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!

how can I smile emoji be bullying? Is it worse than a mean comment?

You can wear shorts under shirt dresses to act like a tunic . Still get legs brown but with confidence. I don’t wear the cycling sort but the short flowy version . Under a long tunic or short dress.

or some boy short pants . Let’s face it it’s just like a swimsuit bottoms underneath

It’s used prolifically on Facebook to mock and bully people. Even when the content is very sad sometimes.

I can imagine. Fortunately I do not see it all on my social media, probably because I keep it to friends and family rather than browsing myself.

I thought I looked all wafty and cool in my strappy wide leg jumpsuits on a winter sun holiday in January. Looking back at photos, I looked like Humpty Dumpty, it was horrific🫣 I’d already started my diet then but only lost a few pounds.

I’ve lost nearly 2 and a half stone now and I finally look like what I always imagined I looked like in summer clothes🤪😂

Unfortunately my experience is also that I only actually look good when 3 stone lighter than I am currently.

I had some shorts delivered today that I bought for hiking on holiday. They’re a dark green - immediately made me thing of this thread. They’re going back! 😂

But if anyone has come across long sleeve shirts to wear with shorts and vests recently, or light cotton long sleeves tops to wear with cut off denim shorts I’d love to know where they are from!

Solidarity OP - my husband took a pic of me from behind (with love - I think) and it looks like one of those pictures where someone’s top half is stuck on someone else’s bottom. The top half was semi-chic (as I go), the bottom half was all back flab, enormous butt and cellulite (bikini shot). Curse photos from behind.

Actually it’s dyb dyb dyb - means “do your best” (goes back to pressing scout shirt and sharpening pen knife)

After reading this thread, I did some research yesterday in Tesco’s. Most people were dressed for comfort and practicality. Aside from those young enough and slim enough to look good in a sack, the people who looked the best, regardless of age or size were those who kept it simple. There were plenty of women who were rocking it with a dress and sandals, even from behind. The other look I liked was an older lady with a white pleated midi skirt and black fitted vest top.

Saw a young couple on the bus yesterday who looked absolutely lovely. She had a pale blue cotton sundress with little frilled sleeves, flat cream sandals, her hair clip, bag and sunnies were all in navy and cream. He had denim knee length shorts, navy polo shirt and plimsolls (yes, not trainers). It helped they were both tall, slim and nicely fit looking, but the simplicity, care and flair without being flashy or exposed ... 😍

Ooh, what’s the acronym for the response ‘dob dob dob’?

Is it do our best? I used to be a cub leader, so I really should know this…

I'm in the south of France now taking mental notes of what outfits work well. The French definitely wear patterns and floral prints though. Maybe not as much as the British but they definitely do. So far, I conclude that body skimming dresses or jumpsuits work well in natural fabrics. One colour usually but saw a "normal" looking middle aged woman today in a big floral print looseish dress midi length who looked cool and comfortable. Posture matters a lot, I think. I'm enjoying making mental notes for next time. I'm not one of those super stylish women due to hair that looks shit as soon as anyone breathes on it.

I was people watching in the Easyjet bag drop queue the other day. It's interesting to see what people wear to the airport at 3.30am. Lots of impossibly slim girls in skin tight leggings and baby tees, crocs, some pj bottoms etc. I thought one lady looked wonderful and I wish I'd said so - cream with fine navy pinstripe, linen (or cotton) co ord loose trousers and waistcoat top. Flat brown sandals. Looked really fab. She was petite, curvy and it really flattered her.
Maybe we should have a 'stylish people we have observed' thread 😄

Yes, loose cotton trouser with a little bit of structure (not old pyjama bottoms) and a single colour (usually black) vest top looks good.

Same here. It's mystified and frustrated me for years that so few outfits flatter me anymore, especially Summer ones. Then I went and lost 42lbs on Mounjaro and, as if by magic, every outfit is flattering.

I honestly think it's 95% down to your weight and figure. Unfortunately.

But weight isn't the OPs issue - she is a size 6 to 8.

I think shorts can add extra bulk around the middle of your body. Every time I'm on holiday, I swear I'll lose my podgy middle and start going to the gym. I never do though.

I LOVE the sound of this co-ord - if you see anything similar pls shout!

The love for linen on this thread is limited but I can't give up on it 😁 a friend has a lovely cream linen waistcoat that looks great on her - longline,with a highish neck, but I'm looking for something a bit shorter.

Sounds like an outfit from Primark from last year that my friend had. Maybe they're doing something similar this year.