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!

Omg first time I’ve laughed out loud reading a post

it was the companion!

I would kill to see size 8 with olive skin…

surely some chic can be obtained with that figure!!

im jealous

Oh I feel this, went out on Sunday linen trouser, lovely top, even threw on a necklace and walked past a shop window and looked like a weeble... I also always look really sweaty and red faced, but at home in my mirrors i don't....

My two cents would be, no black. It’s not a summery colour. If you’ve olive colouring, white could look amazing.

Sorry but 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Plenty French people wear prints

People talking about sizes, a size 8 doesn't mean you look great in everything. For one height matters but most importantly the key to looking great in clothes is good proportions.

Someone who you notice who looks good in clothes generally has good proportions.

I must be the only one who prefers summer wardrobes to winter wardrobes. I've never got the hang of layering so in winter I look like a bag lady whereas I find it so easy just to chuck on a dress, a pair of flip flops and a necklace.

I do agree with PPs that if you can't be arsed to iron (fair enough) then I retract my previous linen recommendation. I often iron my holiday clothes but that's mainly because I'm a tight arse and will cram everything into a tiny suitcase so it comes out looking like used wrapping paper.

I wish I was stylish enough to wear bubblegum pink and loud prints without looking like I'm having a midlife crisis but sadly never cracked that one.

My life hack for summer is tennis dresses and skirts. There's lots of flattering styles nowadays - the material is made to be breathable, and the shorts are built in so no chance of accidentally flashing anyone.

Plus I put my keys and phone in the little pockets in the side legs of the shorts when I'm just quickly popping out and don't want to carry a bag.

Follow Styled by Susie on Instagram. I had an analysis done just before I was 40 and it's changed my life!

Maybe check out this stylist for ideas. She has some great suggestions on her page: UK Fussy x Holiday - Moonsift

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

You’re thinking of smart casual.

OMG
TENNIS DRESSES!!
This is genius

Oh that’s hilarious 😆

It’s all about cut and fit. ALL about that. And how the material falls and moves.

Lots of available summer clothes tend to be quite baggy. I’m not saying clothes should be tight, but they need to flatter your body shape.

For starters, if you have a nice waist, check out Dancing Leopard Dove Dress. Affordable, gives you a nice shape, works day and night, comfortable and breezy. Everytime I see someone wearing it, I go ‘yup she’s nailed it’ in my head as people’s eyes turn her way.

If you are youngish (by that I mean under 50), don’t feel like you need to look modest and like your mum, embrace the more fashion forward looks - at your size you can definitely pull them off.

One of the best breezy summer dresses I’ve owned was a white shortish linen shirt dress with a belt. Compliments every time.

If you’ve got a waist, own it. If you’ve got great legs, great boobs, arms, whatever, own them. Don’t succumb to the pressure to cover up and wear loose clothing only.

For starters, if you have a nice waist, check out Dancing Leopard Dove Dress. Affordable, gives you a nice shape, works day and night, comfortable and breezy. Everytime I see someone wearing it, I go ‘yup she’s nailed it’ in my head as people’s eyes turn her way.

Really?

Just googled this, looks like a dressing gown.

The only shorts I wear are distressed denim ending approx 1/3 way down my upper leg - show as much leg as possible to elongate. I wear them with silk or satin cami tops - never a t shirt or vest top.
I never wear linen - it looks shocking on me - ditto anything baggy.
Mainly wear midi length dresses with a thigh high split again to elongate the leg. Mostly wear plain, not printed dresses with some kind of cutaway at the waist as very flattering.

Sometimes wear midi wrap satin skirts with side split with a cami.
Always strapless or asymmetric neckline on dresses.
I always wear strappy flat neutral/tan sandals as they go with everything.
Dressing for holiday is hard but a dress a day keeps the stress away 😁

If you are youngish (by that I mean under 50), don’t feel like you need to look modest and like your mum, embrace the more fashion forward looks - at your size you can definitely pull them off.

And if you aren't under 50, resign yourself to looking modest and like your mum?

Just looked at the Dancing Leopard dresses. Thank goodness I'm "too old" for them. Recycled polyester and hideous.

You sound Autumn-y so olive green, dark blue, terracotta, maybe some brights?

Avoid black, any vest tops on their own (fine under a shirt) and beige shorts.

Floaty linen shirts, dresses, wide culottes trousers. Gold shoes and accessories

Surely ignorance is bliss 😂

The best thing for looking good in shorts and wafty holiday clothing is being tall and thin unfortunately, I've given up.

Unless one is blessed with spectacular legs, my view is that most women should avoid shorts after 35, possibly ever! Dresses and skirts are more flattering if you choose the length that suits you and are usually much cooler in the heat.

I think it’s important to go for colours that suit you in the unforgiving light of the sun and avoid patterns especially in cheap fabrics.

Just read your colour dilemma. What colours make you happy?

Usually there is a shade of turquoise/ aqua / greeny blue that suits everyone. Same for coral. But you’ll have to search.
Or stick to ‘your’ neutral - French navy, denim blue, beige or whatever and add your happy colour in jewellery or bag etc ?

Agree. In some Mediterranean countries all black attire is associated with mourning. In Spain, it is called 'vestir de luto.' I know this after a friend packed a suitcase full of long black dresses (linen) and the receptionist asked me at the hotel after a few days if she was recently widowed...

Navy, Dark Olive... just two great alternatives to Black.

Neutral colours always work better than jazzy colours and large prints. It's also a good idea to not pack too many colours (maximum of 3 really, and they need to be complementary colours).

My Holy Grail shorts are GAP slim cut offs in denim. I'm pushing 55 but my legs are still good, thank God, and after losing 3 stones I now have a thigh gap which helps.