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??

[southeastastra]

french connection have lots of dresses in the sale at the moment, i have got quite a few

[missbopeep]

Dude- I am an 'older' MN and I don't like my upper arms though I AM working on them

But unless it's scorching, a nice toning cropped cardi covers you up, and if it is scorching, anyone wears anything, so why worry?

[missbopeep]

Don't you find French Connection terribly short?
I am petite but find most styles around 6 inches above the knee and they are also very small fitting.

[Arcadia]

Mistral do cotton ones nice on have had compliments (maybe look a bit frumpy in pics but better on) this one comes to my knee and is quite fitted but flattering.

[Iggity]

I was going to recommend the Jigsaw Abigail dress mentioned above. I ordered the orange version which came today. I don't think it's overly dressy and am going to wear to work. Their sizing comes up big.

[superstarheartbreaker]

Fat Face have got some lovely dresses right now.

[FairPhyllis]

Try Shabby Apple - it's a US company and I don't know if they ship to the UK, but they are known for doing sleeves.

[minxthemanx]

God I'm so glad I'm not the only one who can't find a flattering summer dress!! I have trawled round so many shops, tried on so many dresses.....I just want an everyday, pretty dress BUT because I have massive boobs and bit of a thick waist, anything with an elasticated waist is out (so that's New Look, Dorothy P, most cheaper shops out) and I don't want spaghetti shoulder straps. Loads and loads of pretty sack like maxi dresses, but not suitable for work and I quite like my legs so want knee length! How can it be this hard? Sleeveless (but not spaghetti), knee length simple dress without elasticated waist. Nada. Like the Fatface suggestions on here, I'll have another look.

[theDudesmummy]

missbopeep it most certainly be scorching at my birthday party and generally on that beach I would have no qualms about wearing no sleeves (or in fact no dress, just swimsuit!) but there will be lots of photographs on this occason and I don't want my 50 year old underarms preserved for posterity!

[CockBollocks]

I have the Next dress in white, completely agree that's its lovely. Very flattering.

[Plus3]

The white stuff dress is fab - I am an hourglass & the tie belt is essential, but it washes & wears extremely well.

[RonaldMcDonald]

I am not one for dresses but this in green is absolutely lovely

[Flyingtree]

Buy some fabric and your local seamstress will make a dress tailored to your exact measurements and requirements for around £40. Get a couple for summer and you'll never look back.

[JohFlow]

Have you thought of a kimono sleeve? I have a 60's vintage dress with short Kimono sleeves - very flattering and also let's arm waft around your arms in this heat.

[Iggity]

The Dorset dress from Hobbs is lovely. Have had so many compliments on it.


Can't do the link - sorry.
www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0113-5679-9028L00&productvarid=0113-5679-9028L00-WHITE%20CHINA%20BLU-10&refpage=search/results

[Pixiepie]

What about White stuff? They have some nice dresses with sleeves.

[MmeBoulaye]

What about this one? Reduced to half-price at £44.00 in the sale, size 12-14 available at the mo.

www.meandem.com/sale/summer-sale/v-neck-a-line-dress/products_id/1161/cPath/876_923_1004

[MmeBoulaye]

Sorry, forgot you wanted short sleeves!

[harryhausen]

I have that White Stuff dress too. It's great. Really flattering and I've worn it to work and on the beach.

[Randomkaz]

hush shimmer dress over a t shirt to cover arms or without to show off tan. They also have fabby silk shift.

[SorrelForbes]

I've just bought this in the Reiss sale. Very flattering and has sleeves!

[spicywalrus]

Oooh that's lovely SorrelForbes.

[SorrelForbes]

It really is! Lovely material and a good length. Just above the knee on me and I'm 5'4".

[aoife24]

I got a really nice one from Toast. It has sleeves and is waisted, blue/black/white sort of abstract pattern, cotton, pockets, very wearable. I'm so glad I bought it because it is difficult to find a decent summer dress.

[CatOfTheDay]

I loved the People Tree dress and ordered it before I read it looked frumpy when it arrived - maybe it won't on me (fingers crossed - it's just what I'm after for work so could get away with SLIGHTLY frumpy!)