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Original poster

Not looking a state on holiday.

117 replies

scarediecat · 08/03/2023 15:17

How can I look effortless on a hot and sunny holiday?

I saw some ladies last time I went and they just seemed to have it nailed perfectly with black, casual linen style dresses and flats. I however was in a bright pink halter neck, trainers and demin shorts. My hair goes a murky ginger in the sun and I'm fairly pale. Size 14 with weight on belly/hips.

I'm planning to fake tan and maybe put a brown dye on my hair.

Can I have some clothing tips/examples?
Thank you!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 19/03/2023 21:09

MrsOrange · 17/03/2023 08:58

Honestly I think that unless you're blessed with the right legs, shorts rarely look good. Despite living in a hot country, I don't own any shorts at all - I find short dresses look more flattering and tend to be cooler. However, if you want to wear them what I have learnt is longer styles of shorts tend to make legs look shorter so if you're wearing shorts then go short even if you don't like your legs. Size up to avoid them cutting into your legs when you sit down and usually pair them with an oversized shirt.

Agree with all this. Width is also crucial: unless you are slim and toned, avoid styles that taper or are too narrow.

atthebottomofthehill · 20/03/2023 12:57

Can I ask what those of you who are larger of bottom do re linen trousers? Every summer I desperately want some wafty loose linen or cotton trousers/crops and every year I try them and remember my arse looks horrendous in them.

Jean shorts are better as the material has structure but I don't always want to wear shorts and they're less comfy. Dresses yes but not always practical. Long jeans obviously too hot.

NevieSticks · 20/03/2023 12:59

atthebottomofthehill · 20/03/2023 12:57

Can I ask what those of you who are larger of bottom do re linen trousers? Every summer I desperately want some wafty loose linen or cotton trousers/crops and every year I try them and remember my arse looks horrendous in them.

Jean shorts are better as the material has structure but I don't always want to wear shorts and they're less comfy. Dresses yes but not always practical. Long jeans obviously too hot.

As you said a dress.

BigSkies2022 · 20/03/2023 18:26

Can I ask what those of you who are larger of bottom do re linen trousers?

Brutally - I lost weight (about a stone), did lots of arse and leg toning exercises and found everything looked better. So do that first.

Then, choose high-waisted trousers with some proper structure and stitching over the hips and stomach. If wide-legged waftiness is what you want, but you are not (like the majority of us) tall, and with lots of your height in the legs, the high waist and structure around the hips and stomach will balance out the wide leg, help smooth out the arse situation and give you a smaller waist and longer legs. Cos do this shape well, and I've seen (but not yet tried) some good-looking linen ones on Everlane. Avoid the paperbag/tie-waist sort of situation - gives you no support in the bits that matter.

Rina66 · 20/03/2023 19:08

Try linen palazzos with a deep smocked waist, they're brilliant.

CharlotteMullen · 20/03/2023 19:17

MrsOrange · 17/03/2023 08:58

Honestly I think that unless you're blessed with the right legs, shorts rarely look good. Despite living in a hot country, I don't own any shorts at all - I find short dresses look more flattering and tend to be cooler. However, if you want to wear them what I have learnt is longer styles of shorts tend to make legs look shorter so if you're wearing shorts then go short even if you don't like your legs. Size up to avoid them cutting into your legs when you sit down and usually pair them with an oversized shirt.

I never wear them, and didn’t when I lived in a very hot climate. They’re not going to help you stay cool, and they rarely look good.

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 20/03/2023 21:12

BigSkies2022 · 20/03/2023 18:26

Can I ask what those of you who are larger of bottom do re linen trousers?

Brutally - I lost weight (about a stone), did lots of arse and leg toning exercises and found everything looked better. So do that first.

Then, choose high-waisted trousers with some proper structure and stitching over the hips and stomach. If wide-legged waftiness is what you want, but you are not (like the majority of us) tall, and with lots of your height in the legs, the high waist and structure around the hips and stomach will balance out the wide leg, help smooth out the arse situation and give you a smaller waist and longer legs. Cos do this shape well, and I've seen (but not yet tried) some good-looking linen ones on Everlane. Avoid the paperbag/tie-waist sort of situation - gives you no support in the bits that matter.

Good advice. The alternative is to size up and wear them as hipsters. This breaks up the bottom, visually.

userxx · 22/03/2023 19:34

Rina66 · 20/03/2023 19:08

Try linen palazzos with a deep smocked waist, they're brilliant.

Got any links ?

Graphdesign · 27/03/2023 19:21

also similar to this, better when I have light fake tan

Not looking a state on holiday.
Highdaysandholidays1 · 27/03/2023 20:08

For those who love being pale, great, good for you, I still have flashbacks to being called milkbottle legs all the time at school, so I do like a very light fake tan, I use Garnier Summer Body as it's a moisturiser with a little bit of fake tan and I only use it once and then leave it for days. I don't glow orange and everyone says 'ooh you look well' and I say nothing.

I probably don't objectively look better with it, but just that very light not blue legs look gives me so much confidence, so instead of trying to cover everything up, I'm happy to get it all out!

That's my trick anyway, plus that and the old camel/beige, black, white, cream palette.

Highdaysandholidays1 · 27/03/2023 20:11

One query I do have though is I love the thought of big sunglasses covering up the wrinkles, but I need glasses. I'm always amazed how many people on here don't seem to need glasses if the sunglasses wearers are all true, because I see so many people of my age (50's) wearing glasses...do you just not read or see anything on holiday or am I missing something (can't wear contacts anymore).

minidancer · 27/03/2023 20:18

You can get prescription sunglasses. Buy the frames from anywhere and get your own lenses put in

Highdaysandholidays1 · 27/03/2023 20:22

I don't know if they do them in my prescription- it's a complex one, quite severe (-9, -11, astigmatism). It costs 100's for the lenses alone and they are so thick. I have a feeling when I last looked into it it was through a standard optician and I didn't qualify for the second pair, but if anyone knows of a good company/option for that, I'd love to hear it.

