How to look stylish in hot weather

[WaterWall22]

Hello Stylish Mumsnetters

Planning a holiday later this spring, and the daytime temps would probably be around 25-30.
I like being active and walking around, but have no idea what to wear to look reasonably smart.
Linen is always suggested, but I hate how it creases.
I also usually wear cross-body bags but they often look terrible based on the pictures I've seen of myself. I just don't know what else would be secure and relatively comfortable when walking.
Any ideas?
I'm late middle-age, slim, but short.

If you have bulky stuff, put it in a backpack and use a small slim crossbody bag for your phone, hotel room key, some coins, ID.

If you are carrying around bulky stuff, ask yourself if it’s essential (it will make you hotter and look less chic). Otherwise just have a tote with your water bottle in and then if you need to buy something you have space in the tote.

Don’t wear fussy clothes like maxi dresses. Make sure you have shoes you can walk in and sunscreen and a good hat.

Stick to minimal makeup especially during the day.

Your hotel room will have an iron so you can use that to make sure shirts or dresses are presentable after the flight.

Try to stay hydrated and to eat light meals as that will also help you feel your best.

Have a great trip!

@NicolaCasanova really sensible advice, thank you!

Go for stylish, classic colours - navy, cream, white, black, muted pink, light blue, olive, tan, red if it suits you Avoid garishness. Think classic Chanel.
For patterns, opt for subtle stripes or geometrics. Avoid garish florals.

Get a pair of nice sunglasses. Wear a metal bracelet. Get a floaty scarf in a solid colour.

Footwear/ sandals - white, tan, red, gold, black if strappy/ clunky sandals.

Bag on back is an option if crossbows doesn't work for you. Be careful about thieves though.

Linen screams tourist. I'd only wear it on a beach. Cotton and cotton/poly mixes are practical and comfortable.

Get a good pedicure before you leave and pick a smart colour for your toenails.

Crossbows, lol
Cross body...

Loose clothing that covers your upper arms

Preferably knee length cotton dresses, with sleeves

Wear loose, well cut clothes in woven (not knit) cotton or linen. Leather or natural fibre sandals

Maintain hydration by drinking plenty of water, eat high quantities of fruit & veg, avoid carbs and spirits.

Leave off make-up and carry a lightweight bag. Wear sun block to protect your skin.

And slow down. No need to rush on your holiday.

I like the ideas for accessories - I'm rubbish with those. Glad you agree with me on linen.
A crossbow does sound tempting too!! 😁

Could be useful depending on where you are going 😂

I am also short and slim.

I'd wear a simple straw hat and very comfortable sandals. Fabric shoulder tote bag to carry essentials, sunglasses, a small umbrella and cardigan if it gets cold in the evenings.

Don't like linen. Midi and maxi light cotton or jersey dresses work for me that float as you walk or end just below the knee. Nothing tight or body hugging.

As I am middle aged, I prefer plain colours with simple accessories, though can be partial to a print or two.

Tbh I buy almost all my summer clothes from Boden.

Decent SPF for face, hat and lipstick. Always.

And sunglasses, obviously!

I would rather be creased and cool in linen than hot and uncreased in something else. I guess cotton is your next best option, but linen really is good for hot days. It's going to be 30oC here tomorrow and I will definitely be throwing on a loose linen dress.

Oh gosh I'm the opposite of all this advice with my spirit filled cocktail, floral maxi dress and holiday carb fest

I live in a tropical mostly tourist country, and what screams tourists are, backpack of any kind, trainers and shorts.

It really depends on where your going, say Spain , t shirts and shorts are common, but not so in many other hotter places.

I live in linen and cotton, linen is not made all the same the cheaper stuff looks like a rag very quick. It's good to keep you cool as does a cotton/linen mix.

Same with cross body bags depends on what your wanting to fill it with, you can get some very smart woven cross body's (raffia, and the like)

Birkenstock s are my go too light tan will go with everything, or bronze/silver/gold flats.

High SPF coverage for you face either in make up or sunscreen is essential IMO.

Today its around 32, will get hotter later (that's like!) I have a long linen dress, birkenstocks and a woven crossbows bag (and cotton rub shorts underneath) hardly a crease!

In summer I wear vests and smart tailored nicely fitted shorts ..

Nothing else will do for me if it's hot I can't bear any clothing on me .

Last year I discovered the joy of skorts. This one in particular - the "shorts" are cotton and not clingy.

https://www.thesafaristore.com/en/products/serengeti-safari-skorts-for-women?colour=881

Loving how autocorrect is adamant that the OP shall have a crossbow 😄

I lived in Latin America for a couple of years, mostly Panama which is VERY hot.

I lived in natural fibres; good quality and very light linen, cotton and silk. Never ever ever polyester.

A good quality pair of white shorts, a plain skirt, a couple of silk shirts. T-shirts for more casual days. Floaty dresses in light cotton.

One of my go-to looks is quality cuffed white shorts with blue and white striped shirt.

I bought 3 silk shirts with collars from Lily Silk, they last forever, you can really dress up anything with them and they're so light and breatheable.

As for a bag, as a tourist I'd put cash / cards into a waist belt underneath my skirt / shorts, then hold a tote with necessary things like water, tissues, stuff that doesn't matter if it's stolen.

Hat, sunscreen.

I always wear makeup and it is harder in the tropical heat. My skin is also oily. I lived with oil blotting papers always handy. I also applied loose translucent powder with a dry sponge, carefully pressing it in all over, to set. Brushing off excess after a few minutes. This made my makeup last longer and I got oily less quickly.

I've found a proper tubing mascara a game changer. Normal mascara runs and my oily skin made even waterproof mascara smudge. Tubing mascara never smudges or runs and it's so easy to remove.

I was thinking of getting a proper lash tint before to avoid smudgy mascara!