How to look more 'glam' in the summer?

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

It often strikes me when we're on holiday that some people manage to look effortlessly glam even when it's hot & we're sightseeing (rather than dressing up for dinner).

I've been trying to capture what it is about them that makes me think 'glam' - in the hope that I might replicate (appreciate it won't be 'effortless'!)

I've come up with;
Sunglasses (which I only wear when reading in bright sunshine)
Decent bags (not the ancient rucksack I drag with me)
Jewellery (beyond the one pair or earrings and gold chain i normally have with me)
Jackets (although when it's really hot I'd rather be cool).

Any other thoughts?

What shorts show your vulva?

Only cycling ones come to mind

Haha haha I'm well over 25 and I look cracking in a pair of shorts. Such nonsense!

I think wide trousers with just the right weight that hang perfectly and move beautifully are it - I can never find them though! Will keep trying….

Kaftans and long sleeve shirts in cotton or linen are much better to prevent looking a sweaty mess than a 'scrap of material' , like spaghetti straps in Jersey material, even if cotton, that sticks to your back. A flowy shirt will allow the air to circulate as you move keeping you cool.

Absolutely. Loose cotton or linen that lets the air circulate and wicks off moisture is the best way to combat the heat. If you observe how Middle Eastern/south East Indian people dress, they cover themselves in loose clothing.

It’s virtually impossible to look glam in the summer if you are a typical Brit - very pale skin which goes red as soon as you get a bit hot, then the makeup you’ve put on to cover the redness slicks on your face when mixed with sweat.
not to mention the slightly matronly boobs and prone to frizz hair.
i do have nice tan sandals and bag though, so I can kid myself that I look glamorous.

I live in Italy, our summers are hot and humid. Elegant locals tend to wear silk, linen or cotton in timeless floaty styles - shirts and wide leg trousers, shift dresses, simple midi or maxi sundresses (nothing puffy). Block colours or simple prints, nothing too garish or tropical, no jersey. Big sunglasses, hair well groomed but usually tied back in simple styles, classic jewellery. People are still obsessed with tanning.

Locals aren’t generally traipsing around all day working up a sweat so they don’t need comfy footwear, rucksacks, sun hats and so on. They drive everywhere, work and live in cool old buildings with the shutters closed or offices with air-con, and they don’t go out for a walk until it’s cool and they’ve showered and changed into clean pressed/steamed clothes. This is a big factor in looking put together, IMO.

Very useful posts. Now I want linen trousers and some decent leather bag.

Also, I found out that I should not wear shorts being 29yo 😆

This is a great blog and her Instagram is good too. Simple shapes, good quality, neutrals. Interesting accessories.

blog.natalieborton.com/tag/summer-capsule/

So far this year we've been to the Caribbean, Italy and the South of France. I packed the same holiday wardrobe each time.

For daytime:
Oversized sunglasses.
Lots of just above the knee, simple cotton dresses in blue, white or khaki (Topshop, H&M, Gap).
Tan, suede hobo bag from Jigsaw.
Tan leather sandals from Ancient Greek or Adidas tubular trainers in cream.
Real gold huggie hoop earrings.
Wristful of stacked gold bracelets from Bella Jane.

Evenings:
Lots of floaty maxi dresses in black, taupe or olive green (Oliver Bonas, Zara).
Glamorous gold drop earrings from Zara.
Same gold Bella Jane bracelets.
Gold gladiator sandals (Boden) or flat, black leather sliders (Zara).
Small, gold beaded clutch I picked up on holiday in Greece years ago.

All very simple shapes. All very comfortable and cool. Feet never hurt. Minimum makeup of lip tint, concealer and bronzer because my brows are microbladed now (thanks menopause) and my lashes are tinted and permed.

See soooooooo many women plastered in make up that's rapidly sliding down to their collar bones. Hobbling along in shoes that clearly hurt and constantly twitching and plucking at clothes that are too tight, too short, too bulky or too hot.

They look like miserable Hottentots.

It's just that gold tends to look great with tanned skin and summer often means tanned skin. Silver doesn't stand out so much on golden skin

I agree with this. I wear gold in Summer and silver in Winter.

I’ve also found that dresses which have either a great pattern, are white or bold colours, and are good if you are not so confident about all of your body. It creates more of a unified look. And showing off a lot one part of your body only… like say legs with a short dress or arms with a long dress, but not both.

Shorts and heels - oh god no!

Your clothes sound very nice.

Please could you not use the word 'hottentot'?

In many places it is considered a racist term with a really negative history.

I had only really heard of it in relation to Saartje Baartman, the 'hottentot venus', which was an incredibly upsetting story.
I was surprised to see it used here in this way.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hottentot_(racial_term)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Baartman

I tend to wear an old khaki hat and not look that good. One thing I have noticed this summer is that women wearing proper sun hats, especially those with a wider brim and made of panama hat type material do look very glamorous.

@hattie43

do you have a tote that you would recommend?

@TheDarrellRivers

I love my Amanda Wakeley tote but there are some lovely ones around .

@hattie43 thanks I'll take a look.

I am so sorry, I can't apologise enough. I have obviously confused what I thought a Hottentot was (notoriously over dressed Georgian dandies a la Beau Brummel).

Gunt?
Hottentot?
What is this thread?

Just saw your apology@peaceandove .

To stick to your questions, I think for me I look glam during the day, on holiday, in a hot place if:

• I wear sunglasses


• I wear colours that suit me (mostly white, light brown, blue or black)


• I wear clothes that are cotton or linen


• I wear a just one 'large' item i.e. an oversized top with shorts or a stretchy top with large trousers


• My bag matches my sandals (no flip flops)


• I tame my hair, wear polish on my toes and some discreet jewelry

I’m 53 and love my shorts.
I wear them for young me who was embarrassed at blue white legs, for women who aren’t allowed to wear them for cultural reasons, or like the op think over 25 year olds shouldn’t wear them and because I bloody can because I reject the age and body shaming narrative
Here’s my latest positively taliban length for me.

Agree. I look hot as fuck In shorts. Sorry. I’m over 50