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?

Ah Ok, just wanted to make sure you'd seen those. It's a shame the fit's not right, they do have a good selection of styles

I feel your pain

My arms are vile, so I too need a sleeve and prefer a frock that sits on or below the knee.

Have you looked at M&Co or Dorothy Perkins? All my favourite dresses are from these two shops.

The Fever ones look too short. Anything knee length in a photo is above knee length on me. I actually prefer mid calf as my chosen length. But these are as rare as hens teeth, and also considered uber unstylish on mnet

Looked at both of those. They are all full of polyester...

I love a mid calf dress too.

Asos you can search for midi length dresses.....

I have just bought a few LK bennett cotton jersey dresses on e-bay, they are mid calf on me ( am 6ft)

Really, try e-bay!

Tried and failed at Asos

How about this sort of thing, OP? I've bought from her before and it sounds like what you need. They're knee length on me with a very fluffy petticoat, so should be below the knee without even on someone rather taller. Choice of sleeve lengths and colours (see seller's other items).

Argh, just typed a huge post with loads on links and the page refreshed before I could post. Most of them were asos though!

Have you looked at ebay, I have bought a few dresses that come from china. It can be hit or miss but I've been lucky so far

you could get a few made by a seamstress. Shouldn't cost too much in cotton and a dress is quite easy to make so shouldn't be too much for labour. It will certainly fit you perfectly then.

Have you looked at Etsy?

this would be great for school.

Nice but ££££

It's all very Kirstie Allsop, so this might help www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/a1806109-Kirsty-Allsops-Dresses

m.tigermilly.com/Products/Detail/1198?title=hell_bunny_40s_50s_jennifer_tea_dress_blue

Cotton needs ironing - yuck. The thought of ironing a cotton dress for hours fills me with horror. It also creases when you sit down in it.

try to give in to Boden. They make their dresses 'interesting' rather than 'pretty' but the cut will be so flattering you'll (possibly) never look back.

The fit is wrong on Boden. If you are careful, cotton doesn't need ironing, especially broderais anglais. I find I can get away with ironing every 3rd wash.

It's linen and viscose that wrinkle and crease

This:
m.tigermilly.com/Products/Detail/1070?title=lindy_bop_50s_holly_vintage_dress_midnight_blue

I had a nose because a pp suggested the site and this is lovely.

Or this one?
m.tigermilly.com/Products/Detail/680?title=lindy_bop_amie_40s_50s_landgirl_polka_dot_tea_dress_black

Have you looked Toast? The fit usually seems to be good for long in the body types.

Have you tried Joe Brown's? Their stuff is great :-)

Tried both of those with no success.

Toast is full of short dresses. Joe Browns is full of viscose...

Manteray at Debenhams?

Try Wall London

www.wall-london.com/spring-summer/dresses/ss14-shirt-collar-gigi-dress.html