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!

Most of my clothes are from TU or the charity shop or Italy/Spain

We have terrible shapes and cuts in this country, cheap shops abroad are much better.

I think 'holiday chic' is the biggest lie the fashion industry ever sold us.

I do get this but I also think it's very appealing, especially if you live somewhere chilly and rainy, to be somewhere warm or hot and have that feeling of wafting around in light fabrics and sandals, jumping in the sea then going for your dinner at an outdoor table in a lovely square or beachfront in a flowy dress, and it's still warm at 11pm. I love that - it may not always actually look chic, but it's an intoxicating feeling and I totally understand wanting to buy clothes for that and feeling wafty and effortless.

Just enjoy the illusion and don't look at the sweaty photos!

I'm increasingly coming to the opinion that it all boils down to posture.

Same, I can be dressed beautifully, but the second someone points a camera at me I look like I should be shouting at strangers in a bus station and muttering to myself about the government's mind control programme.😄

I think photos are always disappointing as you get older @ExcuseUs

In hate to say this - but the effortless - shorts and strappy camisole look only works if you’ve got a great posture and skin tone or youth. If you’re older, saggy skinny bit puffy then looking better on hols involves nicer more eye catching tops, and better fitting or well cut longer dresses/ linen shorts or skirts, cute bag/ flip flops/ sandals good jewellery. hair pulled off your face and really good shades.
i have learned this to my detriment! X

100% agree with this. I love being on holiday and swishing around patisseries and restaurants in elegant dresses and shades a la Juliette Binoche. But you need to carefully curate when photos are taken. The beach is great but no way is anyone taking a picture of me there with my greasy, sunscreened, blinding white flesh, soggy bikini, red face, baseball cap and birkenstocks.

Black always looks great against a tan. As does olive green and burgundy. Ideally you wear these colours with plain, tan leather sandals & bag, or a simple basket bag. Anything gold or silver should be restricted to just your jewellery. Classic, over sized Jackie O sunglasses always look stylish.

A loose, billowy silhouette only works if you're slender underneath it all. It's the contrast, you see. If you're carrying weight you need more structure, a silhouette that skims, but not clings.

Lastly, a professional pedicure (please, no cutesy nail art) should be mandatory if you're getting your feet out. I have complex PTSD from being exposed to MIL's hideously gnarly toes and cracked heels on a regular basis.

You need to wear colours that work well on YOU

Black always looks great against a tan. As does olive green and burgundy. Ideally you wear these colours with plain, tan leather sandals & bag, or a simple basket bag.

I'm a classic pink-toned fair haired English woman. None of those colours look good on me. I need gelato stand shades - pistachio, bubblegum pink, baby blue and white. Everything else I agree with - especially the pedi.

ETA - you did say 'against a tan' so ignore me there.

I think keeping it simple is the way. Block colour, no garish patterns. Simple jewellery. Shorts as short as you can go, regardless of leg shape. Dresses are easy as it's just one thing to think about.

Agree with PP who said to go on holiday with an empty suitcase and stock up. Summer sales start mid July here in Italy and pure cotton is easier to find than in the UK.
The only shorts I can look at in the mirror are PJ style mid thigh made of cotton jersey, not linen. Dresses 90% of the summer.
7/8ths wide trousers and floppy moccasins in pastel colours scream “British tourist” (sorry but I live in a cruise port and see them a lot).

Decide if you have warm or cool colouring. Many times shops offer the same dress in red/brown or green/blue. Choose wisely. Black and navy suit both. Beige does not. And butter yellow? Nobody looks good in that!

I know a tiny size 8 (?) Italian lady who always looks lovely. She doesn’t do boxy and even her T-shirts are V neck with darts (bust or abdomen) sewn into the front to give them shape. It’s obvious she knows about garment construction and uses an iron. Swishy hair, a tan (fake is fine) and quality shoes help too.

Yes bust darts, they make a difference. Rarely see them here

Get rid of the black, the linen and the unflattering shorts.

Floaty dresses, pretty sandals, lighter colours.

A flowy black dress in summer can be great, and I like linen too. I agree brighter/lighter dresses are also nice, and the right sandals will add to an outfit (likewise great shades, scarf and/or bag, jewellery and classy toenails) but I wouldn't ditch the black if it suits you. It's great for sweaty, dusty city or sightseeing days out.

I actually am an adult in Scouting, but my holiday fitted knee length black shorts, floaty white shirt and red sunhat didn't make me look like a Scout Leader but instead, a crane (the bird rather than the construction equipment, at least).

I have so many issues with colours. If I dress for hair, skin, eyes I have to admit that reddish brown, pink and blue don’t look good together.
if I wear white I look like I’m dying, black I look like I’m already dead. I’m so pale that I had a passport photo taken against the white background and all that was visible was my hair and eyes (I have no eyebrows because chemotherapy).

This. If you felt chic, trust your gut. The camera lies!

Love this description.

I also can't pull off shorts - any shorts tbh. I am relatively slim but longer shorts make me look like my own mother, which I am sorry Mum but I am not prepared to accept just yet, and short shorts give me thunder thighs. I'd stick to dresses but I like being able to pull on a pair of shorts and a top after a session of lounging by the pool!

If Im on holiday, Im often tempted to think "screw it. Ill never see any of these people again and no one apart from me takes photos so there will be no evidence" and then remember that on more than one occasion Ive bumped into someone I know in some random place.

I also worry that if I start thinking like that its the thin edge of the wedge...

But then again, I look like a sweaty awful mess (occasionally in a pretty dress) most of summer so really, is there any difference?

Sure deck your lower limbs in pants;
Yours are the limbs, my sweeting.
You look divine as you advance –
Have you seen yourself retreating?
Ogden Nash

Not terribly helpful, I know, but I always bear these lines in mind when I consider wearing shorts.

@GetDressedYouMerryGentlemen She might be a size 8 but be podgy (she probably isn't). I'm a size 8 and am definitely not thin or skinny. There is no way I could ever do effortlessly mediterranean chic.

This has made me weep with laughter! As did the first thread resurrected from Classics.

I do wear shorts, and I'm nearly 70. All mid-thigh length and slightly too large so they are comfortable in hot weather. One olive with tiny flowers, one white with a black geometric print, and some printed with tiny lemons, which look yellow from a distance. Always worn with a vest top and long sleeve (rolled) shirt, unbuttoned top and bottom. Good posture and Pilates does the rest. A random stranger complimented the outfit in the street on holiday.

Sorry, I can’t offer any styling advice. No matter what I wear or how much it costs, I always look like a bag of spuds tied in the middle😂

And taking y OH clothes shopping is disastrous…..I’m barely 5 feet tall and a size 10 to 12 but he used to be married to a larger person who wore size 24 ….his choice of clothes for a woman reflect this immensely.

Shorts are a nightmare, I’ve given up and stick with linen trousers or 3/4 length capris. My combination of wide hips / skinny legs - I look like an entrance in a knobbly knees competition / scout master. 🙄

Interestingly I’ve got rid of all my coloured and printed clothes as they were similar to what you’ve posted and made me feel so not together and felt like I stood out as an unstylish English tourist. I’ve replaced it all with plain colours, black, khaki, cream, white, navy. No prints at all. Just well cut basics. I’ve come back from holiday and for the first time felt really the plain neutral palate was far for flattering and elegant