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Original poster

Please help me find an everyday summer dress!

28 replies

blondepinhead · 21/04/2011 10:39

I'm trying to find a comfy summer dress that I can wear everyday, which isn't so casual that I look like I should be on a beach. I'm very fair-skinned and suit muted colours, although can get away with the occasional bright. Probably about a size 12 although currently dieting & exercising like mad.

Love the vintage look - have seen some stuff by Emily & Fin recently that I really like, but all sold out in my size (M). I'm mid-30's, look a lot younger facially but definitely older in the saggy arse area :(. I would prefer to avoid sleeveless dresses as they don't tend to suit me.

Don't want to go crazy on budget - probably about £80 max, although I have been known to justify splurging on a cost per wear basis Grin so it's not an absolute ceiling!

OP posts:
Original poster
blondepinhead · 21/04/2011 11:14

Bump? Pleeeease?! I'm hot, desperate and sweaty, and not in a good way...

OP posts:
sunshinenanny · 21/04/2011 11:22

Blondepinhead, I'm not sure why you need help? You seem to know what suits you and to have a good idea of what you like. There are lots of vintage dresses around at the moment. you need to get in quick because the nice weather means stocks will sell out the popular sizes. Good luck.

redapple80 · 21/04/2011 11:23

Check out asda, new look, primark and tesco. Asos may have something too :)

Original poster
blondepinhead · 21/04/2011 11:30

sunshinenanny - Cos I can't actually go shopping! There may be lots around, but the sum total of my shopping experience recently has been a quick look in H&M a month ago. Work is killing me and my weekends are taken up with family visits.

I'm also appalling at visualising stuff on t'internet on me, so am too scared to shop online. The Emily & Fin dress I saw on a friend who's about the same size & shape (bad form to buy the same as a mate?), but it was out of stock in my size at the shop.

I'm a bit crap really, aren't I? Sorry :(. And I honestly don't really know what would suit me, just need some ideas!

OP posts:
olympialimpet · 21/04/2011 11:46

Not vintage but I have this dress and it is so pretty. Lovely fabric (but not hot) and not flimsy.

I ordered with a Grazia code for 25% off but not sure if it is still valid.

www.warehouse.co.uk/romantic-floral-dress/Dresses/warehouse/fcp-product/305169

greygirl · 21/04/2011 11:48

this is casual and vintage,and ordered over the internet

greygirl · 21/04/2011 11:49

have realised you don't liek sleeveless, maybe with t-shirt underneath?

or try boden?

Original poster
blondepinhead · 21/04/2011 11:57

Ooh, I like the warehouse one! olympia is the back very low?

greygirl I do like that actually, I didn't explain myself very well about the sleeves! Straps fine, short sleeves fine, it's just those vest-style dresses have a tendency to make my arms look really fat (according to DH who has just decimated my wearable wardrobe in one fell swoop!).

Boden? Hmm, my mum wears Boden. Don't know if I could ever get over that mental barrier!

OP posts:
greygirl · 21/04/2011 12:06

some boden is a bit mumsyish, but if you want floral and girly - that almost always does look a litle mumsyish (i think), but still nice all the same.

how about this one?

Original poster
blondepinhead · 21/04/2011 12:17

I like the basic idea of that boden dress, but I have to admit to not really liking it! Sorry. I'm not too fussed about floral, in fact the E&F dress I liked was actually blue with white spots (teapot?! looked great anyway).

Do you think it might be more sensible to do plain colours for an everyday dress?

Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out, I really appreciate it.

OP posts:
redapple80 · 21/04/2011 12:59

What about this? www.joebrowns.co.uk/sp+Womens-Dresses-Tunics-Easy-Living-Jersey-Dress+LD216
I love that shop

Also another to consider is H&M www.hm.com/gb/s/006TEY ??
They also do really practical long tshirt dresses, solid colours and I live in them come summer :)

redapple80 · 21/04/2011 13:00

www.hm.com/gb/product/82957?article=82957-A

What about this?

redapple80 · 21/04/2011 13:03

also try very.co.uk, I like their stuff.
I'm in my 30s, size 14 with chubby arms :D

Original poster
blondepinhead · 21/04/2011 13:11

Those H&M dresses are great, redapple! I guess they weren't in store yet when I was in there. I don't know if I can get away with coral, but I really want to! Think I'm a 14 in H&M too :-D

Hmm. They're pretty cheap too...

OP posts:
herbietea · 21/04/2011 13:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

BikeRunSki · 21/04/2011 14:04

You might like Get Cutie.

redapple80 · 21/04/2011 14:30

or www.yumidirect.co.uk/

Original poster
blondepinhead · 21/04/2011 14:43

What is a school run dress please?

DH has just thrown a spanner in the works. He loathes most of the floral dresses that I liked and has suggested one or two that he likes. He specifically likes this. Now, while I think it's pretty and could look great (bright though), he is mad if he thinks I'm going to spend £125 on an 'everyday' dress I can't even machine wash.

I know I said no sleeveless dresses, but what do you think of this? It's not the same as my friend's dress, hers was more of a shift with cap sleeves. If I do loads of tricep dips I might be able to get away with it .

OP posts:
Original poster
blondepinhead · 21/04/2011 14:44

Oh, and before you all ask why I'm canvassing my husband's opinion, he has great style sense and I actually have more faith in his taste than in my own, slightly baby-addled as it is!

OP posts:
TethersEnd · 21/04/2011 15:37

Lovely tesco

and again

olympialimpet · 21/04/2011 17:32

Sorry been out all day but re the Warehouse dress that you asked about - the back is not too low, it covers my normal bra strap.

Earlybird · 21/04/2011 20:35

French Connection is pretty and a great colour, but looks quite short. Maybe not so good unless you're a skinny-minnie like the model?

Original poster
blondepinhead · 21/04/2011 21:36

True, earlybird - and I'm definitely not a skinny-minnie any more [busad].

OP posts:
moragbellingham · 21/04/2011 22:21

Joules and 3 for 2 at the moment - today only.

biological · 21/04/2011 22:22

I love this one and this one but not sure i could get away with them so have ordered this one instead. all too expensive so will only keep if absolutely love.