Summer dresses required for size 18 (ish!) - what have you bought?

[AcerTree]

I hate dresses because I think they don't suit me, but I am fed up of spending every summer feeling hot and sweaty. I would love a summer dress (or 2 if i'm lucky!). I'm around 5ft 6 with a big bust (GG) and approx size 18 (depends which shop!). What have you bought recently? Or do you have examples of what works for you if you are a similar shape and size?

I have several swing dresses from boohoo that are just made of a jersey material that a pretty, a few floral shirt dresses and then some strappy, cold shoulder dresses. I'm a size 16

The next linen dresses are easy to wear .

I'm a 14 and tried a Next linen one on in black the other day, with short sleeves. It was really nice and I'm probably going to buy it.

It depends how you feel about your legs though. Are you happy with knee length, or would you prefer midi length?

Any Boden midi-length wrap dress.

I have these two dresses. 5 foot 6 and dress size 16-18, these come to knee length on me but I'm not sure how the bust would be for you.

www.weirdfish.co.uk/p/women/dresses/i/talia-plain-jersey-dress-purple-potion-marl-10879

www.weirdfish.co.uk/p/women/dresses/i/biscayne-printed-jersey-dress-ink-11058

Look at Weekday - cracking sale and lots of airy, slightly oversized dresses that are on trend and, crucially, you can wear a very decent bra with.

Seconding Next - it's shot up in the style stakes recently.

This style from Dorothy Perkins works for me and I'm a 34K

The 2 dresses i wear the most are from Tesco! Nice and thin but hold their shape, dont need ironing (genuinely!) and are cheap enough to not be too fitted which works with my figure (size 18-20/36ff). They are loose around the chest and from the hips down, but with a waist that is fitted at the front and elasticated at the back.

However i also have a couple of nice cotton ones from asos that are lovely and fit very well.

My usual choices for warmer clothes (phase 8 etc) are either too fitted or the material is too thick!

@Supersimpkin I have fallen into the Weekday website

OP - Monki is also worth a look, as is ASOS, the filter makes it really easy to narrow down to what you want quite specifically.

Depends on your shape but I like a midi swing type dress or loose linen. This year the Seasalt Primary dress is lovely on www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/clothing/dresses-tunics/primary-linen-a-line-dress_dark_night.htm and I got a really comfy one for beachy days, in Debenhams www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_020010428843_-1 I sized up to get the length below my knees and a nice swing.

Depends on your shape but I like a midi swing type dress or loose linen. This year the Seasalt Primary dress is lovely on www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/clothing/dresses-tunics/primary-linen-a-line-dress_dark_night.htm and I got a really comfy one for beachy days, in Debenhams www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_020010428843_-1 I sized up to get the length below my knees and a nice swing.

Depends on your shape but I like a midi swing type dress or loose linen. This year the Seasalt Primary dress is lovely on www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/clothing/dresses-tunics/primary-linen-a-line-dress_dark_night.htm and I got a really comfy one for beachy days, in Debenhams www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_020010428843_-1 I sized up to get the length below my knees and a nice swing.

Thank you so much for all your suggestions and advice. I now have 8 different dresses arriving today and I am hopeful that I can find 1 that doesn't make me look a horror! If any are remotely good I will post a link to them to help others of a similar shape. Wish me luck!

I recently bought this from h&m in an 18. Runs a bit large, is lightweight cotton. £18. It has loads of fabric in it, super comfy and fab in very hot weather. (Apologies, can't seem to link)

I'm the same sort of size as you and I live in these dresses over the summer. I have 3 and have just ordered a couple more. Very flattering and suitable for work with a slip underneath too.

That's lovely Snapespeare! I think I'm going to order it!

Professionalnomad - they look lovely too! My only concern would be that they highlight my tummy and make me look pregnant. I seem to carry all my weight on my tummy. Do they look slimming on you?

I've bought this to wear to a wedding reception and I bloody love it 😀

I came here because of the link from the MN Swears By email.

ONE person rec'd the Krisp dresses from Amazon? ONE PERSON? And this is 'MN Swears By'?

Snap GlomOfNit! Have noticed that lately, the item in the email is often not the most recommended on the thread.

I’m a short arse (5’2”) and a fairy round size 18. Just bought this from Simply Be and it looks gorgeous on! Gives me a waist and everything.

orange dress

Fairly round, not fairy!