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!

Please bring the laugh emoji back!

Light-hearted self-deprecation is so funny, and us Brits (I assume most people on this thread are British) are very good at it.

Maybe if you could show some pics it would be easier to see where you went wrong.

Have attached a pic plus info with the product code. Very generous sizing so may be worth going down a size. Tbh they look better in real life than in the photo. Wash nicely too.

In every photo I look like a 1920s matron who lives with her ‘companion’ Dorothy, wears sensible shoes, and breeds labradors.

😆😆

Your mum had style. I don't think there is anything wrong with the second two, and they look great on some women but they just aren't my taste.

I've never taken to heels either but find platforms so comfy.

Also, linen- what is the appeal?! Especially on holiday, several countries away from your ironing board! It always wrinkles around the bum, giving you that elephant's arse effect!

This! I've never seen an arse look good in wrinkled linen.

@harriethoyle They also come in white.

She's a size 8, I think that's plenty slim

We never book anywhere without an iron and ironing board. Its my first question to hosts even if its in the write up, I never trust it!

Sorry for calling you out, I was partway through the thread

The European look requires far daintier shoes / sandals.
Think https://g.co/kgs/BFwZ2Fs , no chunky straps or platforms. They often wear belts with shorts, and wear dresses that have either thin straps or a defined waste.

Something like this: https://www.princessetamtam.com/fr/robe-noir-5SND261_B090.html

I don’t have amazing legs, but I have reached the age where I just wear shorts if my holiday destination dictates that I will be more comfortable in them. I have some that aren’t too short, but not long either, and the trick that works for me is to have them slightly wider on the thigh. So not dead straight or clinging to my thighs. I tend to wear either a t-shirt with them or a shirt over a vest/tank top. I do love a long dress with sandals - but I stay away from floral patterns or trainers with them. I have a few lightweight wide leg trousers in beige, black and brown. I tend to wear slightly looser vest tops with those tucked in at the front. Fitted tank tops (especially of the ribbed variety) and spaghetti straps are a complete no for me. Though I do occasionally like a higher neck tank tops that is cut in a bit at the sleeves (sort of how a racer back vest looks at the front, but without the racer back), that seems to balance out my shoulders and arms well. Though I could do with some new ones and haven’t seen any yet.

trust me she really didn’t 😂
they look like really old old ladies shoes
comfortable I don’t doubt but they look ugly and boring
the sort of shoes you just know that the owners toes are gonna look yellow and crusty

I've never been able to wear shorts, full stop. I have no thigh gap (regardless of weight or size) so I get an uncomfortable 'hungry' crotch and the fabric gets kind of rucked up between my legs when I walk in shorts. I avoid them altogether on the whole. So I'm envious of you in that respect 😀

To be honest, I always like to see people about who seemingly give zero shits about how they look in stuff like shorts. My BF has had major surgery on her legs (with resulting scars) and is a much bigger size than me but loves her shorts. She looks great and fair play to her. Confidence will take you a long way. I reckon I worry too much.

Well mine don't look like that and I've had a lot of compliments about the Clarks sandals. And I am 49, I have no desire to dress like a teenager, stagger around in kitten heels (been there, done that in the 00s) or get plantar fasciitis from flat, unsupportive shoes.

Some of the most fashionable shoes this summer look like what my MIL would buy from Hotter.

www.elle.com/fashion/accessories/g7865/best-summer-sandals-slides/

It's very hard to get flattering trousers & shorts here. Below is the shape I like

www.marksandspencer.com/twill-printed-pleated-wide-leg-culottes/p/clp60732021#intid=pid_pg1pip41g2r4c1

Sandals are really important to often where a lot of women fall down but it's difficult if you need to do lots of walking.

I like K Jacques & Anciebt Greek Sandals.

This made me laugh hard! Bring back the emoji! 😂

Don't wear black or navy in the day time in the summer. Light and bright colours are far more flattering. Linen quickly looks a mess.

Reminds me so much of a holiday in Sardinia where DH thought he was looking pretty good in his sort of chino/linen shorts and short sleeved beige linen shirt.

The friends we were holidaying with told him he looked like Percy the Park keeper.

He def did 😂😂😂

It is a comment we use to this day!

Linen shorts are unbelievably unflattering, even on Claudia Scheffer, who was legs up to her armpits.
Tell your H if he ever takes a photo from/of your behind again, that will be the end of his life as he currently enjoys it

Don't worry about it if you were comfortable or doesn't matter! Looked back at some ny photos and i look like im going on an expedition. In one photo im rocketing dora the exploerer Vibes!! Honestly just makes me laugh

I don’t have the solution but I feel your pain.

No matter what I wear I end up feeling and looking like the human equivalent of bin juice.

Any way a look could potentially look ‘wrong’ is exactly how it will look on me.

A stylist could careful curate me an outfit but the moment it hangs off me, they’d wonder how such a lovely outfit can look like a collection of bin bags.

Some people just have some sort of ‘it’ factor when it comes to looking just right. I don’t have it. I have ‘sh’ as my prefix.

I have a perfectly average and petite shaped body it’s not that that messes things up. I just never look put together correctly. It sounds like you have a similar body type to me, so it’s not that which made your outfit look off key.

i wonder if it’s innate or a learned skill choosing things and wearing them well?

I grew up in mostly in hand me downs from a much larger cousin or female relatives cast offs so I never learned to ‘choose’ clothes and find my own style. I see people wearing a look and think yes! I like that! try and replicate it and I just look stupid.

I’ve given up trying now. I know every single suggestion on here would look crap on me even though they are perfectly nice items.

COS, at my age low 60’s.

I understand why no photos, but if ever we needed an artist in residence to illustrate some of these hilariously evocative descriptions! Taking notes ...

@MNHQ Please read this thread then give us back our laughing-with emoji!