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Original poster

Florida in summer - what to wear?

33 replies

NeedSomeTimeInTheSunshiiine · 07/02/2019 01:15

I'm a jeans and boots person... and I know Florida is pretty casual, so I'm not bothered about dressing up as such, but I look shit in shorts, and anything linen.

What can I wear so that I don't melt, but don't have to wear linen shorts? Grin

I'll be walking around a lot, doing 'the parks' and running round after kids...

OP posts:
GemmeFatale · 07/02/2019 01:19

A bikini?

It’s not so much the heat as the humidity that gets you.

Would you do dresses?

Or those super lightweight silk type material trousers?

RonaldMcDonald · 07/02/2019 01:37

I wear short shorts. I don’t think I ever wear linen..... I also wore v light fabric narrow trousers teamed with vest tops.
It is blardy humid but the parks aren’t as big or bad as everyone makes out

My sil wore those artsy all in one balloon trousers attached to a vest top things - like very cool looking playsuit. She looked great but I would have looked a tool
I saw lots of sports wear. Lots of cut off denim. Little dresses over cycling shorts.

kathryn77 · 07/02/2019 01:47

We went August 2016 and 2018. I wore non linen shorts (fat face chino ones and denim short ones) vest tops and skirts. I had several elasticated waist skirts which were short and floaty, which worked well (and for the dining plan). I am usually a boots and jeans girl, but didn’t wear any jeans for the entire holiday.
I also wore flip flops the entire time. I didn’t wear the usual Florida footwear recommended sketchers!

I hate to say it but anything goes. A lot of the American families all have matching t shirts and there is no normal clothes, whatever is comfortable and cool.

We went for 3 weeks and washed after 10 days as was so hot clothes were dirty after one outing.

Justagirlwholovesaboy · 07/02/2019 01:51

Sun cream, lots of it!!! :)

AuntieOxident · 07/02/2019 02:07

Everyone wears shorts, although they seem to be mostly made of cotton or cotton blends rather than linen IME. Or cutoffs/jean shorts.
Buy them when you arrive, there’s loads of choice in the outlet stores. They very cheap so you can pass them on if you’re not generally a shorts person at home.
I certainly am not, being shortish and dumpyish, but I bought some there as I could see people of all shapes and sizes wore them - they were very practical, fairly cool and, well, just right for the occasion.

Original poster
NeedSomeTimeInTheSunshiiine · 07/02/2019 13:55

I do actually own some shorts... I just don't want to be looking back at all my holiday pics and cringing over the state of my legs! Grin I like the idea of a playsuit type thing though...

I don't have any flip flops though. I basically require total concealment from the waist down, haha.

OP posts:
AuntieOxident · 07/02/2019 20:50

😄 Some fake tan applied a day or so before you set off?

ScottishDiblet · 07/02/2019 20:54

Please do NOT worry about your legs. You will be better off in shorts or skirts or dresses honestly. It’s so so hot. We went last summer. I am not slim but wore shorts from The Gap and t shirts every day and then short dresses for the evenings. People wear all sorts and no one will be looking at you. Go for comfort!

Ooplesandbanoonoos · 07/02/2019 21:00

I had issues with shorts and skirts due to thighs chafing Blush so depending on your shape long shorts (e.g. knee length) would be an idea and some canvas slip on pumps- I would suggest these as more stylish than trainers but better for walking in than flip flops.

LoniceraJaponica · 07/02/2019 21:09

"I like the idea of a playsuit type thing though.."

Not very practical in the public loos over there.

Just about everyone wears shorts regardless of their shape and size. I wore summer dresses, or a linen skirt/cotton shorts with loose cotton tops. The key is loose clothing. It makes a huge difference. I even found tight vest tops too warm. Footwearwise I wore Sketchers Go Walks or comfy walking sandals. It is very casual. Don't bother taking anything dressy. You could also take loose cropped trousers. Honestl, comfort in that heat and humidity is far more of a priority than what you will look like in photos.

