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?

Another one:

www.wall-london.com/spring-summer/dresses/ss14-draped-pima-stretch-dress.html

I love that landgirl dress.

Have you had a look at East? They have some short sleeved cotton dresses.

www.east.co.uk/

This is quite nice, even though its Per Una, may not be long enough though, and looks as though its sleeveless, 100% cotton though.

www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-embroidered-shift-dress/p/p60056450#bvHeader

Laura Ashley? I got a great broderie dress from there last year.

Gap

People tree
Komodo
Lands end
Mistral

www.weekenddoll.co.uk/epages/100135580.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/100135580/Products/%22AUTUMN%20BLOSSOM%22

If you were feeling brave - Eucalyptus and sister brand Friday on my Mind do some lovely 50s cotton dresses

Have you tried Jaeger? Their stuff is pricey granted but beautiful fabrics and they do proper sales ALL the time so it's worth registering for email updates. I think they're great for work stuff, it last years. I'm 5.6 and often have to get stuff shortened.
USA brands? Their workwear tends to be v conservative, they always have short, med, long lengths.

Have you tried Next? I'm not usually a Next fan at all but I looked on their website the other day and was pleasantly surprised. Ordered myself a polka dot wrap dress, 3/4 sleeves and knee length. I thought you had to sign up for an account card to shop with them online but if you select No to a Next Directory at the checkout you can just pay there and then with your debit/credit card.

I looked in real life at the East cotton dresses yesterday when I was in John Lewis having my free cake and the cotton sleeved ones are very nice cotton prints. Very Liberty.

Which reminds me, have you looked at Liberty ?

East do similar cotton dresses each year, and I have three, very comfortable and useful and now with your seal of approval, LaurieFC, excellent!

It's not only dresses, you can barely find a skirt that covers the knees.

I actually have one from TU in Sainsburys that I wear to work (also a teacher.). Its a flowery print but with tights and boots is not too mumsy.

Checking in

....and thinking that sleeved means sleeves, not caps.

www.nomadsclothing.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/product_list/option-images/longsleeve-flared-dress-blue-alt.jpg this?

This? www.nomadsclothing.com/womenswear/dresses/knit-dress

OP - try this
www.amazon.co.uk/s/279-9687975-9157218?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=Love%20Camden&index=clothing&search-type=ss

Not all of it, but some of it and reasonable prices. I feel your pain, though. Decent length with actual sleeves... It's the holy grail for summer but it doesn't exist!!

try East they have a lovely range of Indian cotton dresses

Of course I posted before reading the last page!

I've given up with dresses and am building up my skirt & top collection instead; you get a much better over-all fit.

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_62035+HSWS19148_-1

I've just been sent an email about this little beauty which is a definite contender for my next skirt purchase!

Samantha Sung dresses. I have about half a dozen of her dresses. They are all good quality heavy cotton with a tiny bit of stretch. Really well cut , look great in an office and just as good outside.

They are around £400-£450

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=VUhiU6XPIceP7AbEhoHQCg&url=www.samanthasung.com/&cd=1&ved=0CFYQFjAA&usg=AFQjCNGMBvnTvP0q9yXaK3uYzUTs9SXg_w" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=VUhiU6XPIceP7AbEhoHQCg&url=www.samanthasung.com/&cd=1&ved=0CFYQFjAA&usg=AFQjCNGMBvnTvP0q9yXaK3uYzUTs9SXg_w

how many people can afford to spend 400 pound on a dress for work though???

m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/The-WhitePepper/The-WhitePepper-Midi-Dress-with-Pockets/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3973672&cid=12899&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=50&sort=-1&clr=White

m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/River-Island/River-Island-Chelsea-Girl-Spotty-Edith-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3669752&cid=12899&sh=0&pge=3&pgesize=50&sort=-1&clr=Black+print

m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/ASOS-Tall/ASOS-TALL-Midi-Skater-Dress-With-Short-Sleeves/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3889115&cid=12899&sh=0&pge=3&pgesize=50&sort=-1&clr=Black

m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/Warehouse/Warehouse-Crepe-Midi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3968498&cid=12899&sh=0&pge=4&pgesize=50&sort=-1&clr=Cream

First time linking on phone, the 3rd link is the one with the longest length. I'm not clued up on materials etc so not sure if the materials are good enough. The warehouse one (last link) is lovely x

I have given up trying to get anything in cotton which fits me at 5'10" and long waisted and hides my saggy knees and reasonable price.

A recent purchase is this, It is not cotton though, but is a fairly good fit in the long length, waist is a little high but not really noticeable with the flowery pattern. It come just below the knee on me.

www.marksandspencer.com/slash-neck-floral-print-dress/p/p22293719