Summer dresses - how hard can it be??

[Dancergirl]

So the annual search starts again

These are my criteria:

-Short (I have good legs and look frumpy in anything knee length so above the knee)

-Short sleeves (not bloody sleeveless!!)

-A bit of shape/semi fitted so I don't look shapeless

Is this asking the impossible? Any suggestions please MNers? I am a size 12 with boobs, 5'3" tall. Thank you.

This is nice too

m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_61252+273637_-1

That Joe Brown dress made me think of White Stuff and Mantaray at Debenhams- have you looked there OP?

And this
m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_103030812143_-1

m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_61252+273571_-1

m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_028030826048_-1

Chelsea26 that looks gorgeous. Would you say the sizing is true or is it like sainsbo and if you're a 12 you have to get an 8...?

Honestly I've worn nothing else since buying them - I'm a size 13 and I got the 12

I've gone for a few simple cotton dresses from New Look this year after returning a fair few dresses in last few months. I've gone up a few sizes since doing the bra intervention and that combined with a mainly tummy weight gain since last summer and nothing feels right.

So I'm just trying to get a few cotton basic dresses right and wear on rotation.

m.newlook.com/shop/womens/dresses/burgundy-bell-sleeve-tunic-dress-_524289267?pProduct=524289201

And

m.newlook.com/shop/womens/dresses/white-cotton-smock-dress-_508865310

I've got the first in a few colours and the second in black and white.

**ProseccoandPizza i love the dress in first link! If only the neck wasnt so high i would definitely get it too. Im quite busty so a high neck looks awful espesh on a dress.

I'm a 34H but it looks nice and it's lovely and cool. Have had a nightmare trying to find 100% cotton dresses that don't cost a fortune and come in sensible colours/with shoulders/sleeves/etc.

I think my bustiness makes it almost a shift rather than a smock tbh.

Thanks Chelsea. I reckon I'm a 13 too, hoping to deflate but it's taking some time!

Clearly I need to spend a bit more time in Debenhams. Those dresses are gorgeous.

CalmShambala go online. You wont find anything decent in store. I always go for swing or shift dresses as i dont like tight fitting or clingy things especially in the summer when its so hot. My dh said they are too dressy for everyday wear... you know what you can do luv! Not at all.. wear with pumps or metallic trainers...denim jacket.

Sorry not keen on the Debenhams ones, I don't want a maxi dress and the other one is sleeveless.

This Bravissimo dress is quite nice. I'm just under 5'4" and it was above the knee on me.

I have just ordered that lovely Comptoir one intransige thank you!

What do you think of this:

www.comptoirdescotonniers.co.uk/dress-with-embroidery-details-CASSIS_3332.html#sz=24&start=25

and:

www.cosstores.com/gb/Women/Dresses/Circle_cut_layer_dress/46881-71644556.1#c-85344

Ooh I like both of those. The fabric on the COS one might be a bit sweat-inducing though?

Op I absolutely love this. Does it fit your brief? www.asos.com/miss-selfridge-petite/miss-selfridge-petite-denim-ruffle-dress/prd/7872139?iid=7872139&clr=Blue&SearchQuery=Denim%20dres&pgesize=204&pge=0&totalstyles=265&gridsize=3&gridrow=39&gridcolumn=3

French Connection also have lots fitting that description e.g. www.houseoffraser.co.uk/women/french-connection-eva-crepe-leaf-print-shirt-dress/d780231.pd#258957944

This has a print, but there are lots of shirt dresses around which look lovely for summer.

Well the Joe Brown's one went straight back - too frumpy looking.

But I did find this in Whistles sale today:

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/women/whistles-sylvia-pom-prom-trim-dress/d786597.pd