Summer clothes when I hate summer clothes

[Merrow]

This happens every year - the weather improves, I realise that I'm uncomfortable in my normal clothes, but then everything in the shops that is actually appropriate for this weather I can't imagine wearing. I've a few things bought over the years and then every summer I look at them and think "but I don't actually like them!"

Usually I wear jeans and t-shirts, mini skirts or short dresses and thick black tights, all dark colours. I'm very, very comfortable at dressing for autumn and winter! It's not particularly exciting, but I like what I wear - I give off the very accurate impression that I still mainly listen to 90s music and probably like board games.

My issues with summer clothes are:

• I don't like patterns
• most things feel very feminine in a very floaty way that I feel uncomfortable with
• I really dislike seeing my knees
• I have very broad shoulders and strappy tops make me feel self-conscious about them
• I don't like those Lucy and yak dungarees, which seems the popular choice round here for people who don't like florals
• despite the fact I'm closer to 40 than 30 I still really in my head believe I'm 27 and that many popular summer options are too grown up for me

Wherever I wear the summer clothes I do have I feel like I've borrowed someone else's wardrobe.

Any suggestions of where to look? I'm size 10/12, tall, busty, generally covered in whatever my 2 year old last ate.

I’m a similar size and life stage to you and also happiest in a winter mini skirt and thick tights. Two outfits I’ve recently enjoyed wearing:

Lightweight denim shirt dress (from Lidl of all places!). Dark denim, shaped “shirt like” hem that just covers my knees at the front, collar, tie belt at the waist. Long sleeves can be rolled up. Perfect for typical English summer weather. No frills.

Strappy dress over a white t shirt, classic 90s style! Feels summery, neat, comfy but also like I’m making an effort.

If you like jeans - what about shorter length jeans (but not shorts - so like a below the knee or cut off at the ankle) or linen trousers ? Maybe try those slouchy, drawstring PJ bottom type trousers (although I always feel like I am wearing PJs cos I'm not a size 8) ?
Could still wear t-shirts. Or maybe t-shirt style tops but in different fabrics ?
T-shirt style dresses (if you can find one that hits below the knee) ? What style dress do you normally wear - maybe same style but in a lighter, but not floaty fabric like jersey.

I love carefree summer dressing but I guess it helps I run very cold... I don't wear vests or anything with thin straps (broad shoulders, big bust) unless they are underneath something else, or anything that shows my legs unless its gets to about 27 degrees, then I wear shorts. I don't wear anything flouncy or particularly feminine, no maxis or any kind of dress. Nothing floral and definitely not dungarees.

You should be able to just run a summer version of your jeans and tshirt look. Get lighter weight jeans, or linen trousers and put on a tshirt or a nicer top, job done. You can easily give it a more summery vibe, and keep cooler, wearing some simple sandals - gold maybe.

I bet your knees aren't as bad as you think and that would open up more options for short simple dresses and shorts.

With wide shoulders and 90s taste, would strappy dresses with a t-shirt under work? I'm wearing them for breast feeding and might stick to it. No shaving and less suncream needed!

During the summer I just replace jeans with lightweight / straight leg trousers, M&S, River Island, H&M, Uniqlo, Mango all do them. Cotton, linen etc. Some more floaty and feminine than others but you can decide what shape you like the most. I mostly wear black but I’ve got white, cream, sand kind of colours too.

H&M Basics and Uniqlo for t-shirts

I wear shorter/cropped jeans/jeggings with some kind of vest top (I'm also very broad shouldered but love wearing vests!)

I just got these, which are a bit summery but also jeans:

Cropped Jeans

Cropped cargo trousers are also a good bet.

M&S palazzo jeans are very lightweight so that could be an option.

Maybe buy a few white tee shirts of grey as a compromise and maybe look at denim mini skirts from cheaper shops where the denim is not as thick and could still be worn in winter with thick tights.

Love your style, it sounds ace. and yes dress how you like, not according to age! When it’s hot maybe swap the jeans for airy loose trousers in a colour you normally wear and still wear the tshirts?

Thanks everyone! It sounds like loose trousers / jeans are something I need to investigate. I think I probably need to make some compromises somewhere - I tend to go for tight skirts/jeans and pretty loose tops, so when I add loose skirts or trousers I feel like a shapeless mass. Also, because I'm mainly in black, I do feel like I look like a black hole of despair when everyone around me seems to be swanning around effortlessly. I see people in loose tops and trousers that somehow make it work, but I don't understand the trick. I feel like I'm just coming across as trying to hide my body when actually I'm ok with it on the whole.

It would definitely help to get over the knee thing, because shorts with my normal top half is a good solution. In my mild defence I think everyone's knees are weird, rather than particularly disliking my own. Every time I see them I think what a bizarre series of lumps they are.

I've tried the t-shirt under strappy tops look, and it's just not for me. My shoulders are a me hang-up, but I've accepted that I'm not going to change my opinion there.

I love summer black! I’ve lightened things up with a broderie anglaise top (cool and airy without feeling too flouncy) and ditto a black crochet tank top which works sleeveless or over a contrasting T-shirt/dress.

