Tips for hot weather.

[Sandysandybeaches]

I should start by saying that I am one of those people.

I was in my local (affluent for context if that makes a difference) and as always I was looking out for people who looked good so I could steal some ideas. There were none!! Everyone looked a right state - I also appreciate that many people don’t care, but some do and, like me, need help. So I started thinking about some rules - add or disagree, but I think most people need help! Especially need more ‘do.., ‘ tips.

1. No crop trousers!
2. Nearly everyone needs a better bra.
3. Check your back view in the mirror- many people had visible pants.
4. If you’ve got bigger boobs and a bit of a tum cropped trousers and a t-shirt that isn’t tucked in is very unflattering.
5. longer summer dresses that I keep reading on here are dated look nicer than many other options.

edited for typos

Men are a bigger problem in a heatwave. Bare chests should be banned, far too many sandals and long socks, "amusing" tropical shirts , great big white hairy legs in far too short tshorts, patterned boxers are NOT outdoor wear, and baseball caos always look stupid on grown men.

The designs in mainstream shops these days are awful. I dont know what's happened to British fashion but it's lost itself.

I'm in the South of France at the moment. We are staying on a campsite and I notice that nobody is attempting to look stylish.

We were out for lunch in Carcassonne a couple of days ago. DH took a picture which included my back view. You know what? I didnt look too bad: dark denim knee length shorts, sleeveless mid blue tunic top, dark blue trainers (a lot of cobbles to manage).

Shorts and top are pure cotton, made by me. They fit me the way I want.

The main thing is that this is the first holiday since I lost 8 stone. My internal thermostat is set for more insulation. I am finding the heat just fine to cope with. So I am not looking uncomfortable.

i said I am one of the people who doesn’t look good - I find it hard to dress for heat and still look smart-ish. On my observation many people feel the same. I also said that many people don’t care - this tread is not for them! If people are happy with what they are wearing then good for them - no need to be offended if you genuinely don’t care what people think. I do want to look reasonably professional without melting and having seen no inspiration in town asked for advice hear. If you aren’t interested in clothes why read a s&b thread?

My summer fashion "rules"

1- Am I comfortable?
2- Am I cool?
3- Am I fashionable?

I couldn't give a shiny shit about 3.
Honestly, nobody else cares what your wearing either.

I suppose it depends where you shop. There really is a huge variety.

I definitely read the OP more as "we're all in this heat looking generally a bit rubbish, how can we look better?"

I was making similar comments yesterday. I think I just end up looking a bit weird. I was just amused that only about 2 women at the village by the sea actually looked stylish. They both had on blue blouses (different styles) and cream wide legged trousers that hung well, not cropped.

@ViciousCurrentBuni know, that was my point 😂

As this is on trending I don’t anticipate anymore useful tips! Shouldn’t have posted just as everyone woke up!

Yes, exactly what I meant!! And I put in s&b deliberately, not wanting an AIBU gunfight!!

Oh yes, cropped trousers are mostly horribly unflattering! Wide wafty trousers are fashionable so embrace them!

I totally agree with you, OP. Some really bad clothing on display. To notice this does not = “Brit bashing”

in my view, the things that help, for adult women are:

avoiding skin tight clothing of any sort. Doesn’t have to be loose and flowy, necessarily, but definitely not clingy. Especially not on both halves

straps wide enough to cover bra straps

taking some care in understanding your best features and displaying those. Showing less of the bad ones or at least making some effort to (for example) get rid of dry heels, and definitely not too much flesh in general

having some idea of what’s in style. Sleeveless tunics and cropped trousers are out not it

cheap fabrics look cheaper as you age. Get things made of thicker material. It drapes better and is more flattering

It’s really not that hard. I am always amazed at how we’re prepared to let it all hang out, or think that we can look good in primark cycling shorts in middle age. Not possible

Well you didn't construct your Op that way,
it just read why are women so unstylish with their pants on show ,

Britons Bashing is totally acceptable on MN, like white, men, are acceptable, if you change 'Brits', itself insulting, to other abbreviations the heavens of MN would fall in!
In answer to the initial whine, get about more, beyond Dover/Stansted!

People need to stop hanging on to their clothes for years. It's far, far better to buy a couple of good outfits each summer and wear them endlessly than to rotate a large wardrobe of things that are up to 15 years old

I usually dress alright.

but do you know what I realised. The hot weather creeps up on us without warning, and just as our houses are not built for heatwaves, neither are our wardrobes.

Even in the fashion scene the UK is known for its random layering because we dress for unpredictable weather. We never know if the heavens will come down in the evening, or if it will feel like winter after 2 hours.

And most of us have spring or autumn clothes because that’s the kind of weather we are used to.

The biggest thing I see these days are clothes that are ill fitting and the wrong style for body shapes. I don’t wear crop trousers as I’m short so don’t suit me. I prefer pretty summer/ maxi dresses. I also had a colour analysis so know which tones to wear. Was in M&S yesterday and tried on a few lovely dresses (would’ve bought them all if money was no object).

I’d just say that unless you’re young/reasonably young, and slim, most flesh is better covered up.

I never quite understand the mindset that says, the way to keep cool when it’s hot, is to display as much skin as possible, so the sun can beat down on it.

(OK, some people are anxious to get a tan, but it’s often all too apt to turn into a hot pink burn.)

In the heat my hair goes frizzy and I have to be careful not to go red from catching any sun. I really don't tan well like some people do.

I find the heat really difficult. My hair reacts and can go frizzy, getting sweaty doesn’t help it , and it has to go up, which doesn’t suit me as much as it does loose, and accentuates the slightly thinner patch on one temple. Working downwards, I haven’t found an eyeliner that stays in place in high temperatures, so I usually don’t wear it when it’s very hot.
I prefer to cover the top part of my arms, though this isn’t a must, and then react to my own sweat, so a bra which gets damp is difficult. I change it 3 times a day, but under boob itch is an issue. Anything fitted around the middle is uncomfortable for the same reason. Pants.. well let’s not even go there.
Mostly what works is a loose cotton flowy long dress ( forgot to mention the swelling on my ankles gets worse in the heat), worn with Wirapa shorts and the lightest bra I can find. Trainers for work ( teacher so not allowed to wear sandals) but flip flop style sandals otherwise. Plus eyebrow pencil and red lip balm.
Im trying shorts but they feel uncomfortable round the middle, so am staying with the maxi dresses.

I saw a woman at the local theatre the other day who looked fresh and quite stunning in what was a fairly dated outfit of flowery midi dress and white trainers, but it was hot pink flowery, she had a light tan and light makeup, in her 40s , and looked just lovely. Everyone was smiling at her because she looked so bright and beautiful and of course she was very smiley back. That just added to her radiance.
So I would say don’t worry too much about current fashion, even though this is the S&B board.

Anything but those ridiculous 'balloon' trousers. Nobody looks good in them - even size 6, 5' 10" models!

I went to a concert in my local park yesterday. Everyone looked bloody fabulous cause the sun was out , the music was good, the drinks were flowing and all were smiling. Hope that helps.

I was wearing my favourite cropped white trousers and rocking my untucked t shirt. 🥰 shaking my saggy and decrepit body on the dance floor, I wonder why you care so much.

The quality of fabric in most high street places is dire. Add to that bad cuts, too much, too exposed and often painful looking pink flesh, it's not easy for a lot of Brits

The only rule is that all men must wear tops

I've just returned from Rome. Almost all the women were wearing maxi or long midi dresses in white or s very light colour. They mostly looked stunning and cool, even though it was very hot weather.