Anyone else hate dressing for this heat?

[BertieBottsEveryFlavourBeans]

I definitely do NOT have a "Summer body".

I'm a 16-18, fair skin that burns but never tans, I have no ankles to speak of, my tree trunk legs just merge from leg to foot so I always look ridiculous in sandals.

The worst part is my arms though, I will absolutely never leave my house wearing anything that doesn't have at least a sleeve to the elbow. My upper arms are disproportionately big in comparison to the rest of me, the fat on my upper arm hangs over my elbow and I HATE how my arms look in anything without sleeves or short sleeves. Even in this heat I will wear sleeves and I'd rather be really hot and uncomfortable than show my arms in public.

I get so jealous seeing people who are able to wear casual summer clothes and dress to be comfortable in this heat, but I just never can. Sorry for the self indulgent post 🤣 just looking for anyone who might also be waiting for Winter so they can whip out their woolly coat and polish up their winter boots!

Bertie I have 'known' you on here for years!

you're a fab person, don't let imperfection blight your life!!🤗

I used to have an attractive enough body, definitely more curves than lines! I basically pretend I still do to a large degree 🤣 & avoid the mirror that says otherwise.

it was all heading south anyway, but the stroke earlier in the year & all that comes with it, has robbed me if the muscle I did have, so I'm lighter. But much much saggier with the skin all heading south rapidly.

i wear shorts, if people don't like my legs they needn't look at them! I've lost my ankles too, meh. I'm just thankful I can walk & didn't lose the ability with the stroke.

I haven't found a vest top I'm happy to wear out of the house & my T-shirts are a bit hot as I buy them to be more like mini dresses than short t shirts.

I haven't worn dresses in years, mainly because I was bigger busted then grew a tummy, so they ended up looking like lamp shades 🤣🤣

I think I can be comfortable in 'every day' practical clothes (shorts t shirts) but not in clothes that are meant to look attractive if you know what I mean. I wish neither of us felt this way 😥

My instinct would be to say fuck it, let it all hang out. I know I don’t notice what other people are wearing/showing, unless it’s those bum crack leggings.

however could you wear a light cotton poncho or waterfall style sleeves?

ibe just seen someone shove a freezer ice pack down their top and I’m so doing this when I get home.

I cover my arms, especially in the sun. It's partly vanity, partly health related but it's also because, if they're uncovered on a day like this, they literally feel like they're cooking (which arguably they are).

My go-to solution in a heatwave is a linen shirt. Today's is M&S, sized up so loose fitting, barely touching my skin, and I can tell you, I feel far cooler and more comfortable than I would do in a sundress or a T shirt, let alone a vest.

I love it but I hate the ‘you can get away with dressing like that’ comments from some people. I’m a size 6 but so what. Bigger women should feel able to wear what they want.

I have to completely cover up because the heat and sun brings me out in hives otherwise. I absolutely hate trying to find suitable clothes for this weather. I look dreadful. I feel dreadful. And then someone will say ‘Ooh, what are you wearing all that for? Get a little dress on and enjoy the sunshine’ or something similar. If only I could. I wish I could enjoy this weather and look nice in it 😢.

For what it’s worth - and I mean this more nicely than it sounds - very few people in the UK look good in this sort of heat, I think. We just don’t get enough practice at it. I’ve noticed a couple of people looking cool and collected (mostly youngsters, damn them) but most of us are just dressed to survive. I’m currently sporting a pair of linen pj bottoms in a random floral print. I know it doesn’t stop you from feeling crap, but truthfully, nobody worth their salt is judging you. They’re just thinking about how quickly they can get home and cool down.

Having been very fat for many years and losing 5 stone recently this is the first summer I have been skipping about in jeans and a teashirt. I feel so free.
My upper arms are not fit for viewing so I do need a short sleeve but that's OK.
I've even been swimming.

I hate my arms and have started wearing uv sleeves. V. Popular in Asia. Bit like when Mary Portas brought out her armory range and sloggi did arm tights. Not too hot and means I can wear sleeveless dresses to the office., especially black sleeves with a black dress.

I love it, but I live in the Algarve so I’m used to it. I am quite ruddy and my face sweats easily, so I’m always scruffy-lookin’ no matter how much effort I put in, but I can’t stand dressing for the cold and wet. Layers, tights, coats, scarves, boots, umbrellas, hate them all. Might as well be in a straight jacket. I’m so glad to have sent most of my winter clothes to the charity shop.

I live in linen and double gauze muslin from May to October.

I've finally got to a size I'm happy with.....I still hate trying to dress in a heatwave though!
I'm often very active and walking miles as well so flattering doesn't come into it, it's all about comfort.
Today I was in converse, wide legged cropped trousers and an oversized XL t shirt. I've found I'd much rather cover up in cool layers rather then get my pasty white skin out to get burnt!

What are these sleeves that you speak of?! Off to have a Google!

You know what? I’m 14 stone. I’ve been living in baggy trousers and tops for years then this year I thought fuck it. I bought several nice dresses that are flattering and have worn them all summer. I’ve had so many compliments!!

