Overhaul (with long sleeves) needed

[smeraldina]

Hello there.

Right, things got so bad that I threw a shoe across the room, in a Miss Piggy like strop and almost refused to leave the house
First baby born last summer - so haven't bought any new summer clothes for two years. Didn't buy many then, to be honest.
I'm really fairskinnned and have had a melanoma on my arm, so need long sleeves.
I was attempting to redeem the practicality of the only sunsafe outfit in my wardrobe for a hot day (rolled up jeans, vest top, light checked longsleeved shirt tied in a knot) by putting on a pair of pretty wedge sandals, then realised I wouldn't be able to pick up the baby in those shoes. So had to put on a pair of wintry black ballet flats which felt all hot and sticky. I basically looked like Huckleberry Finn gone wrong.
Cue thrown shoe and bad language.

So I basically need to find light, summer tops with properly long sleeves, or light cardigans, or dresses, with long sleeves (or dresses with no sleeves with cardigans). Or something else?
Oh, and I need a better pair of flat summer shoes too - not too sensible, but sensible enough that I can hold a baby while wearing them.

I keep going into Zara as I like their clothes but I can't find anything there and I don't have a great deal of time as I'm either at work or with the baby who HATES shops. Don't blame him - so do I.

I'm a size 8/10 ish on top 10 ish on the bottom and would rather not wear a kaftan but that seems to be the only long sleeved option about. Or a tent. Or I'll just sit in a darkened room.

Trying to control strop, in hope of help....

Sx

OK - first off am confused as to why you can't hold a baby wearing wedge heeled sandals - or course you can!

But if you really feel you can't then there are loads of gladiator sandals around in all colours/budgets.

Re. long sleeves, this shirt is really pretty.

Whistles long sleeve dress also in shops in white

Light linen cardigan

Pretty sandals

Any of these any good?

Hi there! Thanks so much for replying. The wedges are very thin ones, that's all. I'd be fine if it was just dinner in a restaurant, but walking round the garden at a family barbecue, with heavy baby on hip, and it felt slightly rocky.

Shirt looks good - possibly a bit more formal than I am. But good for work maybe. Whistles dress is GORGEOUS but the sleeves are 3/4 length - melanoma was way down the arm, near the wrist (the bit that women's tops never seem to cover). Cardigan good -- possibly looking for something a bit slimmer on the body/sleeve. Sandals are spot on.

lightweight cardi in tonnes of colours

long sleeve dress?

Linen shirt-dress

Nice but £££

Toast shirt dress

Another shirt dress

Shirt dresses could work well with leggings.

lol @ huckleberry finn gone wrong
but i second that question- Does it HAVE to be long sleeves? Do long sleeves offer that much protection?

poor you, i suffer with heat rash so have to keep covered....i had to buy lots of kaftan type tops from m&s last year, they did have lots of colours, full sleeves, think they were about £12, no idea what they have in store now.

This year new look have done a boyfriend cardi with long sleeves, its really thin cool material, not woolen, in lots of colours, have stocked up and have been wearing long vest tops with one of those cardis if i have to go out.

As for shoes, i carry my 4 month old in a sling, no way would i be stable in wedges.....few days ago i got some fitflops, so comfy, think you would have to do alot of walking to see any bum toning.

I think the current best advice is that clothes are always better than suncream - however high the factor. Besides which, I hate having to remember to apply it. Not saying that I have (or will) always cover up but it would be nice to have some attractive options. Unless they're fairly short, shirt dresses always make me look a bit like I'm wearing a sack; I'm small of nork, and 5'5. Never really cracked dresses to be honest. Best shape for me seems to be slash/boat neck above the knee. Or something fitted around the body area - so also look ok in vest tops and jeans. Which is why I was on the hunt for fitted lightweight cardis to throw over 'em. Uniclo cardis are great colours but might the fabric might be a bit hot?

My basic winter staple for home has been jumper, denim or black skirt above the knee, tights/leggings, frye boots, or black slouchy boots, biker jacket

Work - my best (though still dubious) outfit is a tulip shaped linen skirt (old one from Zara), with stretchy Isabella Oliver left over scoop neck maternity tops and boots/heels.

So I'm usually wearing something shortish or relatively clingy.... and look dishevelled

Neither look works in the heat...

I'm being tricky, I know....

Thanks miche8 !- cross posted - will check out New Look....