Anyone else really struggle with summer wardrobe?

[SugarPlumpFairyCakes]

Every year, I look at my wardrobe and know I'm going to look shit. I'm 6ft tall and it all looks uncomfortable and fits badly and I don't know where to look for decent stuff that doesn't a fortune.

Yes somehow I always manage the colder months fine and then it all falls apart in the summer!

I have the opposite height issue to you I’m 5ft, so lots of stuff drowns me.

I’ve done a couple of shopping trips recently - my technique is to pick things I’d never usually wear (as well as my usual fave styles) and try everything on, then take the strongest contenders home and try them with the rest of my wardrobe so I know I can make outfits. Most stuff goes back but I end up with a few good new additions.

Recently I have found some decent things in Next, H&M, White Stuff (petite), M&S - I’m fussy about natural fabrics so that does limit choice a bit.

Yes I dress like its winter all year round. My ankles and legs have taken to swelling up enormously. I look like I have tree trunks instead of legs so all my nice cropped trousers are now out. Paid a lot of money for them too. Gutted

When M&S say tall, it's not tall enough.

I always get so so disappointed with what's on offer and hate getting into a sweat in changing rooms.

Also shoes in summer.

I find summer easier, but I live in tops and skirts and I prefer sandals to shoes.

Do you like dresses? They're a whole outfit, no need to pair tops and bottoms, and they look smart with no effort.

Yep! I always get anxiety about what to wear in the summer. A lot of it is probably down to body confidence issues, pale skin etc, but some of it is just not being a great shape for a lot of summer clothes to flatter me.

This year I'm pregnant so it's even worse than usual!

I do like dresses but the waistline is always up under my bust so I am always wriggling and shrugging. Like the first time you wear a bra as a youngster.

I got such ugly feet I would never show them.

What I struggle with is what to wear to the office in the summer - the aircon means I can't wear normal summer clothes but then it's sweltering on the tube home

I look okay in hot weather and cold weather, I have those down to a style. It's the spring weather clothes I struggle with. When it's too hot for jumpers and tights but too cold for bare legs. I either end up sweating or freezing.

This makes me think it's not about summer dressing, but about finding the shops for your height and preferred fit? My preference is for midi loose fit, woven cotton. That style doesn't cling at all.

What is your style? Maybe some loose cotton or linen wafty trousers and tops could be a summer option?

Yes! This is really challenging.

Culottes might look nice on you, have you tried any? I’m wearing some right now, they’re White Company, bought them in the sales a couple of winters ago.

On tall people I always culottes look like they bought the wrong size.

😂 I’m 5 foot 8

I've decided this year that wide leg trousers are going to be my friend. I'm 5'10" and Next long are long enough if I'm in flats and I think there's a longer length they call them tall in Next which I'd need to wear with killer heels or take up. Add a plain t-shirt and you've got a smart enough outfit. I've bought a couple of pairs of trousers off Vinted for next go nothing.

I struggle too because I take the Tube and am post menopause, so always hot and need to wear only cotton and linen. Dresses are so Little House on the Prairie these days I struggle with those too.
I mostly wear chinos, linen shirts, vest tops, shorts and tshirt dresses.

I have the same waistline issue as you op. I am only 5'8" but I have a long body so dresses are mainly empire line on me. I still wear them but I look for shapes that will flatter, shirt dresses etc and wear them with snag footless tights. I have DM sandals and a load of high waisted jeans / linen trousers and wear them with vests and long cotton/ viscose shirts mostly. I have some v nice shirts after a successful charity shopping trip. As a tall fat lady clearly got rid of a load of shirts and jackets from Boden in Harpenden recently (thank you lady).

I prefer autumn dressing but I manage in summer with light layers and good fabrics. It is harder to find good, well cut clothes and quality fabrics now, but that makes the difference if you are tall and / or fat.

My older sister is 6'3" mens trousers and shirts are often required as a last resort but if you are handy with a sewing machine you can alter for a female figure.

Her mum (we are half sisters) used to make some of her school uniform as in the 70s they did not cater for 6' 13 year olds - it has been tough! So it is better than it used to be I think.

No advice just watching! I'm also 6' and struggle in the summer. Add to that, I'm a bit porky. I find long dresses make me look All Dress if that makes sense? It's a lot of fabric! I'm uncomfortable showing too much leg (because it's a lot of leg! - if I wear a shorter skirt with no tights etc, you can see a lot more leg than if I was say 5'5"!)
Add to that, there's only 3 or 4 shops us tallies can actually shop in - online only, obviously - it means there's not a lot of choice.
I usually end up with a long skirt and a couple of pairs of cropped wide leg trousers for summer.
I feel your pain.

Have you looked at Long Tall Sally? My 6’2” friend swears by them.

I’m only 5’9” but wanted an ankle length dressing gown and found one there. I don’t know if they are ridiculously expensive generally but the dressing gown was reasonably priced.

I struggle and I'm only 5'8" so I can imagine that buying for 6' is tough.

I suppose you could wear full length trousers as crops, unisex white tshirts etc, but feminine clothes are difficult. I buy maxi dresses and then unpick the seams and lower the waists to fit me. It's a complete faff but better than making my own clothes from scratch.

Shops that claim to do a dress in Long, make me really cross because they don't, they just add a couple of inches to the hem and don't move the waists down at all - M&S and Boden both guilty of this.

Skirts are easier. Tops aren't because cheaper brands cut their clothes short to reduce cost and they just aren't long enough. Sometimes if they are marginal I unpick the hems and rehem with seam binding to give an extra cm or two of length.

Shoes are getting better. most are available in sizes 8 and 9. I'm sure your feet aren't ugly OP. Treat yourself to a pedicure to get started and then use foot cream and a file regularly.

Yes to the Little House on the Prairie dresses! I'd look like I was playing dress up if I wore one of them!

I can 95% guarantee that every 6' woman has heard of Long Tall Sally. There really are only a handful of shops that cater to tall women. LTS used to be great, albeit quite pricey. It was taken over by Very and the quality is now quite frankly shit. The odd gem, but not great.