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.

@SugarPlumpFairyCakes marks and spencer make things to fit 7 feet tall as do primark! and I know this because I am only 5 feet tall!

I want to wear floaty trousers and swishy skirts but it hard to find non viscose/cupra. lenzing something or other which all makes me absolutely sweat!

I am also looking for some white tops that are cotton. It is even hard sometimes to see t shirts that are v neck and not high necked. I managed to get some from Next - different colours but it is still hard to get them long enough. I have to cover my tum!

I managed to get some crop trousers too as I cannot get floaty trousers.

Sandals are a pain because I hate absolutely flat sandals. I hate to feel the ground beneath me but I cannot wear heels. A small wedge is ok. I managed to get some sandals from Skechers.

LTS is really poor quality. And the cut of their trousers is awful.

I like the warmer months much better but that’s because I’m always cold so it just means I can do without five layers. I do get a bit self conscious of my bust, I think you can’t go wrong with a lightweight shirt over the top of everything. Not meant to fit exactly and hides a multitude of sins.

and @InaneRamblings ..I didn’t realise LTS was a bit shit. Ignore me!! 🤣

So far OP you have dismissed every suggestion given to you 😂

White / cream linen trousers. I also have some striped (vertical) pants which are really flattering I think.
Next for loose t-shirts / vests / shirts to wear with them
Birkenstock Bostons if you don't want sandals

Shops - try Zara, ASOS (have a "tall" section on their website), Next (most trousers have long options), H&M, Mint Velvet.

Free People is a brilliant website for summer stuff and most of the clothes on there are floaty and a bit "hippy-ish" if you don't want fitted.

I think our shops are a bit rubbish for summer wear, M&S is full of poorly fitting, poorly made shorts and T-shirts, I think our continental cousins do summer dressing much better (their weather may help too!). Smarter summer clothes don’t seem to be so readily available in shops. But then I’m in Scotland so my summer wardrobe consists of my winter one but without the thermal vest underneath.

I much prefer summer dressing. Winter clothes are so depressing.

To add to my comment, if budget allows, a shopping trip to a Dutch city would be what I’d recommend, they cater for taller folk. July is sale time…

With respect, the places you've suggested may say they have tall offerings, but from experience, they're not. Zara is too short, ASOS is middling but caters predominantly to the younger folk. H&M isn't tall enough, Free People is too short as is Mint Velvet, M&S is occasionally, but only occasionally and you do have to order everything to try on just in case.
It's just a bit depressing to only have 2 or 3 shops that ACTUALLY cater for tall people. A lot say they do, but they mean up to 5'9"

I am fine with casual summer clothes. I love a sundress! I really struggle with work clothes. Summer clothes never feel smart enough. I suit short skirts as I’m short, but I don’t want to wear tights and always wonder if I look a bit inappropriate! Midi makes me look grumpy and long is too long. I don’t wear trousers as they don’t suit me either. It’s such a struggle in the summer!

I am the same height as you what dress size are you?

I recently over hauled my wardrobe listing things that I don’t like or won’t fit on Vinted and looked at what I need most to make best use of the things I already have or recent purchases.

I then recently booked an appointment with a John Lewis personal shopper (be quite exacting in what you want initially specify exactly what colours you like/dislike, brands and styles you like or dislike). Some JL brands that worked for me were AnyDay or the And/Or range.

I also topped my wardrobe up with some beige/cream combats and some wide leg jeans from Next. I am still on the hunt for some beige/neutral flattering tailored trousers to wear for going out looking a bit smarter. I have ordered some more to try from Next and Nobodys child as they had 20% off (length fine with flats).

For dresses I have had recent success with TK Max and Monsoon.

Good luck.

Agree LTS used to be an expensive, last resort, but slightly old fashioned but reliable go to if no other options. Now its cheap, fast fashion, poor quality, poor fit, cheap fabric, badly finished off.

I'm tall - but not as tall as you OP. I have long arms and find lots of short sleeved or 3/4 sleeve tops are as tricky to find a good fit in as long sleeves.

I like the length a midaxi skirt is on me, I can't be comfortable in anything short. The current fashion for boxy shapes in t shirts and jackets or some kinds of blazers doesn't work for me. Long arms and legs and long body, the boxy jackets give Smike in Nicholas Nickleby vibes 🤣

I've had clothes for tall people in the past but the choice is so limited. I like colour, so just look around and see what fits me when I need new stuff.

