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!

I also hate summer clothes. I was pregnant in the heatwave last year so lived in a black maxi dress from Sainsburys, Hush joggers and a vest, and 2 maternity dresses but chub rub was an issue. I'm now a stone lighter than before I got pregnant so I have absolutely nothing that fits. Today I'm in a black nursing vest and patterned Next trousers that are too big!

I'm going to be buying shirt dresses, patterned floaty wide leg trousers, some navy chinos to wear rolled with sandals (rose gold Saltwaters and some black ones both from last summer). But I hate spending on this stuff so I'm looking at Matalan budget...

I have a summer uniform. Black, charcoal, navy or muted pink linen mix dresses. Slightly A-Line with v neck and short sleeves.

Comfortable tan, or pewter leather wedge sandals with low heel.

Small straw basket handbag.

Sterling silver anklet and simple boho bangle.

Feet always pedicured.

Probably sounds dull but it works for me.

Thanks Mary. The link works! I recognise the style you mean.

A rather glamorous friend broke it down for me like this...I've found it helpful;

Start off gradually with 1 or 2 outfits, and keep out 2 nice versatile jumpers to add if the weather is on the chillier side.

Rolled up lightweight trousers with a t-shirt tucked in and sandals

Long skirt with vest and fabric scarf and flip flops

Linen trousers / jumpsuit with trainers

Then go as bare as you dare as the weather gets and stays warmer. I have a couple of longer summer dresses and a few pairs of shorts but I seem to put off wearing these until August time. Anything before seems too soon! I do envy these well put together people who always seem to know what to wear whatever the conditions.

@BlackCatsRule88 I guess it depends on body shape and budget, but my summer stuff is mainly from Gap, eBay (Hobbs, LK Bennett, Toast), charity/secondhand shops, and I get cotton T-shirts mainly from M&S and Primark (I don’t treat the Primark ones as disposable). I always wear Birkenstocks for everyday, and also have three pairs of smart sandals from Hobbs and Jigsaw which are a few years old now but classic and good quality. If I was richer I’d get more from Toast.

@millythepink where do you get your linen dresses please?
I am so impressed with everyone’s stylishness. It all sounds so ultra chic.

I am making a John Lewis wish list (for dreams, not reality!!). So far, it has a wrap dress, a couple of cami tops and I am looking for trousers. Thanks for the inspiration everyone!

Thank you @niteflights. Hopefully I won’t be bidding against you for anything on eBay!

I’m in Scotland, so summers tend not to be really hot - last year was the exception!

I have variations on a uniform, which are:

Midi-dress
Cropped wide-leg trousers/culottes, tucked in, fitted t-shirt
Midi-skirt, t-shirt as above
Black dungarees, striped top, or chambray shirt

I tend to wear trainers (I have loads) or brogues, but I do have Saltwaters which I actually find quite uncomfortable, and some really cheap flip-flops for knocking about at home or in the garden.

I don’t like prints other than stripes, polka dots, or leopard print - floral or ditsy prints look horrible on me. For t-shirts I like a style Warehouse do called “the smart fit t-shirt” which comes in loads of colours, plus Cos cotton t-shirts - both are about £15. I know MN hates this, but I also like a slogan tee. Midi-skirts I have from Zara, Oliver Bonas, Topshop, and Whistles, and I like Cos and Topshop for culottes/trousers. I have a dark denim jacket, and a pale oversized one, both from Topshop, which both work with pretty much everything.

I teach so am off most of the summer, and even at work am in a creative subject so don’t need to be smart-smart - I think that is much harder in summer!

Last year on holiday I spotted this group of tres chic French women by the pool

You say that but I was in Evian (on Lake Geneva) with my sister and this exquisitely stylish woman came sauntering past. I commented to my sister about how effortlessly chic French women are and then this woman started talking to her companion... in estuary English. She should be on the Parisiennes thread. And having said that, I always get asked for directions when I'm in Paris. To be fair last time I was wearing a beret!

This thread inspired me to look for linen dresses today and I have ordered this Boden wrap dress to try. It’s a linen blend so might help me avoid looking too crumpled. We’ll see. I thought it’d look v cute with those espadrilles wedges that are everywhere at the mo..

OMG @StCharlotte can you remember what Exquisitely Stylish Woman was wearing?

@theWombat, don't laugh but Next do a very flatteringly cut, v-neck, sleeveless linen dress if you want something on a budget. I also have several linen dresses from St Tropez (the French brand not the resort) that are beautifully soft linen.

Milly I will most definitely not laugh that sounds perfect and much better for my budget! Thank you 😊

TheWombat Even though it was about 15 years ago I actually can! A chambray skirt, a slouchy cotton sweater in pale blue and tan flat sandals. Very swishy blonde hair. Expensive looking. Was it you?!

Don't know if it would work now though!