simple knee-length throw-it-on dress for holidays

[lurkingfromhome]

That's what I'm after. Going to hot country for lying around the pool villa type holiday. 90% of holiday wardrobe will be shorts, t-shirts, short skirts, swimwear etc.

I feel the one item missing is a simple dress for those occasions where I might need to scrub up very slightly. No sweaty polyester, nothing strappy, nothing that will accentuate my middle age spread. Don't want to spend loads of money on it as it's purely for a week's holiday in the sun and will no doubt get suncream on it. Does such an item exist or should I just take a nice top and wear with denim skirt for such occasions? I quite like the thought of flinging on a little frock, though ...

George at Asda have some lovely shift dresses in at the moment - floral, stripes, and also crochet trim details. Might be worth a look!

There are tons of jersey and cotton dresses in Gap at the moment, and nearly always a 30-40% off voucher posted every week if you sign up for emails.

Excellent ideas, and I hadn't looked in either place. Thank you! Off now to peruse ...

Dorothy perkins v back midi dress. The v back is very shallow and they come in striped, navy and black.

I have ordered this in the hope it will be just the thing. I also tried a dark blue cheesecloth one with a decent short sleeve on in Dorothy Perkins yesterday. I can't find it online. It was nice but had a square neck which doesn't suit me.

Might not be your taste, but I just got this as my throw on over bikini to go to lunch dress and it arrived today. Just over £20 using the code. Lovely soft floaty cotton, feels like it will be really cool. I sized down.

www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-324519156.aspx?docid=746615

Boden have a few contenders.

This is a touch above knee length on me - I have it in khaki and it's really versatile (suitable for beach, work, with flip flops, tights, jumper over etc etc). Thinking of getting the dark blue version too, and the stripey one is lovely if you like stripes. Loads more colours in store than seem to be online too. I am a 12 and have the M.

At this rate I am going to buy a dozen dresses. So many brilliant ideas here, thanks all. I am browsing like mad.

I bought a linen shift dress in Asda the other day..

Asda Shift dress...same style as this but in a cream pattern. They also had two plain colours. It isnt lined but is substantial enough. Sainsburys also have some lined ones

I have this , which is knee length on me in the tall ( I'm 5'5") . £18, comes in lots of colours, covers bra straps .

www.next.co.uk/g572080s3#446510

I couldn't possibly wear a denim skirt in a seriously hot country

Boden casual jersey dress, they do it every year. I have it in about 8 colours! It fits well, covers your shoulders and washes really well

This looks like the annual "school run dress" thread under another name

Another vote for Boden casual jersey dress, I have three in different colours. I also have a couple of jersey dresses from White Stuff which are good for the same reason.

Joules have some nice, easy to wear t shirt dresses. Lovely fabric, hang well and not expensive.

I have the Boden casual jersey dress in lots of colours too. The patterned ones tend to stay smarter for longer but the plain black one is really versatile and can be dressed up or down with sandals/heels etc.

Kondo it's 35 and a half inches centre back. It's Hennes though so I can't guarantee that every Medium will be the same length!

Oasis have some lovely casual summer dresses.

I saw the H&M one in store a few weeks back (but only in dark colours-navy, grey) I loved the fact it had pockets .

I looked at the George@Asda crochet back maxi but the colours/patterns instore weren't nice. Online looks a better better or one of the Asda Home stores.

I have a Uniqlo (4% elastance 96% viscose) knee length short sleeved with a scoop neck . Nice weight , washes well.

Loving the ideas. Have had to abandon some of the more T-shirty ones, lovely as they are, as I might be a size 12 but every bit of fat on my body sits around my middle so that Next one would make me look preggers.

So far the Boden jersey one is coming out on top. Might have to change my mind about buying something dirt cheap and getting it covered in sun cream as I can see that dress getting loads of wear even in this country.

Mind you have also seen some nice ones in Gap, DP, etc. Bloody hell, decisions, decisions.

70isalimit YY - the pockets are a definite plus point!

this is lots better in the flesh, and fifteen quid. washes well (suncream came off nicely), and creases fall out easily.

I wear the boden dress here to work just with a little Cardi & sandals, I do wonder if people have noticed that I wear pretty much the same dress every day all summer just in different colours!

The Boden Blackberry dress is also very nice, fairly light and you can get it in different lengths to suit your height and preference.