Oh I should add that White Stuff is ok for short sleeved tops but not long and their dresses work for me.

I think LTS gave gone downhill. I have a jumper from about 15 years ago that I still wear but several recent t shirt purchases went back as they were not tall fit just tunics masquerading as t shirts.

After trips to Japan (nothing fitted me there) and Italy this winter I observed that 'classic knits' and simple styles were in. I revived my former policy of buying mens small or medium jumpers. A simple navy lambs wool round neck - size mens small - kept my wrists warm and was complimented on. I'm attempting to do the same for summer with a mens zip neck polo shirt.

I recently bought a pair of wide leg trousers from H and M - I was amazed they were a decent length. I was in there to buy a cuddly toy zebra 🤣

Yes! Primark are so annoying for this. I Def have a Primark budget but sadly I don't have legs like a giraffe so would be swamped in their summer trousers. I'm not even that short either!
I think most of us just find a style or brand that works and stick with it. Nobody wants to be hot and sweaty and worried about their wardrobe choices!😁

My style tends to be either maxi skirt and t shirt or maxi dress with lo/high tops.
I found a dress style I liked and bought a bunch off Vinted (one of my favourites only cost £1!).

Also - I can’t imagine that their tops would give good coverage to someone who is 6 ft tall as I’ve ordered from there to get longer length T shirts to wear with leggings and they only just covered my bum and I’m 5 ft 3!

I’m 5’11” and buy most of my trousers/jeans from Next. Some from New Look. The Next Tall range are too long for me. I usually go for the XL. If you have an account you can get a load delivered to your house so you don’t have to try on in a horrible bright changing room. That way you only pay for what you keep too. It’s great. Their sales/clearance are really good too.

6ft here and feel your pain!!
For dresses cos is really good - vinted is your friend there - they tend to be not clingy but not floaty if that makes sense.
I've been stuck with next for trousers for years - although join the talternative group on Facebook if your on there as occasionally an expected gem gets recommended - it got an amazing pair of wide leg trousers that are perfect for 23 quid from john Lewis sale that I would have thought to look at if they hadn't been highlighted in that group

I think that might just be your perception as a 5-footer! M&S removed pretty much all tall options and reduced the length of the tall stuff they did retain.

DD is 6’1 and struggles particularly in summer, OP, so I feel your pain. Next does X tall and an XX tall option in some items (which even then only have an inside leg of 34”) - she was made up with the XX tall jeans I got her recently.

ASOS also aggregates lots of tall ranges at decent prices.

My only advice style-wise is to keep things as simple as possible in summer - buy up plain colour separates that fit well you can mix & match & accessorise to give them variety.

Ugh- once again I inadvertently helped MN advertise M -and - S whilst I was criticising them! They’re rubbish at tall stuff and I do not endorse them on that front!

Yes I’m short waisted and have big boobs. I’m also fat. hate not being able to wear a jacket, I hate not being able to wear jeans.

I'm 6 feet tall, size 14 and struggle. Big boobs and short waisted so anything tucked looks ridiculous.
Next tall for trousers and the occasional M and S. I like wide leg trousers. I don't wear dresses or skirts.
Got some decent tops/ tshirts from Boden recently 25% off.
I much prefer winter for clothes

What size are you? And what sort of age? And what style do you do for?

I’m also 6ft tall and totally feel your pain! I much prefer dressing for the winter. I don’t like being too hot, am very pale, and don’t like having lots of skin out as it goes all pink (nice). Also, as a PP said, bare legs when you have a lot of leg just feels a bit too much!

I am late 30s and a size 10 with broad shoulders. I tend to like quite minimal/unfussy clothing with limited patterns and a bit of structure. I have several dresses and jumpsuits from Cos that are my summer staples - all are long enough any cotton so nice and cool! I have little children so find dungarees (Toast) and a vest top quite handy, though appreciate it’s not for everyone! I also regularly wear some loose, wide trousers from Zara, parachute-type trousers from Cos and slightly cropped barrel-ish khaki trousers from Me and Em, which look nice with a white tank or tee. On cooler days, I like the look of wider or barrel jeans (Citizens of Humanity) to balance me out - again, I know some people hate them!

Agree M&S are pretty rubbish for tall length and they actually barely fit anyone under 6ft never mind 7ft. Our local store only does long length in a size 8, 10 or 12. If your dress size is bigger than a size 12 the assumption is you must be short or regular.