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!

The only shorts that I find flattering are sporty, loose shorts that are cut slightly higher at the sides.

😂

Awww, but PtPK is so lovely.

Didnt there used to be someone on Blue Peter this was said about, one of the male presenters, it rings a bell. He always looked a bit of a mess no matter what he wore. I dont know why that is springing to mind.

This is why I don't like having my photo taken - I go out thinking I look ok and then for some reason a pudgy short frump appears in the picture.
I have taken to avoiding photos and living in the fantasy world that I look marvelous😅

Agree , people who look chic in linen have been ironing it, not draping it over the back of a chair and hope the creases kindly drop out because they love you.

Or they are Amal Clooney, who has probably never ironed anything in her life but has helpful people who do it for her. In my dreams I look like Amal Clooney, but then I have a great imagination.

Absolutely nothing wrong with those sandals for most of us over 40 in the real world - I’m 63 , so yep I am the mum of grown ups , my friends in their early 40s wear similar if walking around - also flat toe post sparkly type ones too - have lots of those , but not great for walking around - ok if Sat in a cafe or round pool etc

I probably have a different body shape to you but totally disagree - I don’t think loose shirts are flattering at all and hide the waist which is most people’s smallest part. Not that we have to wear flattering things at all… but I feel absolutely huge in a loose top half.

One trick with shorts is to tie (quite loosely and elegantly!) a cotton sweater or cardigan or shirt around your waist so it covers your bottom. Or wear a very lightweight long shirt (open).

Dropped shoulders also a big no no. I wont buy anything now that doesnt have proper shoulder seams or whatever the term is.

I was thinking of getting a pair of short but after reading your thread I’m reconsidering. You say you’re size 8 with olive colouring and still don’t look good in them. There’s no hope for me.

I always look like I’m wearing the fabric equivalent of a rubber ring if I do that 😂

I have decided to stop looking at photos of myself, and be content with thinking I look fabulous.
I avoid strappy or sleeveless tops like the plague though. They don't even suit lots of women under 25, let alone over 25.
Shorts may not suit anyone, but it's summer.

I think shorts need to be straight, rather than going in or out as they go down the leg. Flimsy material can drape a bit more. Also yes, shorter looks better than long.

Couldn’t you just say (in your head) ‘fuck it I’m on holiday and who cares what people think’

dress for yourself, not for the photos and whether people think you look good. A genuine smile in plain clothes is better than hiding your anxiety behind a fake one in pretty clothes.

Completely disagree about colours. I think black and navy in the summer are very chic. Plus, if you sweat a lot like I do, it's much less obvious than if I was wearing a sky blue or pink or something.

I’ve spent a bit of time studying the people who are nailing this look. For me it’s all in the layering and accessories. A floaty shirt over the top, a belt, jewellery, hat, Statement bag etc. Not necessarily all at once!

Also cover up sensitive bits as red burnt bits of skin don't look great!

I wear black and navy in the summer too, creases are less obvious and any bits of you that are not quite flat are better disguised than in neutral fabrics. Im very pasty so the contrast is nice, lighter colours just look bland and washed out with me.

I also dont agree with the floaty shirt/top thing, I said on another thread that this oversized baggy look is great if you are young and thin, but once you get older it just looks scruffy, I learned this the hard way, thinking I looked stylish but didnt.

I wear black a lot & think it looks good. Beige doesn't look good on many, white is often see through & I tend to spill stuff!

There really should be a lol button. I lost weight last year, bought all new clothes, looked and felt amazing in the mirror - fastforward to the photos, lumps, bumps, i look hideous. Things I thought looked breezy, look like a tent. I got some straight black maxi dresses, can't go wrong with a maxi dress, beg to differ, the fact my DH, the photographer he is, just stands and holds the button on the phone so I get 100 photos of me in different positions trying to tell him to f*ck off and give me my phone back

Linen I love but not trousers because you end up baggy arsed and saggy knee'd

I have one dress that nails "effortless chic", is flattering, wafts pleasingly around and looks perfect with summery sandals, shades and a bag. It's the plainest, simplest, sleeveless, slightly loose, black viscose jersey midi dress, with modest side slits, from H&M that cost £19 or something. I've never been able to find anything else that works in quite the same way, even things that seem similar.

I do wear other things because I like prints and colours, linen trousers etc but it amazes me how this one dress actually flatters and looks cool and I can't figure out what the magic formula is.

Re shorts, I can relate to the camp commander look, but I've found that shorter shorts actually look better on me than longer ones. I don't wear them a lot anyway but I might at a festival etc. I'm pear-shaped so always thought to cover up my thighs but I've found that loose linen, cotton or sweat shorts that are a few inches long and don't cut your upper leg in half look loads better and don't give the same "Benny Hill as a scout" vibes.

I think 'holiday chic' is the biggest lie the fashion industry ever sold us. How is one supposed to look stylish on holiday when you are either on the beach, slathering on suncream and trying to stop sand getting everywhere, parading around cathedrals and markets for 10 hours at a time, fielding toddlers at a water park, hiking, biking, diving and lugging around a fuck ton of guidebooks, suncream, water bottles, inflatables, snacks and dry robes. It's not actually possible. For those occasions, it is very important you only take pictures of scenery and your children.

In the evening, put on a nice dress, find the most flattering light you can in a restaurant and have a photo taken then FROM THE FRONT. Many of the stylish European women you see abroad will be residents and so not having to take part in multiple physical activities with only the contents of a 22kg Jet 2 luggage allowance to clothe them.

More seriously I agree with the PP who said that shorts should be accompanied by long sleeves. I love a long sleeve cotton top / short shorts combo - I burn easily but have great legs so it's win win.

I think it's also ridiculous to stay hyper on trend on holiday. My favourite summer outfit is a thick Boden cotton long sleeved Breton minidress which was last fashionable about 10 years ago. I don't care. I look great in it, it's comfortable, practical, stops me burning, flatters my figure and suits most holiday occasions - I can wear it to a waterpark or to a nice restaurant.

Also there's nothing wrong with prints and colours. It's ridiculous to go through a summer wearing black and beige as if you're on war rations. Summer was made for tropical colours and florals and fruit motifs and gingham and candy stripes. Yes, it is nice to sport a black linen midi dress, straw fat and leather sandals and pretend you're Sophia Loren on occasion but mix it up a bit. My favourite holiday pics on the Amalfi coast in a neon pink midi and in Spain with bright orange minidress. Holiday dressing is supposed to be fun, not doing a bad imitation of a mythical euro chic matron in beige linen.

That video woman has some good general advice but her outfits are blah. One of them looks like Martha Stewarts prison wear.

I live in the real world and wouldn’t wear them they just look really aging
but that’s just my preference
I’m the mother of a 30 year old so probably in the right age category and I still wouldn’t been seen dead in them and neither would any of my friends

Oh god I hear you, I bought a few floaty white dresses and straw bag and felt very Stevie nicks ( until I seen the photos) how do stylish people do it

TU clothing should have all that covered

The video 😂