Where are we getting our nice summer frocks from?

[toffeebutterpopcorn]

I keep seeing women in gorgeous flowing, flattering summery dresses, wafting around looking cool and glam.

I want one! I’m way past my skinny 20s (and 30s) so need something made of decent fabric (thin cotton isn’t flattering when lumpy).

I do love a wrap dress and tie waists. The current ‘little house on the prairie’ style makes me look mor Amish-chic then prairie-Queen. I also get very hot in the summer and sweat buckets (TMI).

Has anyone found the holy grail of summer dresses?

Show me the dresses you're wearing this summer http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/styleandd_beauty/4259087-show-me-the-dresses-you-re-wearing-this-summer

This is a great thread running at the moment, lots of great dresses on here.

I’ve got a couple from Joanie, which are fantastic quality and reasonably priced.

I’m a size 12 with a mum tum and zero waist and their dresses are really flattering to my shape. They’re also lined and come with pockets, which I was very pleasantly surprised by!

I had this delivered today from & other stories. I’ve gained so much weight during lockdown and really don’t like myself at the moment, but I feel quite nice in this. I’ve ordered it in another pattern too!

A few years living in Africa taught me what to look for in a summer dress for wearing day to day. Cotton (or linen but only if you have access to an iron), never clingy and colour and pattern to hide the dust (perhaps that's a Namibia-specific requirement). I like a shoulder covering sleeve, but that can be hard to find. I have a few, and I hold on to them for years.

I bought a few summer dresses this year from Boden, Fat Face and a nice one from Kate Spade for best. I wasn't sure about this one from Seasalt as it felt a bit like what my friend's Tory mums used to wear in the eighties (my mum was still in her Daisy Dukes until 1994) but it has been lovely and cool and comfy and I've had a few compliments:

www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/clothing/dresses-tunics/belle-dress-fit-and-flare-lightweight-cotton-vintage-floral-freshwater.htm

If you have the funds, you cannot beat Roksanda Ilincic for lovely, elegant, cotton poplin summer frocks. But even in the sale, fabulously expensive:

www.matchesfashion.com/products/Roksanda-Athena-colour-blocked-cotton-poplin-dress-1366894

I bought one similar to the linked dress in the sale last year and I have worn it loads in nice weather. Proper cotton, nicely cut and finished.