Thought I looked ‘effortless Mediterranean cool’ — actually looked more like a harrassed scout leader 🫠 Help!

[ExcuseUs]

Looked back at last summer’s holiday pics and… wow. I thought I was nailing effortless Euro chic, I had bought new, planned better — a couple of black cotton dresse, linen shorts, black cami, espadrilles,. But in photos (taken from behind, of course 🙄), I looked less like a glam goddess and more like a scout leader on a mission. Not the hoped for.

So — how do you actually pull off that breezy, stylish holiday look, I am always envious of others, sashaying along the prom?

Dresses, coords, whatever — I’m open. Just want to look effortless and not thrown together in a melted heap.

Tips, combos, links — please hit me with your summer style wisdom!

Maybe it’s a bit 2002 of me

Nowt wrong with 2002! I think that's basically where I still live in my head...

Had a proper look at my summer trousers after reading this and the Expectations thread!

I have three pairs; navy and black
from M&S, olive green from Peacocks (notably cheaper).

I noticed ... All 55% linen, 45% viscose, made in Bangladesh, all comfortable, cool and I'm happy with my reflection in them all (5'8, 16-18).

The M&S black with the drawstring are wider, swishier.

Then I noticed ... The pricier M&S navy and the Peacocks olive ARE THE SAME ELASTIC WAIST TROUSERS JUST IN DIFFERENT COLOURS.

A thought - I have very little that goes with the navy, and if I pair it with a white shirt I look like I should be swabbing the deck.

Does anyone else remember Eric Morcambe and the shorts with the wire around the legs so that they stood out? I have a morbid fear of looking like that (and I even have Ernie Wise's 'short fat hairy legs') so I tend to wear shorts that are quite high cut as I've found they are the only kind that don't give me Eric and Ernie vibes.

I've got short legs and varicose veins but I've never caught anyone staring or screaming.

I think it depends on what materials/ style you get.

For example some Ralph Lauren style polo dresses tick the comfort and material boxes. Maybe with pleats!

Doesn’t have to be an actual adidas court dress. For a hike in the local country park though, an ‘activity dress’ would fit just fine - but let’s not pretend that’ll pass for Med chic 😉

I am wider of beam myself and live not quite in the med zone but close (Portugal), I hate wearing trousers in Sumner too. My summer staples are shorts and skirts but the shorts tend to be culotte type shorts and the skirts are mostly a line skirts similar to those that white stuff does. I have a few La Redoute skirts too, they have pin tucks at the waist which gives them some fullness but they aren't flared or gathered so don't add width.
www.whitestuff.com/p/5873/teakie-skirt/MID_PURPLE

Looked at those this morning - the trousers are nice but they are that long that I would have loads taken off the bottom. Someone else was looking at them and said - do they ever sell trousers in here for people of average height ? Looked at quite a few pair that were the same and only the cropped ones would fit me as regular trousers and I am 5.4ish

Yes, I agree a polo dress would be all right. But the description of the built-in shorts and the pockets etc made it sound like the poster was talking about actual functional tennis dresses, which is a different thing really.

I am chunky of thigh - always have been, whatever weight I am, and I have to wear just above knee shorts or else my legs look hideous. I go for light denim ones and always order a size up so they're loose and not clinging anywhere. And yet the consensus is short shorts look best? Surely for chunkier legs it varies? (I know some would say you shouldn't be wearing shorts, but below my knee my legs are decent and I feel so much more comfortable in them).

Can I just say, every time this thread pops up I have an image of the dead 70s Scout leader from Ghosts

I sometimes leave the house feeling okay and then my husband’s photography confirms that I am in fact a warthog.

I think you expose legs or arms OP. Wear the shorts and vest with a shirt over or wide leg trousers / skirts with sleeveless tops/tanks. But getting the right shirt sleeved top is crucial.

someone mentioned being chunky in thigh and wearing shorts just above the knee. There are loads of Bermuda style denim shorts about this season, might be worth a look, though I haven’t tried any on myself.

@ExcuseUs they just don’t scratch the itch to feel sunshine directly on my skin. I want bronzed limbs, sun on my shoulders, and a faint risk of weird strap marks or better still not!... how do I show some flesh without veering into holiday rep/lost on the way to the pool/camp counsellor with regrets? Is there a middle path between elegant and exposed?

