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!

I bought a beige linen dress last year inspired by similar ideals. It looked ghastly. Beige totally washes me out - so does black although I didn't realise it for decades! Do those colours actually suit you?

There are lots of things I would like to be able to wear, such as shirt dresses, but past experience shows me that they just don't work for me.

Now I rock midi dresses with high necklines and flared skirts, and jumpsuits, in all sorts of vibrant colours.

I'm just back from holiday and I feel I've finally cracked it. I've found Lydia Tomlinson's videos very helpful. Not all of them, but she has good rules for Dos and Don'ts. I also stick to blacks and neutrals (with the odd blue and green). Dress tonally, so wear a light coloured beige top with beige shorts or skirt, rather than black with beige. (In general, although it can work) If you have short shorts on, wear longer sleeves. So for example a cotton or linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up to 3/4 length. If you're wearing a midi or maxi skirt, you can get away with either longer sleeves, t shirt or vest top, but it's about the balance of skin on show. A vest top and shorts can be smartened up by throwing an open linen shirt over. Espadrilles - no. Try a sandal like the Hermes Oran (lots of dupes available) or strappy sandals. I've seen a lot of people recommending the Croc Miami, which are surprisingly nice.

I find shorts tricky, but try something more tailored, e.g. MINI SHORTS - Light yellow | ZARA United Kingdom. I also got these and they are easily the most flattering denim shorts I've ever come across.

I think shorts look shit on most people. They denim cut offs look good on the young and slim but with my menopausal spare tyre I just look lumpy. The ones that do seem to work are the loose cheesecloth ones if worn with a matching top.
Otherwise its dresses. If I go on a daytrip I'll wear a dress, for the beach a nice cover up.

I was hanging out the washing one day, feeling chic in my Breton tee, navy cut-off trousers and navy plimsoles. But I kept having a nagging feeling that the outfit reminded me of something. It hit me later that I'd been swanning about looking like Smee from Peter Pan.

devastating but helpful

😂

Oooooo - those Zara shorts are lovely

ETA god I hate Zara's website

Noooo 😂😂😂

Lads! We're overthinking it, surely?!

It is absolutely none of my business what I look like from behind - that's someone else's problem entirely.

(Disclaimer: I am posting as a fellow "convinced I am stylish in linen colour blocking" holidayer but I've made my bed and I'll just have to lie in it - I haven't got the energy to rethink my holiday wardrobe!)

What I’m randomly noticing in resort just now - (feel free to shout at me if you like)

• Lycra/yoga shorts, various lengths depending on age and physique on everyone here seem to be looking by far the nicest and best (alas not on me)
• beach cover ups, so many this year ending just above the groin and buttock area, leaving those areas on show as guest wander around, terribly unflattering for lunch in a formal-ish non-sea front restaurant
• beach cover ups with exaggerated curved side hems/splits / long dipped backs looking sort of messy and unflattering. (me - who also thought I was modelling cool safari chick - until I saw my sideways sack of potatoes view…)

I'm in the same boat OP. I thought I looked fabulous last summer in my wide legged, cropped, drawstring linen trousers.

Looking back at photos, they did NOT suit my 5ft4 petite, but hourglass frame.

I've since realised that fitted or belted or elasticated waisted dresses do it for me as they are the only item I can rely on to properly nip in at my waist.

As someone who lives in place that a lot of tourists visit, I can spot a British person a mile off. Sorry, but it is true.

Outfits are just a bit too put together. Or just very samey. The chances are that a local person is not going to turn up at the beach in a fully co-ordinated swim outfit. Or a casual trip to a tourist spot, no local person is kitted out in designer clothes or in complete matchy matchy head to toe. And then there is the floral dress and white trainers. It's not that no one wears that here and may see it from time to time, but it seems a uniform straight off a BA flight. Granted that may have been last few seasons, but the looks are usually always similar.

Safari outfits are not a thing. If you turn up in full safari khaki ensemble, then you are either a ranger working there or that outfit was a bit too thought out. Linen is not the be all and end all. I do like linen when I am at home, but I am not taking it on holiday.

Also the same applies to traditional outfits. Please do buy them, but take them home to wear them. As beautiful as they are, you stick out like a sore thumb if you are a white woman in an African tribal outfit going to the beach.

My post is lighthearted, I don't claim to be a fashion expert, I just saying the things from the other side.

Found this woman!!!

