Where to buy some long sleeve cotton tops that reach to mid thigh and which aren't figure hugging / revealing?

[Aridane]

Sorry - long title!

I am going to a conservative Middle East country in a few months and, as well as a head scarf, will need to wear ankle length trousers or a skirt and a long sleeved tunic type top.

No problem with the head scarf and ankle length trousers / skirts - both of which I have.

However, it's the tops that I don't know where to locate. They need to be:

• long-sleeved (or at least 3/4 length at a push);

• mid-thigh length (or at least cover the bottom);

• tunic like or at least not figure hugging / revealing; and

• cotton / natural fibre for climate / heat reasons

and coloured tops are fine.

Any suggestions as to where to locate? I'm based in London and am a shortie (5'2") - and ideally would prefer not to order online. I would like to get 4 tops.

Thanks!

We found an Iranian travel agent online and told them which places we wanted to visit (in fact contacted several and went with the cheapest), all done via email. They put together an itinerary and booked hotels and they provided a guide with a car who took us everywhere and did guided tours of all the sights. It was the same price as booking a group tour with Exodus (only instead of 15 people it was just the two of us). They sorted out visas etc. We went to Tehran (didn't spend too long there), Shiraz, Isfahan, Yazd, Persepolis and a few other ancient sites. We met a British girl there travelling by herself, she had no problems. Like I said it was a while ago (actually 2006 not 2004 like I said above). It was all very safe, everyone we met was extremely friendly and curious, not hostile at all (unlike how it's portrayed by the media). Exodus or another one of those companies that do group tours would be another way.

I am going with Wild Frontiers - who by all accounts (well, online research and some posts by other Mumsnetters - another thread!) - have a very good reputation. Small groups only, good itineraries - but rather expensive.

Exodus and Explore seem to have withdrawn their trips to Iran.

must learn to do italics properly

Are you anywhere near either Westfields OP? You can try Khaadi which defo has long tunic tops in cotton like this
www.khaadionline.com/us/woman/pret/eastern.html?p=3&sub_category=89
I think one opened in Birmingham Bullring too recently.

Thanks v much CantStop ans Aridane! Ill look into both.

Haven't read all the messages but as the pp said definitely try Khaadi at Westfield .

Ariadne, we have traveled with Wild Frontiers three times (Pakistan, Kashmir & Ecuador). You will have no problems there at all!

We were at the Destinations travel show this weekend and have seen that Travel the Unknown are offering trips as are some other operators.

Thanks for the Khaadi link and good tip about mens shirts - should be able to get big ones quite cheaply.

Wow - the khaadi items are exquisite, Iran dress code aside. A visit to Westfield is in order.

And based on another poster's suggestion, I have cobbled together a couple of other very non-chic - but modest - outfits comprising a couple of angle length loose cotton skirts I have with long sleeved men's shirts.

Visited Khaadi in Westfield - liked the items but found them a bit over bright and 'ethnic'. Exquisite - but I'd be unlikely to wear again.

Funnily enough, Izabel seems to have quite a few tunic type dresses and / or loose short dresses which could be worn over trousers. So have ordered a number online and will see if any suit. Though website doesn't give a huge amount of detail on fabric, length etc - and of course the items look gorgeous on the beautiful teenage models -

www.izabel.com/en/ukeurope/clothing/icat/clothinguk

id buy some gudren sjodren
www.gudrunsjoden.com/uk/m/menu/products/clothes/category_skirts

A friend of mine has been a few times. She wears a light raincoat over her clothes.

burnishedsilver - does your friend get a bit hot (appreciate that's what the Iranian women wear -a portmanteau or something similarly named)?

or a nice kaftan

loverfashion2 - this is a lingerie website / sex schoolgirl / nurse outfit website...