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Original poster

Dress for hot destination - 16/18

30 replies

DelphiniumBlue · 05/05/2016 22:43

I'm looking for a day dress that will look slightly glamorous but still suitable for beach resort, not polyester or spaghetti straps/bandeau top, not too clingy but not a tent either! Needs to be knee length or longer . Can't find anything I like in my usual suppliers eg Boden, White Stuff. Don't really know where else to look - have drawn a blank!
Would also like a chambray button through long shirt/dress, and a pretty, flowy, top at least hip length to go with white trousers and jeans. Or anything pretty really - feel the urge to do holiday shopping but just don't know where to look!
I have Winter colouring, look dreadful in beige, cream, peach and most pastels etc,and like strong blues and pinks, and floral patterns. Not keen on stripes, tribal designs etc.
Has any one got any ideas on where to look? Can be online or a London shop.
Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
DelphiniumBlue · 05/05/2016 22:58

Thanks Tropicana, I like the Hobbs dresses but they are slightly too formal for what I had in mind. Might bear them in mind for work though!

OP posts:
ClubTropicanaDrinks · 05/05/2016 23:04

Yes, I know what you mean. Monsoon maybe? More interesting prints? I'm sure others will advise on summer options - I'm awful at dressing for summer!

Behooven · 05/05/2016 23:07

I've bought the Next linen dress in all colours this year. I'm a 16 Apple shape, it just seems to suit me. There was a load on eBay as well in all the different colours.

like these

Original poster
DelphiniumBlue · 05/05/2016 23:17

Behooven,thanks, I did look at them before I started holiday planning, had forgotten until you reminded me! There's a pink/purple patterned one which is tempting. Have you had the chance to wear and wash them yet? And what's the fit like around the bust? I am bigger up top than round the hips and find Next dresses aren't always very accommodating norkwise!
Tropicana, am about to check Monsoon, I do like some of their prints.

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Kr1stina · 05/05/2016 23:23

Next summer dresses in Tall will be knee length on a 5' 6" woman

Behooven · 05/05/2016 23:27

I've only worn two of them when we were away at Easter. 30 degree wash and no problem. I'm a 38 C, the 16 dress is good for that size.

Original poster
DelphiniumBlue · 05/05/2016 23:33

Update... there are some good possibilities in Monsoon, thanks for that, Tropicana!

Still hoping for more suggestions - I think my problem is that the beachy boho look I used to love doesn't work on the middle-aged somewhat plump person I have become! My reflection in the mirror doesn't look like the person in my head :(
So I'm hoping for something that will make me look more dashing!

OP posts:
jimmybim · 05/05/2016 23:42

seasalt?

Original poster
DelphiniumBlue · 05/05/2016 23:49

Thanks for the info, Behooven.
Thanks for the link Jimmybim. I'm not so keen on Seasalt, the colours and styles are great for English seaside holiday, but lack the pzazz I'm after.

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Behooven · 06/05/2016 00:43

You're welcome, hope you get something 😀

Original poster
DelphiniumBlue · 06/05/2016 07:53

Bumping for morning people!

OP posts:
brassbrass · 06/05/2016 11:45

try La Redoute

NannyMarmalade · 06/05/2016 15:01

Have you seen the range from One Season? They are an Australian company and their dresses are just gorgeous. They use fine linens and a fabric made from wood bark that is cool to wear. Having worked in the tropics I can vouch for their coolness and ease of wear and they still look smart in the heat. Frocks retail at around £95-ish but they are worth it. They don't need ironing either.

They do have stockists in the UK and I know of three in the SE.

One Season

One Season FB page

Original poster
DelphiniumBlue · 06/05/2016 17:56

Nanny, they are just gorgeous! Have emailed them for nearest stockists. Thanks for the link.

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Stopyourhavering · 06/05/2016 21:25

East....they do great linen / flowing dresses blouses....online as well as shops and in John Lewis....
Also Nomads.....

Original poster
DelphiniumBlue · 06/05/2016 21:40

Thanks for more suggestions! Have tried Violeta but it seems to be designed for Valkyries! I'm 5'4" and quite small boned, short waisted etc and a lot their stuff just swamps me.
Hadn't thought of East, will check it out. Was that link an East dress? I rather like it.

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Pinkcadillac · 06/05/2016 22:00

I like this one a lot, from East:
www.east.co.uk/linen-paisley-dress-blue/

Stopyourhavering · 06/05/2016 22:15

I'm size 16/18 and bought a few pieces from East for holidays in Cuba and Thailand .....perfect!

Original poster
DelphiniumBlue · 07/05/2016 00:18

www.east.co.uk/silk-beach-kaftan-multicolour/
This is lovely.
Also like the one on the link that PinkCadillac posted.

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BubsAndMoo · 07/05/2016 06:29

I got some lovely things from Apricot, floaty but slightly shaped so not tent-like, one green and one black & white, worked as smart day dressed for sightseeing etc and nice enough for dinner etc. I'll see if I can find them...

BubsAndMoo · 07/05/2016 06:34

this one

and this one

I feel lovely wearing them, even though I'm the heaviest I've ever been at the moment Blush

Pinkcadillac · 07/05/2016 09:23

This one from Cotton Traders:
www.cottontraders.com/stripe-dress/invt/ag10400