Not sure she is entirely accurate but there is some truth in some of it

Oof that video's a bit of a kick in the teeth to anyone other than thin rich white women, @soupyspoon!

I'm very short, so I look like an extra from It Ain't Half Hot Mum in anything but short, fitted shorts (not hot pants, I just need a decent amount of thigh visible and no flapping fabric). I'm pretty sure I look like I'm wearing a nappy from behind, but that's for other people to choose to gaze upon or not.

Lose the shorts and tank tops. I honestly don't think they suit women who aren't 15.

Dresses are instant chic. If you have nice legs, go short!! (I don't ...)

Loose trousers with tunics (I often wear a short dress over trousers because I want tum bum crotch and thighs COVERED)

Add a long loose kimono/shirt for a coverup

With cheaper clothes, print looks cheap, plain looks more high end. Add detail with pashminas, some statement jewellery, flat sandals in metallic leather.

Colours:

Start with your hair, skin and eye colour. So I might have an outfit in cream, light brown and sea green.

Then do some colour research and add in complementary and contacting colours that flatter your tones.

I'm warm toned so I like colours like plum, burgundy, rust, aubergine, blackcurrant, bronze, pewter. Cream not white (nothing whiter than my teeth!)

Linen never photographs well. You think it looks cool and effortless, in pics it comes out dishevelled.

Yes I agree with you. I live in france and have done for many years, i rarely see linen or tailored shorts. That's why I suggested hitting up a market. I see a lot of short black dresses, short black shorts with black tank tops, colourful playsuits and kind of long flowing market stall dresses in intense prints. Guess it depends whete you live though.

@isthismylifenow @Jigaliga When I go on holiday I don't aim to cosplay the locals as you seem to assume. I dress like myself, just somewhere warmer. People also have more time on holiday, are going nice places as it's an occasion, and are having more photos taken than usual. Why shouldn't they dress up and make an effort? If I'm on holiday I don't want to look like a local who's popped to the Spar.

I like linen but one of the best thing that helped me avoid camera surprises is to get a good large dressing mirror, a second mirror to check my backside and gooe natural lighting so it's be the window. I can't tell you how many times my dark north facing room approved outfit turned out see through, showing my cellulite or bra strap fat or cleavage through the fabric.
Linen shorts and a vest are so unforgiving from behind you'd have to be a toned, hourglass 18 year old to look good from behind.
Patterns in trousers are more forgiving if you have cellulite i find. Not what the op is specifically about but just my 2 cents on other comments made here.

I lean (accidentally) into scout territory very easily.
Or a girl guide who’s camping.

Get rid of the tank tops. They are hideous, not fashionable and unflattering on anyone over a size 8 imo! Strappy cami tops the same applies but they can look nice with really floaty long skirts. Shorts and oversized blouses or dresses. I think unless you have amazing slim toned arms they’re always almost better covered up! And also floaty tops that don’t draw a line across the middle of the body is much more flattering. I think the key to good summer dressing is lots of loose fabric. Nothing clingy or tight!

Same - I've stopped buying from Zara online.

Only read OP's posts.

I have often unintentionally rocked the 'just about to go on a military exercise' look. I steer clear of anything 'cargo' or too sporty. I have a very athletic figure (which I am happy with), but I don't always want to look like I'm about to do the 3 peak challenge.

Shorts - go short - no longer than about 1/3 down your thigh.
Not too loose otherwise they balloon out when you sit down.

I wear loose fitting but simple dresses - no frills, buckles, belts - just hang. I am pretty tall and (because I can pick an 8 off the peg) I think it can sometimes be harder for shorter women. Uniqlo would be worth a look.

I just got a sort of muted cornflower blue colour pure linen midi shirt dress from la Redoute, after a LONG search. Paired with a lovely minimal leather belt, I feel good in it. With a huge hat, huge sunglasses etc. And minimalist leather trainers so I can actually walk distances.

Also a black linen midi wrap skirt with a tie/bow on the front, paired with very simple light linen short sleeve tops (M&S is coming in clutch for these ). It's shorts that scupper me, I don't really give much fucks but it's difficult to find a short which feels just right.

I ended up with jinbei bottoms (a Japanese light cotton set, shorts and wrap top). They sit on the knee.

I'm covered in tattoos and it's hard to pull off true European elegance lol, so I go more for quality and cut of fabrics, dressing not to overheat! Minimal accessories.

OP is a size 8!