Speaking of which, maxi or midi T-shirt dresses. They come fitted so again, no flounce.

I don’t wear jeans generally but whatever shape and style you like, there will be a linen or lightweight trouser in the same. I’ve got some ankle grazer trousers from Mm and Sss and I fancy I am Audrey Hepburn in Rome in them.

I've got 4 or 5 long skirts which are lightweight in various "denim" colours, and I wear them with loosish tops, and unfussy sandals or flip flops. Just a sort of variation on the jeans and t shirts combo. If it's a changeable day I throw a thin cardi over them. Job done.

Most of the population of Southern Europe wears black in the summer, and so do I! I don't mind a floral, but feel that pastels scream middle aged English woman. Which I am, technically, but prefer to think of myself as a gloriously matured 90s indie kid 😆.

Dungaree dresses with T shirts? You will have to get over the knee phobia though. Or a nice long straight simple black jersey dress?

Then all you have to face is the trauma of prising your feet out of your emotional support Doc Martens and facing the prospect of sandals, or is that just me?!

How about loose white linen trousers with t-shirts or vests - black, navy, ecru, pale grey - and Birkenstock Arizonas?

https://www.boden.com/products/westbourne-linen-trousers-white-1?variant=42471593836753

https://www.hush-uk.com/slim-fit-slub-crew-t-shirt-lightest-grey-marl/000749-2835.html

https://www.hush-uk.com/scoop-neck-ribbed-vest-grey-marl/012669-4801-S.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_brand_new&utm_content=brand&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21151587281&gbraid=0AAAAADmDz95wjM9VjV4yrrCvtfc--aSwe&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyruHqLyWjQMVPYKDBx3xJBjBEAQYAiABEgKr4PD_BwE

https://www.asos.com/birkenstock/birkenstock-arizona-birko-flor-sandals-in-white/prd/204290613?currencyid=1&browsecountry=GB&affid=29122&_EAIaIQobChMIhefAhLyWjQMVfptQBh2EvA_eEAQYASABEgLhvfD_BwE&channelref=product+search&ppcadref=21246570219%7C%7C&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21246570219&utm_content=&utm_term=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21246575232&gbraid=0AAAAADqFjOBcN3XKP_GrMlZyJQh37CUkn&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhefAhLyWjQMVfptQBh2EvA_eEAQYASABEgLhvfD_BwE

Could you swap jeans for denim skirts? Not flouncy and look great with t-shirts.

T-shirt dresses or shirt dresses (whatever length you fancy) are not particularly feminine.

I also have broad shoulders, so wear vest tops with thicker straps rather than thin, as the proportions are better. Halterneck tops work well with wider shoulders as they also break up the line.

I agree that summer black (and navy) are great. I have a navy, jersey jumpsuit, which is cool in the heat, but not particularly girly. It took me a long time to work out how to dress for summer, too.

I am the same, I wear linen trousers with a t-shirt or short sleeved top mostly. Sometimes a maxi skirt or dress. I am always happy to get back to my normal clothes though.

What about a tube skirt and no tights rather than a mini?

i hear you, i'm happiest in tights and boots!
Some of the summery frocks have so much fabric in them and big puffy sleeves, they're just not me at all.
I don't mind wearing shorts but footwear is also a struggle in summer. Apparently the white trainer thing is now "out" but I'm sticking with mine as they're comfy and I can walk in them!

I am exactly the same. Wardrobe full of dresses I wear with black tights in autumn and winter. Cannot get my knees out, I hate them!

This summer I've decided to do lots of maxi skirts in black or navy with a plain t shirt pink, grey or white. Very simple.
If the skirt has any markings/pattern then I wear a plain t shirt. If the skirt is a block colour then I might wear a striped top.

How about a loose white shirt over a sleeveless black linen below the knee dress?

@crackofdoom I'm begrudgingly accepting the existence of summer means I need to make changes, but I'm not going so far as to change my shoes!

T-shirt dresses have not historically been great for me as the size I need to fit at my shoulders and bust means that they're too loose on the rest of me. Linen trousers and sandals are exactly the look that I think other people look great in, but I just don't think I'd feel myself in them. Also, I don't think we ever unpacked the iron since we moved 4 years ago. I'm not sure I could be trusted with linen!

I think I'll have to brave the shops. I'll take some of my favourite tops and see what goes and doesn't feel too alien from everyone's suggestions. I will acknowledge the existence of knees, and long for the day that tights are developed that somehow actually do keep you cool in hot weather!

I love a maxi skirt and plenty around that are more utility rather than flouncy. Also some really wide leg trousers that look like skirts.

What's your thoughts on Cos? I am also more top heavy, hate patterns, love monochrome looks and have a couple of t-shirt dresses and other midi/maxi type things that work well.
I also have a sleeveless wide leg black jumpsuit that works well on its own, with a denim jacket/shirt over, or a tshirt under.

What about a denim skirt or a cargo/utility type skirt/longer tube skirt with either a vest or t-shirt? I would generally go for a shorter boxy type t-shirt with them that just hits the skirt waistband.