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 ...

I find the Boden jersey dress a bit too heavy for hot weather.

Another vote for Boden. I think I have the blackberry. I have a similar style from h&m but it's much thinner and not as smart at Boden. For beach I'd go h&m but for dinner is go Boden

For those with the Boden casual Jersey dress, do you think it's possible to breastfeed in it? Also what's the sizing like? I'm between a 12 and 14 at the moment, 12 on top, 14 on bottom half.

Sparkly, I didn't breastfeed so I'm no expert but it crosses over at the front and it would be quite easy to pull out a boob without taking the top of the dress down! Hopefully someone with more technical knowledge will come along soon

Thanks nancy yes, that's exactly what I'm wondering, if it's stretchy enough to fish a boob out the crossover section. Sounds like it probably is.

Yes, it definitely is.

I got this one the other day
www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0389721002.html

I'm the interest of scientific research I can confirm I'm wearing the boden dress today and I can easily get boobs out! I am at work so carried the experiment out in the loo, I think my boss may have been concerned if I'd done it in the middle of the office!

And Nancy, o Boden guru, in your estimation would it be a bit too hot for evenings out in southern Spain in late June? Let's assume evening temperatures there will be around the same as daytime temperatures here on a really nice day.

Boden Blackberry dress - 100%. I bought it for holidays but have worn it to work today, it's really simple & comfy but I have honestly never had so many compliments on an outfit! Seriously 5 people have told me how much they like it & asked where it's from & it's not even lunchtime.

I love fat face dresses

I have the boden dress and yes I did breastfeed in it. I've actually stitched it together since because I find that any crossover dress gapes on me a bit.
I like the boden one because it is mostly cotton, a decent length and fits me well. Mine is about 3 years old now and I still like it. Will probably get more.

nancy I salute your dedication to research and thank you for your service

I agree with the Boden jersey dress - I have 5 of them (2 plain and 3 patterned) and they are so easy to wear and can be dressed up or down.

I would say they are perfect for evenings abroad but may be slightly too hot for daytime as the material is quite thick (perfect for daytime in the UK though ) so they may not be what you want as a daytime cover up.

The V at the front is quite deep so if I wear one for work, I have to put a vest top underneath which defeats the object on hot days

Daytime wear is covered with combo of shorts/swimwear for villa relaxation and then nice linen T shirts and print mini skirts for shuffling into town to go to markets, do a bit of shopping etc. It really was just for evenings out to restaurants that I thought I should perhaps make a bit more of an effort and throw on a dress so the Boden number wins!

Thanks all; so many good ideas to mull over.

This is quite nice and on offer at the moment.

I offer a Boden alternative, this one. Almost identical but no sleeves. I've been wearing it pretty constantly recently - and you can definitely breastfeed in it!

I have this one from boden
www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-dresses/day-dresses/wh981/womens-blackberry-dress

What is George at Asda sizing like, please? Thanks to this thread I've found a great dress, but I can't find my measuring tape to check what to order.

Oasis have some brilliant pleated jersey dresses. All a modest length, can be dressed up or down, available in a few colours and cheap!

next linen/broderie

Those Oasis ones are delicious!

I thought Lands End had some nice simple knee length dresses in stock but I don't know what any of them are like:
www.landsend.co.uk/Women/Dresses_Skirts/ix-5730?brand=2&cm_re=wmns_drs_skrts

I have actually ordered one of their beach cover-ups and will see how the sizing is, as I quite like the look of the sleeveless crossover.

I have tried on that Next one with pockets but it was a bit too billowy for me - I am a 12/14 and need something a bit more shapely.

Asda sizing are generous ime. The dresses I have from them are fantastic, very smart and great value for money.

They also look alright with a belt if you have lost weight and don't want to buy a whole new wardrobe yet

op, sorry after my extreme boob rearranging I thought I should do some work! I have worn them in the evening on holiday ( Spain in August so pretty hot) they are thicker jersey than lots of dresses but I don't find them too hot