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Style & beauty

What is it with British men in hot weather?

(180 Posts)
Casdon Wed 18-Jun-25 18:47:14

I was driving through town this afternoon, and as the traffic was queueing, I noticed what everybody was wearing on this beautiful sunny day. Most women looked smart, and as if they had dressed for the weather, but oh dear, the men. Some with no tops and their belly over their trousers, some with too tight nylon sports tops, some with what looked like their football shorts on with a long sleeved shirt. Suit wearers had taken their jackets and ties off, and had their long sleeved shirts loose. I didn’t see even one who looked half decent, no chinos, short sleeved shirts, tailored shorts, polo shirts, or sandals without socks to be seen. I think I live in a male style desert.

Calendargirl Fri 27-Jun-25 06:28:59

But what a waste of your time grumppa, ironing those long sleeves, then just creasing them all over again as you roll them up. 🤷‍♀️

However, as Iam64 says, your sleeves, arms, your choice.

smile

grumppa Thu 26-Jun-25 22:30:22

Since I do the ironing, I'll carry on as I am.

Jaxjacky Thu 26-Jun-25 22:11:32

MrJ wears short sleeved shirts all year round, but he does the ironing too, he’s 62 Grumpa. I however am with you generally, if I wear a shirt in the summer the sleeve either has an extra button to ‘hold’ the sleeve up, or I neatly fold it. That or a tee shirt.

Iam64 Thu 26-Jun-25 21:08:04

Grumpa - stay firm, your sleeves/arms and choice

Calendargirl Thu 26-Jun-25 17:52:58

Thank you for your response Grumppa.

Your reasoning for not wearing SS shirts is interesting.

I just think a crisp SS shirt looks so much nicer than a rolled up sleeve one in hot weather. Plus as I do the ironing, much easier to iron.

And with climate change, you will probably get lots of wear out of SS shirts.

Go for it!

👕

Allira Thu 26-Jun-25 15:04:51

Here!!

Allira Thu 26-Jun-25 15:04:38

Fluffyjumper

[@Claremont]

Hyacinth Bucket's brother-in-law was called Onslow.smile

Played by the wonderful Geoffrey Hughes.
Her is onslow and here is Geoffrey in the best of company 🙂
RIP Geoffrey.

Fluffyjumper Thu 26-Jun-25 14:53:51

[@Claremont]

Hyacinth Bucket's brother-in-law was called Onslow.smile

Allira Thu 26-Jun-25 11:24:53

I wonder if thst's why DH has refused to get his short-sleeved shirts out from winter storage?
Try saying short-sleeved shirts when you've had a few Bristol creams!

grumppa Thu 26-Jun-25 11:07:35

Calendargirl, on 20 June you questioned my objections to short sleeved shirts on men, even using the word daft. Three points.

One: my original objection probably dates back to a school uniform rule of the 1950s; these things get ingrained.

Two: over the past few decades the need for short sleeves to cope with the British weather has not justified buying a set of shirts that would not get much wear. Perhaps the times they are a'changing.

Three: vanity. In Jaques' three ages of man speech, Shakespeare's sixth age slips into "the lean and slippered pantaloon, ... his youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide for his shrunk shank..." Arms undergo a similar process as the years roll by, and as my biceps have declined from their former glory, I prefer to have my upper arm bulked out with a rolled sleeve, rather than hanging limply from a flapping short one.

Allira Thu 26-Jun-25 11:06:20

mum2three

You can wear what you wish in your own backyard but I think people should take the trouble to smarten up when in public. It makes a difference to the whole impression of a town. Where I live, the council takes a pride in keeping the town centre looking nice but it's spoiled by the people who just don't seem to care.

Oh dear, I'll take note! 😯

I am clean - does that count?

mum2three Thu 26-Jun-25 08:07:17

You can wear what you wish in your own backyard but I think people should take the trouble to smarten up when in public. It makes a difference to the whole impression of a town. Where I live, the council takes a pride in keeping the town centre looking nice but it's spoiled by the people who just don't seem to care.