Speaking as a slim but short and pale Scot, I think it's difficult to look chic and elegant with a lot of skin exposed unless you're tall, thin, tanned and also toned, particularly for daytime. A couple of example outfits that I think could work on some women are:

Black Square Neck Palma Mini Dress
By Anthropologie Wrap Tie Linen-Blend Skort | Anthropologie UK

But I would say it's easier to look elegant with less skin out. Also better for your skin health (sorry). Compromise with sun on bare skin in a bikini at the pool, more covered up for day trips? I guess it depends on the holiday.

I love the idea of a skirt but I think they would do weird things to my behind view! Maybe a skort with a back section too, do basically a very short safe skirt.

I was looking for it too for this post!

These are what you describe, Elle. Shorts underneath and seem really wearable @LittleBitofBread

Active Dress

Some also have a built in cups too.

I don't know the brand.

Halara is fast fashion, it's often recommended on here but it's in the same league as Shein. Those dresses all seem to be manmade fabrics too, very much not European chic.

OP, to better assist I have some Qs that turned into a lot more Qs. I love fashion and am in my coastal grandma and return to 2000s (not like my vintage stuff may be my actual stuff from growing up bc I'm still 25, totally). Ppl think I'm European, which makes me feel cool bc I don't have a passport and have never left the US. I love me some ASOS and wear mostly b&w. I'm the color of a corpse but spray tan.

• How short is short lol in height and what are your proportions?

• May I kindly request age range and if you have any areas of concern that need to be taken into styling considerations?

• What part of your leg do you like to hit? Mid thigh? Closer to knees? Show off some cheek? (okay, that one is in jest but also you do you, boo, bc no judgment!)

• And looking for sleeveless only? Strapless? Short sleeved?

• Cut? Loose bottoms, fitted tops, but what about cut for dresses?

• How is your accessory collection (this may be a big factor)?

• And I'm seeing shoe suggestions all over the place. Do you have a preference for flats, wedges, or heels?(Espadrilles are in but they're not usually out for summer...(???) Also, chunkier shoes are in style, but may not work for what you're trying to achieve.)

• Are you into hats?

I will help with your euro coastal grandma vibes.

Like I'm 5'7" (170cm) but have a longer torso and "stumpy" legs. I'm into flats. I bought a lot of baggy pants and growing my sneaker collection and comfy sandals bc gen z is on to something with that comfort thing. (Please don't tell my younger self this would happen as I always leaned pain is beauty with shape wear and I'm not about that lifestyle atm)

Tips:

• I wear my Lululemon shorts underneath for "shaping" and to not be a sweaty mess.
• And I bring my steamer when traveling.

Agreed!

I will never be mistaken for "European" (in the continental sense) as I am a curvy and very obvious English rose but I am fortunate to have some lovely holiday clothes so I shall waft around the Greek Islands next week feeling lovely: less Kristin Scott Thomas, more Shirley Valentine 😊

BTW As for shorts, I have a couple of golf skorts which have replaced my shorts - they look better (on me) than shorts but have the practicality of shorts.

Agree - I’m afraid I can’t think of much less “European chic” than wearing skimpy sports dresses for daily life.

I think I love you!

They all look pretty but nylon would be hell no from me in the heat.

I just wear short denim shorts and t shirts or vests. Easy to pack and looks kind of effortless, stylish and good in photos. Linen shorts would look awful on me and I’d worry about long dresses getting very crumpled in a suitcase?

@KnitFastDieWarm
Come along Ermentrude. Pith hats ahoy. Join me on the lawn for a sundowner and tiffin. What ho!
(I am getting ridiculously into this).

Well if the shots were from behind, it wasn't the woggle😁

This reminded me that I forgot to note, bc I had this in the back of my head, if one's confidence is forever ruined...that long tailored vests, knit or woven, with or without lapels like a blazer are still very in. No other wardrobe change necessary and can still be cool and comfortable. It would also cover the "problem" area from the pics.

After typing the above, I double-checked what a woggle is. 🤭 I thought it was slang for a jiggly booty or something. 🤣 I was way off. We so didn't wear those in girl scouts when I was a scout or when I was a troop co-leader. I'm going to think I'm ready to travel to the UK with learning the slang and terms from here... At least until I hear regional accents and then I'll have no idea what's going on (unless I'm in Derry bc I'm cracker like Orla and Sister Michael).