StrawHatOnTheParcelShelf · 28/03/2023 03:28

I wear contacts, don't know if that's possible with your script?

You could go for a cheapo online seller like Zenni?

I don't know if your script allows for this but if you just need beach/holiday sunnies are there some components of your script that wouldn't be needed, to reduce costs? (e.g. I am shortsighted with astigmatism but could get by without correcting the latter if I'm not going to be working or driving.)

atthebottomofthehill · 28/03/2023 06:38

Highdaysandholidays1 · 27/03/2023 20:22

I don't know if they do them in my prescription- it's a complex one, quite severe (-9, -11, astigmatism). It costs 100's for the lenses alone and they are so thick. I have a feeling when I last looked into it it was through a standard optician and I didn't qualify for the second pair, but if anyone knows of a good company/option for that, I'd love to hear it.

Do you get the thinning treatment on the lenses? But yes even then they'll be quite big lenses. I don't think there's a brilliant solution to be honest, I would still invest in some prescprtion sunglasses but you might not be able to get the coolest looking frames. If you haven't looked into laser surgery then I highly recommend it. Changed my life.

Ohchristmastreeohchristmastree · 28/03/2023 06:50

I love linen skirts and vest tops as well as dresses. And an oversized linen/cotton shirt as a coverup too.

I also shower and wash my hair before dinner each night. Makes a massive difference to how I look, especially if I’ve been at the beach swimming.

Bookist · 28/03/2023 14:48

Before I go on holiday I treat myself to an eyelash tint, full wax and pedicure in a classic red. I wear bikinis and kaftans in various shades of pink and gold leather flip flops from Ancient Greek, my beach bag is a huge straw one. My sunnies are oversized cats eye frames from Chanel, I always get complimented on them and they must be 12 years old. Evenings I only ever wear dresses, either maxi or mini but always loose and not fitted, and typically black with tan leather sandals from Anthropologie. I accessorize with big gold hoops and a small neutral woven bag from The Sak.

ThePurpleOctopus · 28/03/2023 19:42

@GoldenCagedBird

Where printed- they are also ‘interesting’ prints if that makes sense. A tie dye, gold threads, paisley - not the striped, polka dot or ditsy floral that I would have panic grabbed from New Look pre holiday, pre epiphany.

I read this yesterday and cringed at myself for just how accurate this is for me. I'm off to a Greek island next week and my expired express delivery from New Look will (should) arrive tomorrow. And it will include some stripes and ditsy prints Grin.

I'm feeling more relaxed about it today. I have young kids and holiday clothes are mostly practical right now. But I aspire to something more one day!

NevieSticks · 28/03/2023 20:22

Bookist · 28/03/2023 14:48

Before I go on holiday I treat myself to an eyelash tint, full wax and pedicure in a classic red. I wear bikinis and kaftans in various shades of pink and gold leather flip flops from Ancient Greek, my beach bag is a huge straw one. My sunnies are oversized cats eye frames from Chanel, I always get complimented on them and they must be 12 years old. Evenings I only ever wear dresses, either maxi or mini but always loose and not fitted, and typically black with tan leather sandals from Anthropologie. I accessorize with big gold hoops and a small neutral woven bag from The Sak.

Welcome, Gemma 😀

itsmeagainagain · 28/03/2023 20:31

ThePurpleOctopus · 28/03/2023 19:42

@GoldenCagedBird

Where printed- they are also ‘interesting’ prints if that makes sense. A tie dye, gold threads, paisley - not the striped, polka dot or ditsy floral that I would have panic grabbed from New Look pre holiday, pre epiphany.

I read this yesterday and cringed at myself for just how accurate this is for me. I'm off to a Greek island next week and my expired express delivery from New Look will (should) arrive tomorrow. And it will include some stripes and ditsy prints Grin.

I'm feeling more relaxed about it today. I have young kids and holiday clothes are mostly practical right now. But I aspire to something more one day!

@ThePurpleOctopus I'm sure they will be lovely - why don't you post some pics when your order arrives? I ordered a black and white spotty jumpsuit from New Look just before my holiday last year and I wore it TO DEATH all summer. It was so easy to throw on and dress up or down

Rina66 · 31/03/2023 14:58

@userxx these are my trousers, they also come in linen....I've been wearing them for years, higher on my waist with trainers or Birkenstocks and lower on my hips with heels. The deep smocked waist is great as it doesn't dig in anywhere.

https://manamou.co.uk/products/palazzo-trousers-black?pos=1&&sid=5ccf70cf7&ss=r

xogossipgirlxo · 31/03/2023 15:24

NevieSticks · 28/03/2023 20:22

Welcome, Gemma 😀

Show quote history

Who is Gemma? I think I missed something😂

Courgeon · 31/03/2023 15:44

amershamfc · 16/03/2023 19:03

How do you look good in shorts? I can never get them looking right.

That's because they rarely look good. I've never worn them, am size 10 now with long slim legs and have at times have been slimmer with shapelier legs but still didn't wear them then. They are frumpy, aging and unflattering whatever the style. I go for loose cotton dresses, Palazzo's, skirts, linen tops and vintagey style tea dresses in summer. I struggle with summer dressing now I'm older though. I feel pale, pouchy and untoned and have gone off strappy tops because of the dreaded armpit overhang. I also swell up in the heat and get serious bloat despite being slim. Not a massive fan of summer... Prefer now... springtime looks.