Casual comfortable summer dresses (for holidays / travelling)

[Aridane]

Looking to get some lightweight casual and loose fitting summer dresses for overseas travel. In cotton or cotton / linen blend. For hot weather! And for such dresses not to be skimpy or overly revealing. And for me to be able to stride around, going up steps etc – so not slim fitting.

Am struggling a bit to find this holy grail of clothing (though have picked up one from a market stall!).

Any ideas as to where to look (have tried White Stuff, M&S and my local Tesco – my usual fall backs)?

Just to add to my rigorous requirements, I'm a shortie at 5'2".

Many thanks.

I get mine from the GAP outlet shops.

Full price, they're a bit expensive for what is essentially a long t-shirt, but I have a variety of lengths in above the knee, calf length and maxi dress (I'm 5'7 with most of my height in my thighs so what is not far off indecently short and only fit for the beach on me is probably knee length on you).

I throw them on over a bikini and live in them on beach holidays and they're also fine for wandering around cities etc and they're good quality and wash well.

www.gap.co.uk/gap/women/clothing/dresses-and-jumpsuits/t-shirt-and-knit-dresses/?parentCategory=57372

Fat face and Monsoon might be a good places to look.

If you're okay with viscose rather than cotton, take a look at Dorothy Perkins. They have petite maxi dresses which are very comfortable.

Did you look in the M&S beachwear section?

I bought this one from Amazon a couple of years ago. It's super comfy and I always feel good in it: www.amazon.co.uk/Meaneor-Womens-Ruffle-Mexican-Peasant/dp/B01LZXOA1E?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I’ve had several nice dresses from sainsburys over the years and have bought a couple for this year too - they often have several in a nice heavyweight jersey fabric that’s not too flimsy and longer skirt lengths have slots to make it easier to move around.

And they have their 25% off offer on this week!

Next have a good range of linen mix dresses. Loose sleevless a line shapes. Nice colours, worth a look

I LOVE the Next linen dresses and have a few of them. Not quite loose enough though

(maybe I should size up )

My mam got me two from next last year and they are so comfy! I love not having to wear a bra on holidays and these dresses allow that with out anyone else knowing. They are well made and good material (will wash well). Loads of different styles too!

www.next.ie/en/g9046s5#324478

Place you probably haven't looked.."Mountain warehouse" bought a jersey dress ( orchid) and a canvas type cotton one ( Newquay) and practically lived in them last year's hot summer..pretty sure they wash and dry great on a hanger too as I didn't get an iron out until the weather went cold.

Made in Italy

Gorgeous linen clothes, I usually find items in boutique type shops, or market stalls. They are however online.

Depending on where you are travelling to, I'd buy my clothes there. You'll get more choice.

Tkmaxx have a huge selection of long summer dresses. I'm 5ft3 and found several which were spot on. Visit more than one store if you can and their online selection is good too.

This may be the thread you want, OP

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3548554-Is-this-THIS-years-School-Run-Dress

Remember, this is specific MN jargon/in-joke, and is nothing whatsoever to do with an actual school run

But it is the annual thread about what are the best easy-to-wear dresses of the year

my favourite summer dresses are from fat face and mantaray. Theyre always a good length and fit my boobs and hips

Actually, Seasalt might be a good place to look. They started making petites recently.

I spend my entire summer floating around in maxi dresses - they may be long but the looseness of the fabric keeps your legs and girly bits cool and I generally go for halter or collar neck so bare shoulders. I’ve bought some lovely ones last year and this year from Little Mistress, BooHoo, Monsoon, Sainsbury’s and H&M. I always get complimented on how elegant and stylish I look I think there’s just something about swishy fabric and being summery yet mostly covered that looks effortlessly chic.

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but I love these summer dresses from eBay. I've bought one to wear this summer and I'm currently 27 weeks pregnant I just went up a size. It's got a stretchy back and nice and floaty. rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F163642862115

I've recently bought some lovely striped midi dresses from warehouse (I'm the same height as you) and some really nice ones from H&M.

https://www.warehouse.co.uk/gb/clothing/dresses/stripe-button-midi-dress/034183.html?dwvar0341833_color=33&cgid=dresses

Try these:
tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/c/women/women-dresses?INITD=ww_dresses

Thanks all for the suggestions.

I ordered a couple of the loose T shirt dresses from Gap and Dorothy Perkins to try - free delivery and returns so OK there.

Mountain Warehouse- gosh - no, hadnyheard of them but spot on (and out of stock

Have spent much fun time looking at the links etc.

Some are too ‘beachy’ / skimpy for what I’m looking for but really handy to know for when I’m able to have that sort of holiday

www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Pique_Polo_Dress/pp/P_40518.html?cgid=11329

And others will be perfect for work in the warmer weather- eg Sea Salt (a brand I hadn’t heard of but which my sister now tells me she has heard of and loves!).

And funnily enough, the Next navy dress linked above is one I already have for work - but a bit too constricting for what I have in mind (or maybe I ‘m just too rotund )