Oreo Thu 26-Jun-25 08:05:03

If a relative had skin cancer, or you’re a redhead or have very fair skin then you need to be very careful.

As for being factored up from birth, that’s ridiculous.Being sensible is the way to go but do get some sun as we need it.

Oreo Thu 26-Jun-25 08:01:24

Allira

RosieandherMaw

This was the other one

Half of UK adults have some degree of vitamin D deficiency, data shows
Over 55s with low levels of vitamin D twice as likely to die prematurely
Vitamin D is made by the body under the skin when exposed to sunlight

Same publication!

Exactly!
We need some sun here in the UK.

Oreo Thu 26-Jun-25 08:00:09

escaped

^50 years ago we all had fewer clothes but as a general rule we were better turned out and looked much smarter,^

That could explain it somewhat. I remember 50 years ago people having one nice, expensive item of clothing that came out for special occasions, then just a couple of everyday things of reasonable quality. Now, a lot of it is cheap, ill-fitting stuff, and a whole wardrobe full of it too.

I agree, times have changed completely where clothes, especially good well fitting clothes are concerned.

Oreo Thu 26-Jun-25 07:58:11

Confession time, I have never used any sun creams or lotion.
I don’t sunbathe and if it’s really hot wear a floppy hat.

escaped Thu 26-Jun-25 07:19:45

🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈 wrong flipping thread. Sorry!

escaped Thu 26-Jun-25 07:18:50

DH struggled a few days ago with the word for foot and mouth disease in French. He knew it wasn't la maladie du pied et de la bouche, but no way could he get to la fièvre aphteuse. That's when you know whether you are fluent or not as I have no idea where I dragged it up from to help him out. I'm sure I never actually learnt the expression.

escaped Thu 26-Jun-25 07:10:04

50 years ago we all had fewer clothes but as a general rule we were better turned out and looked much smarter,

That could explain it somewhat. I remember 50 years ago people having one nice, expensive item of clothing that came out for special occasions, then just a couple of everyday things of reasonable quality. Now, a lot of it is cheap, ill-fitting stuff, and a whole wardrobe full of it too.

Allsorts Thu 26-Jun-25 06:50:43

Where I live I do see men dressed appropriately thank goodness. I do see a huge proportion of people have an obesity problem though.

Calendargirl Thu 26-Jun-25 06:31:39

Gr8dame

Also, 50 years ago, many people were not so overweight as nowadays.

Spilling out of one’s clothes is not a smart look.

Gr8dame Thu 26-Jun-25 04:22:53

Went shopping after I read this post and sat in my car for a while afterwards and could see exactly what you mean OP. Quite honestly it shocked me. I realised that although I agree to some extent with your views the standard of clothing in general has gone down hill.
50 years ago we all had fewer clothes but as a general rule we were better turned out and looked much smarter. We are beginning to look like the poor relations and I am left wondering how on earth this has happened.

Naticastyle Wed 25-Jun-25 13:53:58

British men often struggle with dressing for hot weather, possibly due to the country's generally cooler climate. They're less used to heatwaves, so styling can feel awkward or rushed. You’ll often see socks with sandals or heavy fabrics in the sun. It’s a mix of habit, humor, and limited summer fashion practice!

Allira Sun 22-Jun-25 11:01:54

I understand the need for being careful in the sun having spent much time in Australia.

DH's dermatologist has never warned him not to go out in the sun without protection, surprisingly. I have to nag remind him to wear a hat and he reluctantly uses sun lotion when I insist.

Whitewavemark2 Sun 22-Jun-25 06:46:31

Not even 15 minutes according to my oncologist.

Everyone from birth should be fully factored before going out.

My mother was a red head - had skin cancer, my sister and I very fair skinned with red/blond hair. Sister has melanoma, I have recovered from a less serious skin cancer.

Keep in the shade and never sun bath.

Vitamin D. Take supplements,