Covered Up Summer Dressing

[laComtessede]

I'm looking for styling ideas for 'covered up' summer dressing. What do you wear in the summer if you don't want to show much bare skin?
I'm very fair and I used to apply fake tan and plenty of SPF. Now I have two tiny children and I really don't have the time or the energy for that .
I'm a curvy size 8 (I.e. boobs, hips and a small waist) and fitted structured clothes are what suit me.
Any suggestions for where I should look for stylish summer clothes?

Watching!

I wear linen blend trousers, and a teeshirt. So arms and face for creams.
All advances welcomed!

Loose fitting harem trousers? They are my go to for days when I don't want to get my legs out on hot summer days (usually because I haven't kept up-to-date with hair removal ). Also maxi dresses, or floaty midi-length skirts. You can buy all of that stuff probably anywhere on the high street really. Next might be a good idea.

Same here, I burn very easily and cannot understand why people say it feels cooler to leave bare flesh cooking in the sun. Plus I look better these days in clothes with a bit of structure - not necessarily tailored but fabrics that don't wilt.

I have a summer uniform of trousers with a silk shirt. I really like wide leg, ankle length trousers but also have some narrow leg. Much prefer cotton to linen or at least a cotton/linen mix.

A cotton or linen shirt will do the same job but silk hangs really nicely and it adds a bit of luxury to what is otherwise quite a utilitarian outfit. Plus it feels cooler and I find that the sweat dries straight away whereas cotton/linen get um ... soggy. I only buy them second hand: charity shop, vintage or weigh and pay sales. They're higher maintenance but (and it's not often I say this) I think they're worth it. I machine wash on delicate cycle in a pillow case and iron while damp.

I rarely wear sandals since burning my feet (not pleasant). Normally brogues or I buy a couple of pairs of canvas plimsolls and keep machine washing them until they're trashed.

I’m the same. My friends call me
Joan Collins in the summer as she was also know for keeping covered in sun. I tend to wear trousers rather than skirts or dresses (harem or linen) then a vest top with either a lightweight kimono jacket or linen shirt undone. I’m always on the look out for lightweight long sleeved top but I rarely find ones that suit.