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?

Not sure if this one has already been linked - may be a little short though (I'm a squirt so a midi is nearly a maxi on me

www.laredoute.co.uk/ellos-cotton-denim-shirt-dress-with-tie-belt/prod-324477522-677614.aspx

Also this is a lovely style for long-waisted ladies but it's viscose

www.laredoute.co.uk/anne-weyburn-v-neck-fit-n-flare-dress/prod-324439473-768214.aspx

www

Caitlin I love those Samantha Sung dresses, thank you

Oh- those Poppy dresses are fabulous MrsLettuce!

I feel all summery now!

I make my own and have for years.

Vogue 2299, McCall's 3129 ( except make it a V-neck and shorter), and Simplicity 2917 are my 'stock' patterns but Simplicity in particular have some other great ones.

Finding suitable fabric can sometimes be a challenge - good years and bad years in fabric shops.

mimi- I'm going to try those patterns! great idea. I often see lovely fabrics but can never find a dress I like.

I feel your pain OP - I only have maxis as I will not go above the knee. Been looking for natural fiber, mid length, with sleeve, nice dress for eyars. Hens teeth.

Def gap in the market.

If I see another website full of above the knee fucking skater dresses (fit and flare they are called now) I might explode.

Also I never see anyone actually wearing these dresses in real life -Where are they all? Hiding with regret in wardrobes across the land while polyester manufacturers laugh hysterically?

Do you have Banana Republic in the UK? (Sorry it's been so long since I lived there). They have a few styles with sleeves.

I know what you mean, just as I have developed pudgy, wobbly arms out of nowhere, every damn top and dress is sleeveless this year!

bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=69883&departmentRedirect=true#department=136

I got this yesterday. I am 5'7" and it is exactly the same length on me as it is on the model. I am a size 10 top and 12 bottom and it fits beautifully. It looks to be much better made than most of the dresses I have seen in the shops as well.

The only negative is that it isn't cotton.

Like eyebrow threading etc, hopefully it won't be long before the Asian way of having cheap and cheerful tailors on every street reaches the uk. I live in thee Middle East and virtually never buy anything these days, just get things ran up or copied at the tailors. And no, they are not poor migrant workers here, just people doing a job. Same when I lived in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. I have 1 Chanel suit for work with 9 copies and the copies are machine washable. 1 a day for 2 weeks!

Someone recommended this company to me and this dress has been sitting in my Amazon wish list for a while. More for winter but worth keeping in mind! They have a lot of other styles too.
It is the bloody holy grail isn't it. Sleeves, longer length, flattering, widely available, decent quality. Not too much to blooming ask for, surely!

There are a couple of linen beauties on the Etsy shop tethersend linked to. Thank you tethersend, I think I found my summer buy!

I have a similar problem op. Even when they're long enough the waist is under my boobs.

Does anyone know how uniglo come up because I like a few of theirs and they look like they might be long enough?

Nancy Dee? ( made in UK too):

www.nancydee.co.uk/webshop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=45

Bibico?

www.bibico.co.uk/collections/dresses?page=2

As the OP is tall and long waisted she might be one of the few who can wear Peruvian Connection dresses. They have some cotton dresses and some with sleeves:

www.peruvianconnection.co.uk/category/womens+dresses/womens+sundresses.do?nType=1

Worth having a look in the sale with PC...

Ooh those Peruvian Connection ones are lush.

Still no fecking sleeves though

I tried on a Seasalt one today which isn't usually on my list. But it was high waisted and had umbrellas round the hem. It did look nice but I felt a bit twee.

Aren't high waists loathed on S&b boards?

www.greatplains.co.uk/product/womens+Dresses/J1BAS/Forget-Me-Not+Midi+Dress.htm

Cotton dress with sleeves

So, have ordered the following:

[http://www.poetryfashion.co.uk/product-V752-POEDS/dresses-skirts/long-aline-linen-dress.htm this]] hope it's long enough
hope this one is also long enough and this, but not over keen on spots

So 3 linen ones in the end...

If I can't find one with sleeves, I just wear a three quart sleeve cardigan on top. Wish my school had workwear rules like yours- some of things people wear are not what I would deem acceptable.

I bought a sleeveless maxi dress, cut the bottom off and used that to make sleeves

of natural fibres dresses in many styles [[http://www.komodo.co.uk/store/womens/dresses/?categoryId=18&Page=5 here]].

[[http://www.komodo.co.uk/store/womens/dresses/?categoryId=18&Page=5 k

Last try!

komodo

I bought such a dress the other day, and thought of this thread! ;)