Tan is a neutral that goes with anything, I think.

Stressed3000 I love those loose, grey cropped trousers in the 1st picture - and idea where they're from?

tipsy what's the sizing like on those vests, they look great! I'm a 34 DD/E and would usually wear a 10 or S in vanity sizing. I would like them to be a bit loose rather than tight so I can tuck them like you say.

@TipseyTorvey thanks so much for the tops link, they look perfect for my big boobs as well.

I live abroad somewhere warm all the time so I’ve found tan accessories look lovely but linen would probably be out of place here.

I’m currently pregnant, due next month but need a complete wardrobe overhaul if I’m honest and this thread is fab! I’ve never had my colors done either and I’m thinking maybe I should... jewel tones seem to suit me, beiges and blacks definitely wash me out.