MitziK · 07/02/2019 21:34

According to the OH, who was there last April;

Sunblock
Decent sunglasses
A hat
More sunblock
A loose fitting shirt
More sunblock
Loose fitting trousers
More sunblock
Shoes that lace up, so they can be loosened according to the heat/foot swelling
Did he mention sunblock?

Tequilamockinbird · 07/02/2019 21:37

Definitely long shorts, we were there in summer last year and the chub rub from short shorts and dresses was horrendous. I carried nappy rash cream in my bag for DD and I after day 2 Blush

Timetopostagain · 07/02/2019 22:32

Ive been to Florida in October/November and a few times in August. August is very hot and humid, you really do have to dress for comfort not style.

I'm not happy with my legs, but really didn't care when I was there, and to be honest there are so many people of all shapes and sizes I really don't think anyone was looking at me. My main aim was to avoid the sweaty look (insert embarrassed face!).

I did wear shorts, but my preferred clothes turned out to be knee length linen skirts from M&S and Next, and a few dresses that I got from H&M. One was a light t-shirt material which was fine, but I got a denim look one that was really loose, it was so comfortable. Anything which allows a breeze was good in my book.

Agree with needing a hat and sunglasses. Good suncream is a must - we used UltraSun, it didn't let us down.

Not sure if you've been to Florida before, I wasn't that fussed before my first visit, but I absolutely loved it, there is something for everyone. I hope you and your family have the best time.

Original poster
NeedSomeTimeInTheSunshiiine · 07/02/2019 23:18

Thank you Timetopost - I've never been, and really looking forward to it! (Apart from the heat Grin)

Lonicera... hadn't thought about the toilet situ - good call!

OP posts:
Shufflebumnessie · 08/02/2019 11:00

Take a couple of very light tops with cap sleeves, just to give your shoulders a break from the sun after a few days of wearing vest tops. I was very relieved to have packed some (as i thought I'd be living in vest tops and nearly didn't take them).

hammeringinmyhead · 08/02/2019 15:35

I wear dark denim shorts, a vest top over a bikini top, and trainers (proper ones from Nike or New Balance, not Converse).

Musicalstatues · 08/02/2019 16:01

I wear vest tops and denim or cotton shorts. Light cardigans for restaurants as usually the air con will be up pretty high.
Sports wear is another popular choice - there are always loads of Americans wearing work out gear. I thought it was really weird but then realised that of course it’s designed to deal with sweat!!
We don’t usually go in summer, but went in August a couple of years ago - the humidity was like nothing I’ve every experienced. You start sweating the second you open the door!

Musicalstatues · 08/02/2019 16:02

Forgot to say, Like the pp I’ve found on some days it was more comfortable to wear a bikini top than a bra.
Shoe wise I only ever wear flip flops.

Enjoy!

hammeringinmyhead · 08/02/2019 16:39

Absolutely - bikini top dries after water rides and doesn't feel sweaty!

Janeysmum · 08/02/2019 16:45

A light maxi dress and flip flops? Or yoga pants?

Delatron · 08/02/2019 17:03

You could wear loose, silky cargo type trousers with sandals?

Though you’ll feel fine in shorts, everyone wears them. It’s so humid and hot.

Original poster
NeedSomeTimeInTheSunshiiine · 10/02/2019 23:01

Yoga tops and bikinis as bras is genius for the sweat-wicking alone! I hadn't really considered the humidity... at least folks will be looking at my shit hair then, instead of my legs, "IT'S THE HUMIDITY!" Grin

OP posts:
TantricTwist · 10/02/2019 23:14

Just wear summer dresses

RomaineCalm · 10/02/2019 23:14

I had a couple of pairs of floaty, short cotton/linen shorts from Matalan last year. Fat Face also had some. Wore them with cotton t-shirts and vests - agree with others that something a bit looser is more comfortable.

Have a look at Merrill sandals - I'll see if I can find a link to mine - not too 'granny' but more comfortable for walking miles than flip flops and less sweaty than trainers.

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