To think a normal length cotton dress with sleeves is in fact the Holy Grail

[Orangeanddemons]

Because I can't find one anywhere, apart from Boden which I don't like.

I'm tall, so knee length is short on me. I work in a school, I neither want maxi or above knee level. I want just below knee or above ankle. These don't exist.

If they do they are ponte hideousness. Who buys all these polyester mini dresses?

Cotton jersey? www.frenchconnection.com/product/Woman+Collections+Dresses/71AMJ/Margarita+Stretch+Jersey+Dress.htm

Not sure about this one, but i have seen it advertised in a patterned fabric just can't find it anywhere on the site!
uniqlo

Really like this one from White Company - wish I could pull off white!

www.thewhitecompany.com/clothing/dresses-and-tunics/broderie-dress--white/

I have just bought 3 fantastic pure cotton & lined dresses from Mistral. Snip of the price of Boden.

Hmm, just looked at patterns...quite like this www.jaycotts.co.uk/products/v2903

I had one like that made! I paid a seamstress about £50. I see that you are able to do it yourself but short on time, but I can

Do you know what I don't understand? I don't know why manufacturers think 1) we all want bodycon 2) we all want tunic length 3) we all want maxi dresses or 4) we love showing our bare arms off.

The average sized woman is a size 16 or over and this fortysomething does not want to bare my bingo wings or have to buy a cardigan!

Maxi dress

Have a look at collectif too

I really would make it - once you have found a pattern and adjusted it you can knock one up in an afternoon. I have a Vogue pattern a bit like the one you linked to with a sweetheart neckline that I lengthened the hem and sleeves of and made in several fabrics, In fact you've inspired me to make another!

I used to buy a lot of fabric from Remnant House as their prices on cotton lawn were great

I keep toying with that white Broderie one from White Company...looks a bit short though. That's the sort of thing I'm after, just a bit longer.

Try Hobbs

Really like that Uniqlo one, but they only have extra small. Which would probably just go round my leg

www.brora.co.uk/Product/Product.aspx?WebShopCodeStr=S4&WebSegmentCodeStr=S2&WebCategoryCodeStr=CE&StyleCodeStr=DD1417&PT=1&PC=S4-S2-CE

How about this style?

I love this Collectif one, but it's sodding polyester. I think its a tea dress type thing I want. www.collectif.co.uk/lace-vivienne-lace-swing-dress-p-vss140805-c-black.html

Boden, but is like the White Company one

I hope you don't mind me hijacking this thread.

I went into 3 Hobbs shops over the last couple of days. Nearly all the dresses I saw in the shops are what I call "mother of the bride" dresses.

Am off to Fat Face tomorrow. The Camille dresses look nice. I am 5'7", how long would they be on me?

Those Mistral dresses have huge and low necklines which would look awful on my boney neck.

How about this?

Shirt dress, linen

Broderie dress

I am not sure what's wrong with Boden

I picked up two pretty cotton day dresses (with sleeves!) from Sainsburys TU section a few weeks ago for work ... they're reasonably priced and wash and wear well. Might be worth a look?

I have looked at and rejected both of those. All the reviews said the linen dress came up short on tall people and that the waist was too high...I'm very long waisted.

The shirt dress is too short, my knees need covering

There nothing wrong with Boden as such, but the fit of their dresses never works for me. The waist lines are too high. I currently have their borderline dress waiting to go back, as the waistline is too high and the dress is too short

Broderie not borderline...

Wow, Tethers that is fantastic

What about Fever?