Help me enjoy summer clothing!

[Fishfingersandwich3]

The weather has been beautiful this weekend and it’s reminded me how much I disliked dressing in the hot summer last year! My favourite clothing is for autumn and winter... I love black, grey, khaki and burgundy and dressing in layers. Oh and boots! I also prefer thicker fabrics and a bit of structure. How on earth do I translate this into clothes I like for summer? Has anyone else mastered it?

I’ve realised that normally in the summer I just try to survive the few sunny weekends in my Hush ruched black skirk with a t-shirt but if these long hot summers are going to continue then I need a better approach. I normally don’t spend much money on clothes for summer but this year I’m willing to invest.

Help me wise S&B mumsnetters!

You need a uniform. Work out if you feel most comfortable style-wise in dresses/skirts/trousers/shorts/vest tops/t shirts etc and then hunt for those in a variety of colours that will mix and match.

I like dresses because it's "one and done" but I need to wear a good bra, so summer dresses for me must have straps in the right place to conceal bra straps. Midi dresses are good for being summery but not feeling too exposed.

If you wear jeans a lot in winter then it's easy to translate that to cargo trousers or chambray trousers.

Buy summer sandals in a few colours - I usually get a couple of neutrals and gold or silver. If you walk a lot (school run or whatever) then get ones that tie on your feet well - both sliders and thin tie-ups equally annoying for walking comfort. I like Saltwater sandals or similar.

Thank you both! Interesting you have both mentioned underwear as most of mine is in dark colours (as it works with the rest of my wardrobe) and the few nude bras I have are uncomfortable which puts me off light coloured tops. I shall start there!

I also love the idea of a uniform. I absolutely have that for cold weather dressing and makes it so easy to change small things. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head as I currently feel I’m starting from scratch every time I have to put on summer clothes and it’s so hit and miss!

I don't get on with summer clothing for reasons to do with both vanity and health. My uniform for the last couple of years has been ankle length trousers - I have several shapes but I particularly like wide leg - and a silk shirt. The silk part is optional but I only buy them second hand so they rarely cost more than a five or six quid. It adds a touch of luxury that lifts the outfit out of the purely functional and really helps when I'm wearing something similar day in day out. (I also find silk good for keeping cool as the sweat dries quickly so it doesn't go clammy like cotton or linen.) On my feet I usually wear brogues or plimsols.

I can dress it up or down very easily so it's suitable for most occasions. Obviously you might not like that particular look for yourself but I think it's about finding something that works for you.

Wide leg culotte jumpsuits are good if you like structure. I have a sleeveless above-knee- length dress (sort of Mary quant style but it’s not short on me because I’m short) which did very well for work last year in the heat. Also boxy cropped short-sleeved shirts in bright colours, worn with culottes or high-waisted trousers that leave ankles bare.

Thanks for all the ideas, am hitting the online shops now!

I have a similar approach to floisme. Like yourself OP I find summer dressing a problem, and prefer the winter because of it. For years I had a conflict about what I really wanted to wear (fantasy world) and what I realistically could. I finally decided to wear what made the best of my shape with the comfort factor too. As I'm not as slim as I was I wear longer tops/cardigans over ankle length trousers.

In summer I wear a dress most days as I find it easier than separates.

I do have to wear cycle shorts underneath though as currently overweight

If not a dress then Jaeger black culottes, or M&S Cropped black trousers or ankle grazer jeans with Gazelles or Birkenstocks. If at work I wear black ballerinas or a pair of Old Faithful Cos sandals with a block heel.

I never wear anything sleeveless as my upper arms are too lumpy for human consumption.

Watching .....

I tend to wear leggings an jeggings (I don't like anything too tight round my stomach) but these are too warm for Summer .

I bought myself some of the wide legged pull on trousers that have the tiny pleats (Primark) , I had some last year and loved them (unfortunately they caught on something and got a massive pull/hole )

I have some longer length tops that are shaped sleeved but still enough to cover my bra.
Not a fan of strapless or spaghetti straps.

I am looking at the M&S TShirt dresses . Providing they look like a dress and not just a XXL Tshirt . Otherwise it might be H&M , they do dresses with pockets that are nice.
I bought some Clarks sandles in navy, pink and black so that covers all the bases. On holiday , I buy a couple of pairs of Primark flip flops but they're useless to drive in .

