How hard can it be to find a summer dress??

[Dancergirl]

I'm looking for a flattering everyday dress.

I am

Early 40s
Size 12
Slimmish, good legs, boobs, a bit top heavy

I'm looking for something above the knee with short sleeves (don't like my upper arms), not shapeless/sack-like, preferably with a waist and not mumsy!

Is this impossible??

[Thurlow]

I've just bought this from Next and am in love with it. It was a completely random buy on the way in to work because I suddenly decided I hated the dress I was wearing, and it's the best buy I've made in ages. It needs a belt to finish it off really, but it's good for work and casual. I just wish they did it in green or burgundy or something else as well.

[missbopeep]

I really like that dress- and I hardly ever like anything from Next.

[Thurlow]

It's my new 'I'll wear it to anything' dress I'm hoping I can get away with it to a casual wedding!

[FannyPriceless]

Ok, I am prepared to share. I am now going to show you the perfect summer cotton dress. But only because I have already bought it so it going out of stock won't affect me.

Mantaray cotton dress

It is just above the knee, short sleeves, and very flattering!

[loopydoo]

www.whitestuff.com/times-change-dress-prod404014_dk_komono/

[LifeOfPee]

How about an everyday dress you can breastfeed in, something flattering to a post-partum body too? That seems to be impossible without spending £££ on a dedicated rip off nursing dress.

So jealous of all dress wearing going on

[Dancergirl]

Well the People Tree one arrived and it's going straight back - awful. Much longer than in the photo and looked really frumpy.

Waiting now for the Jigsaw one and also ordered another one from Debenhams.

loopydoo I saw that White Stuff one but it's out of stock!

[Dancergirl]

What do we think of this?

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_054010111963_-1

Frumpy??

Maybe I should go and shop in New Look!

[Thurlow]

You can joke, but most of my casual summer dresses are from New Look, cheap and cheerful but surprisingly good!

[LRDYaDumayuIThink]

If you are wanting sleeves, take a look at these people: www.limb-clothing.com/

I know they are a bit pricey, but they're machine-sewn in the UK, which I think is nice. I love them.

[thegreylady]

East have lovely fine cotton dresses with sleeves :)

[middleagedspread]

Thurlow I love that navy dress, but it's sold out in my size

[moggiek]

LRDY - what a great site! Didn't know it existed.

[LRDYaDumayuIThink]

I think it's relatively new. They were offering 10% off your next purchase if you sent them a picture of you wearing their dress to use on their facebook page, so I think they must be quite a small operation. I love the fabrics they use.

[spicywalrus]

I have this dress which is quite flattering. Also Debenhams have got an offer on at the mo, £5 off if you spend £25 or 10% off until Sunday I think.

[MrsOakenshield]

LRDY - what fantastic dresses, I love the Polly one, tempted to get it for my birthday. But, what kind of shoes? I do have fuck off 50s red stilletos that I wore on my wedding day, but I would prefer flats (I didn't have to walk far on wedding day, and ceremony only last 10 minutes!).

[LRDYaDumayuIThink]

Oooh. I want your 50s red stilletos!

I reckon the full skirt one would look cute with flats.

[missbopeep]

www.limb-clothing.com/

Isn't the day dresses model with the dark hair Kirsty Allsop?

[MrsOakenshield]

they were such a great buy, £25 from M&S (red with a little white strap across the front), to go with my 50s style black, white and grey wedding dress. One of my better, post-DD, sartorial days.

I need to get some of that body glide stuff before I make a frock purchase though (flabby chaffing thighs, yeuch).

[LRDYaDumayuIThink]

Ooh.

They sound gorgeous. As does your wedding dress.

[theDudesmummy]

I just bought this for my 50th birthday party (which is on a beach in a hot country).
www.east.co.uk/anokhi-chintz-dress-white/

[Branleuse]

www.fatface.com/women/dresses/icat/womensdresses

[theDudesmummy]

And I agree with those who have highlighted how hard it is to find dresses with sleeves. This is a real problem. There is nothing particular wrong with my upper arms but I am 50 after all and a little sleeve is more flattering! So many beautiful dresses but all straps/sleeveless!

[Branleuse]

most white stuff dresses have some sort of sleeve

[theDudesmummy]

I do love White Stuff. I have ordered several of the "kaftans" from their website for beachwear, they are lovely and do have sleeves.