Wear what you want to wear. Wear what makes you happy.

I hear you. I never reveal anything above the elbow or mid calf. My go to are big floaty dresses in natural fabrics. I’m wearing a cotton mid calf dress with loose elbow length sleeves today from Made in Italy. I’m as cool as it’s possible to be in this heat.

Have a look around you. The vast majority of people don't look like models & slim people can have "bad" legs or arms.

I am a size 20 but wear linen maxi A line dresses with 3/4 length sleeves - nearly to the floor as I have cankles but its lovely and cool! I hate the summer and can’t wait for autumn!

This heat has been forcing me to show a bit more flesh than I'd like. I prefer early twenties when I wear jeans, T-shirt, sandals and a cardi.
I think a hint of fake tan can work wonders.

Nope.
I spend more than 5 months of the year desperately trying to keep warm, wearing woollen tights underneath fleece-lined trousers, with a thermal baselayer, woollen jumper and heavyweight fleece on my top half. When I go out for a bike ride I pre-warm my socks and merino liner gloves to delay the point at which my extremities go numb. It takes me twice as long to get ready as it does at this time of year because of all the extra clothing. I dress and undress under the duvet when it gets really cold and I fret about energy bills. By March it feels as if I haven't been properly warm for months.

This morning I went for a run while it was still cool, wearing just a thin t-shirt and thin knee-length running tights (plus undies). It was lovely. I’ve spent the rest of the day in cropped cotton trousers and a linen t-shirt. All my favourite clothes are summer clothes.

The only downside to hot weather is that I have very hairy legs and I begrudge the time and effort to keep them sufficiently hair-free for public appearances (in the winter the extra insulation is welcome).

I dont get why people are dressing for others

Now I admit I will fix my hair and make sure by face isnt its usual blotchy self ( maybe needs a wee bit of coverage ) before I head out, but who the hwll is looking at me?

I went into town today were blue and white striped draw string shorts with a rusty orange vest and white crocs

Did I give one fiddlers? Not at all because I was dressed to enjoy an afeternoon and evening in the garden

And just to add to the horror , armpit's had HAIR

The women I smiled, nodded at, said hi too, were like le - dressed for the weather with what we had and didn't give a shit

Ok I admit Im pretty tiny , not always, and Ive the biggest gut on earth. What Ive learned is you look ( and feel ) a lot worse squashing yourself into uncomfortable clothe

Wear whatever you have that fits the temps, if you are comfortable you arent red in the face or constantly adjusting

Seriously no one is looking at you

Sometimes it's not about what you look like to other people though....it's what you look like to yourself.
I'm a size 10 but I have horrendous varicose veins (literally the worse I've ever seen) so I would be very uncomfortable showing my legs above mid calf.
I also have some pretty epic bingo wings from extreme weight loss but they don't really bother me so I happily get my arms out.

I’m a size 16 with fat legs that get puffy due to blood pressure tablets. I wear short denim shorts and vest tops couldn’t give a shit what others think as long as I am comfy

I wore an ankle length, long sleeved, cotton voile Cabbages & Roses dress. The sleeves can be pushed up a bit.

The cotton is as light as a feather, it's loose and floaty - perfect for this weather.

This is the sort of thing I wear
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yolev-Shawl-Arm-Sleeve-Cooling/dp/B09QKZFQFK/ref=sr_1_18?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.11NNc56_--ODHAWlzKvzbLLNZFkxCFNnInKm03nwBe9NFSzzRjpHAjoUJwq-mACda3L7rzJH7xLlw4cO4MmQChzgvWI_GdvXQI3SCt2PCVPonunvx8THDDxQXNMJZPpfHGPzGFnbXluerSaG70CmN7lm5QpHhQ8K5k48k6cUAfhWZDglZKb4DPYG-DpItVQNik1WyF99qXo9l25Gww4myCofGlTkKilMcZSA8Vp7PHfsmhEda8FZHoB2DdMQ5hEe60Dn9O6bpGHrnRqKT5ev-mQIiH5SZk9oma2YP4ifMgA.oupaVbp_6c60Hdnnr96Vj-93ywX1c7GA1IYk8WofJ1Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=UV%2BProtection%2BSleeves&qid=1752269584&sr=8-18&th=1

I find it so easy to dress in this weather. Wear either;
A maxi dress (a Lagenlook shape perhaps, in linen or cotton, with sleeves) OR wide leg pyjama type trousers with oversized shirt - again, cotton or linen.
This covers arms and ankles.
Then just accessorise! Big sunglasses, nice lipstick, big statement earrings, a nice bag or basket bag, and Birkenstocks or chunky flat sandals.

Can I ask where you get these dresses from please?

You must be my body twin, as the way you describe yourself is exactly how I would describe myself too. I always wear 3/4 length sleeves and cover up in the summer - it's really hard for me to find clothes that suit me as I'm such a strange body shape, so I completely understand how you feel.

I guess we shouldn't really do the negative self-talk OP, but it's hard not too isn't it?