Summer Fashion Disappoints

 And #Tuesday Twirl

Dear friends. We've had a very intense spell of hot weather. Temperatures in London reached 34 degrees at times. It was hotter than Spain and Greece! 

I don't mind now I have an AC unit in my bedroom (read more about this in my Review of May).

US and Australian readers probably wonder why we hate scorching temperatures in the UK. The majority of houses and flats was built to withstand cold weather. Very few have air conditioning,  although it's common in stores and businesses.  

It was better for taking pictures with a cloudy sky yesterday.  I nipped out in an outfit i wore last week, my preloved via eBay trousers with yellow top (Kettlewell).

I am not too keen on showing my arms TBH because while I try to keep them toned, I haven't been as diligent as last year. They are not yet brown and are, sadly, crepey. Yes, I should expect it at 65, but I don't like it. No amount of Besque Magic Oil or Dr Sister Crepe Rewind can turn back time. 

You can see how our remodelled garden is coming along. We got rid of the rotting decking and arbour, replaced the patio and fencing, created two new beds (in addition to the larger one you see here) and tidied up the garage and shed. I did some more planting at the weekend.  

I've planted two roses in a bed you can't see in these photos. I refer to them as "the Annes". It amuses me to have two redoubtable royals next to each other: Princess Anne and Anne Boleyn. 

The yellow top has two necklines which can be worn either way, plus it's double fronted (both sides) which is excellent for older women who want to have a smooth back without back fat or bra lines. This top is not reappearing this year, it would seem,  but the Darcey tops are also double fronted. 

Summer Fashion:  Even More Disappointing than Normal 

I'm quite frustrated looking for clothes to take on holiday. All the dresses are so long this year, which is no good for me at 5'3.  Mini length is plentiful but aimed at teenagers. Far too short. I love simple dresses with a nice shape, just below knee length, but it's a tall order. Admittedly I am very fussy. I'm looking for certain colours; I don't like linen, frills, ruffles, dropped waistlines; necklines which are too low and anything too fitted or tight. 

Preloved dresses are not always the answer because they're usually sleeveless and sometimes a bit too short. I am becoming more conservative as I get older, not wanting to be perceived as Mutton. 

The problem I have with dresses is replicated with shorts. I want shorts that are knee length,  good quality and flattering, in shades like cream and stone.  They all seem to be either linen (nooo) or cheap fabrics that are virtually see-through and will crease and show VPL

So I shall be going to Skiathos soon with very little that's new. Have you succeeded in finding new or preloved gems this summer?  If you have any suggestions for my dress and short dilemma, I'm all ears.

Linking with these fabulous sites.

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Now it's time for #TuesdayTwirl,  one of the last few remaining fashion link-ups. Other topics of interest to women are welcome, but no food recipes please. 

Last Week's Reader Favourite 

Penny from Conversations with an Older Woman and her post I'm Back after the Cruise!

Is This Mutton's Choices

Another Week in my Life from Nancy at Nancy's Fashion Style 

7 Days of Real Outfits by Cheryl at Cheryl Shops

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