Luckily at work I don;t need to worry , I wear a Uniform so its always the same .

I have the opposite problem - I never know what to wear in winter. Sorry I know that's not helpful to you though!

Following. Last year there were a few helpful threads but I’ve already forgotten what I learned and I lost a bit of weight since last year so nothing fits. I feel like I need to start again and invest in basics - but what even are ‘summer basics’? If you find anything good OP please share!!

Basics for me are:

• wide leg linen trousers in 2-3 neutral colours
• nice sandals/summer shoes that go with the trousers
• 2-3 linen dresses
• 4-5 fitted tshirts/tops
• 1-2 cardigans/casual jacket

I agree with the above advice, especially having a ‘uniform’. You don’t need tons of stuff. My tips are:

• wear natural fibres, including cotton underwear (though it’s hard to find cotton nude colour bras).
• use a summer handbag, especially if you carry a big bag around, as leather (or even worse, synthetic), can be hot.
• don’t feel you have to show loads of skin. Loose, cool natural fibres are much more comfortable and stylish. Shirts (as floisme says) are good. It also means you don’t have to slather practically your whole body in spf every day.
• personally I find one pair of Birkenstocks is enough for everyday wear, if that’s your sort of style. They’re comfy, hardwearing, go with everything, and are classic.
• get a pedicure or do one yourself and keep it looking good. I stick with one polish colour to save money and faffing.
• a straw hat in a classic style is very handy to have.
• keep a fan in your bag.

This year, M&S have a good range of linen trousers - I’m not usually much of an M&S fan but they might be worth a look. I avoid linen on my top half as it looks like a wrung-out tea towel after about half an hour, but I am a very sweaty person!

I’m rather the opposite @NiteFlights, I can cope with a linen shirt but look dreadful in linen trousers for some reason. I’m still working out my uniform.. but I have just picked up a pair of chalk mint Velvet jeans on eBay for a tenner, so that’s a start!

@TheWombat I really hope my trousers are going to look elegant this summer!

Stick with the same colours, in my opinion. Get some statement, minimalist dresses in khaki, charcoal and black. Go for heavy cottons and linens. Wear with minimal accessories and expensive/looking leather sandals. Such a clean, modern, beautiful summer look.

I come into my own in summer

I wear linen blend rather than pure linen because it "works" like linen but doesn't crease to buggery like linen does.

So generally for me in summer, it's capri or linen trousers and shell tops or swing tops - some with short sleeves, some sleeveless but never strappy (for work, anyway).

I also have a few summer skirts which I'll wear with a quality t-shirt or a proverbially "crisp" white (sleeveless in this case) blouse or short-sleeved thin knits.

I also have some some work dresses but I think I'm going off most of them.

I'm a bit of an Imelda, so shoes or sandals will depend on the outfit I'm wearing that day.

Kitty you are right. Last year on holiday I spotted this group of tres chic French women by the pool. All the British women were wearing floral viscose and the Mesdames were in black harem pants, khaki linen and black t shirts with straw bags and Menorcan sandals. Hair clipped back with tortoiseshell barrettes. They looked so chic next to the perspiring pink English roses..

I do have Menorcan sandals and oh my they are comfy, but they are glittery gold. Which on reflection isn’t really ‘minimalist summer uniform’, is it.. .. . I think I need to learn how to ‘do summer’ in general..

Those of you that have it sussed - can I ask where you shop or what you google? I don’t have a massive budget so I want to spend wisely. I’m mid 30s and conscious that I can look frumpy very easily for some reason!

Also, you're in luck this year OP- all the shops are full of khaki, and muted tones this summer.

Watching too - I much prefer winter dressing too! Hate being hot but don't like much flesh on show!

Watching with interest.
@MaryLennoxsScowl Can you tell me the brand of the Mary Quant style dress please? I'm looking for a summer 'uniform' for work.

@BambooWhoosh it’s Marc Jacobs, but I got it in a charity shop so no idea how old it is. It gives the impression of being straight up and down but actually has darts in the back to help it follow your shape.
www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjqk8jDuubhAhWKz4UKHfJZDMAQjhx6BAgBEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F416020084322296683%2F&psig=AOvVaw0jznUaouDadzaYxP8u_xGU&ust=1556117163302714 Don’t know if the link will work but this kind of shape.