My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

AIBU?

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

235 replies

Orangeanddemons · 30/04/2014 16:36

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?

OP posts:
Report
PowerPants · 30/04/2014 21:51
Report
Bunbaker · 30/04/2014 21:54

I love that landgirl dress.

Report
winklewoman · 30/04/2014 21:56

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

www.east.co.uk/

Report
LightastheBreeze · 30/04/2014 22:16

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

Report
cloutiedumpling · 30/04/2014 22:30

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

Report
BikeRunSki · 30/04/2014 22:58

Gap

Report
BikeRunSki · 30/04/2014 23:40

People tree
Komodo
Lands end
Mistral

Report
PowerPants · 01/05/2014 00:07

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

Report
TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 01/05/2014 00:11

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.

Report
DomesticSlobbess · 01/05/2014 00:27

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.

Report
LaurieFairyCake · 01/05/2014 08:10

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 ?

Report
winklewoman · 01/05/2014 08:36

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

Report
Igneococcus · 01/05/2014 08:38

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

Report
fairylightsintheloft · 01/05/2014 08:55

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.

Report
CuttedUpPear · 01/05/2014 09:31

Checking in

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

Report
madasa · 01/05/2014 09:32
Report
ginnybag · 01/05/2014 09:59

OP - try this
www.amazon.co.uk/s/279-9687975-9157218?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=Love%20Camden&index=clothing&search-type=ss&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

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!!

Report
thegreylady · 01/05/2014 12:03

try East they have a lovely range of Indian cotton dresses

Report
thegreylady · 01/05/2014 12:04

Of course I posted before reading the last page!

Report
MajorB · 01/05/2014 14:03

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!

Report
Caitlin17 · 01/05/2014 14:17

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 noindex" 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

Report

Newsletters you might like

Discover Exclusive Savings!

Sign up to our Money Saver newsletter now and receive exclusive deals and hot tips on where to find the biggest online bargains, tailored just for Mumsnetters.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Parent-Approved Gems Await!

Subscribe to our weekly Swears By newsletter and receive handpicked recommendations for parents, by parents, every Sunday.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

gymboywalton · 01/05/2014 14:26

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

Report
LightastheBreeze · 01/05/2014 14:36

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

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.