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Original poster

Ultimate summer holiday dress

76 replies

LostOrFound · 09/04/2022 07:36

Travelling around Italy this summer, and need a versatile dress that’s going to stand up to being scrunched in a suitcase, keep me cool when sightseeing and resist gelato-fingered DC.

Any suggestions for what I should be looking for?

I like this dress from Next but don’t know what the viscose/linen mix will be like:

www.next.co.uk/style/st832003/A09494#A09494

I also love this but probably really not practical?

www.asos.com/prd/22802432?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
CompassPoint · 09/04/2022 15:28

I've bought from quite a few sellers on ebay, this one has a better range of dark colours including charcoal and black.
Completely agree with RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie its very hard to find summer clothes in darker colours. I love black and charcoal for summer.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264277466229?hash=item3d882a1c75:g:f8AAAOSwqNxcrfPZ

TulipsGarden · 09/04/2022 15:34

I've tried that first Next dress on - it's quite heavy material, not suitable for Italy in the summer. Ok for a cool English summer or office air con.

Xiaoxiong · 09/04/2022 15:48

I just bought a black v-neck linen jersey mix t-shirt dress from H&M which I like so much i'm wearing it daily (on holiday right now). I'm going to get another one in khaki for the summer.

https://www2.hm.com/engb/productpage.1050660002.html?&utmm_source=transactional&utmmedium=trackandtrace&utmmcontent=any&utmcampaign=dispatchhconfirmation_PLPOC

anon2022anon · 09/04/2022 15:48

They don't seem to have any at the moment, but I got a dress from gap described as gauze that I lived in last summer- to the point I've bought it twice! It's like a cheesecloth material, washes and dries quickly, no ironing.

Xiaoxiong · 09/04/2022 15:49

PS I'm somewhere with 34c heat and it is perfect - would be great for Italy but too light for a UK holiday except on the very hottest days.

BluebellCockleshell123 · 09/04/2022 16:05

I’ve just bought this from M&S. It is v flattering and slightly crinkled material so would be fine to roll up without looking like a crumpled mess:

www.marksandspencer.com/v-neck-shirred-midi-waisted-dress/p/clp60542202?color=RED#intid=prodflag_plp_ts_QP_49:P60542202|pid_pg1pip48g2r3c0

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/04/2022 16:07

@BluebellCockleshell123 98% polyester in Italy in the summer!!!!!

BluebellCockleshell123 · 09/04/2022 16:09

@ RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

Oh balls I didn’t realise that!!! Damn might have to send that one back.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/04/2022 16:09

If you like it, keep it. Just don't wear it in Italy in August!

Countmeout · 09/04/2022 16:41

If the Next linen viscose mix is anything like their ubiquitous shift dresses that they do every year it could be quite light ( it seems to vary depending on the pattern ) but I couldn’t bear sleeves in Italy in summer.
Jersey anything is far too heavy too.

I love the ASOS dress. Take a good travel wash and rinse it out as necessary. Would take 5 minutes and should dry overnight. I imagine you’ll take more than one dress and rotate anyway.

Next have a pure cotton Lipsy dress that might fit the bill too. Various prints.

Countmeout · 09/04/2022 16:42

Sorry photo didn’t post
Next Lipsy dress

Countmeout · 09/04/2022 16:43

Total fail 🤦‍♀️

Countmeout · 09/04/2022 16:45

www3.next.co.uk/style/ls174851/P77536#P77536

Countmeout · 09/04/2022 16:49

Just noticed the ASOS one is jersey, scrub all that 😳

NorthFaceofthelaundrypile · 09/04/2022 19:17

www.marksandspencer.com/animal-print-shirred-waist-maxi-dress/p/clp60530647?color=BLACKMIX&prevPage=srp
This looks far nicer on than in the pic!

Original poster
LostOrFound · 10/04/2022 19:19

Well ASOS lured me in with a 20% discount so the white broderie dress is winging it’s way to me. Will see what it is like.

M&S were also waving a 20% discount at me so I’ve bought the stripy t-shirt dress and this one:

I have been browsing at M&S and found this:

www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-gingham-square-neck-midi-dress/p/clp60540273?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

OP posts:
Swiftylala · 17/04/2022 21:34

Hi I bought this in the sale recently and it's going to become my favourite dress I'm sure! www.frenchconnection.com/products/serge-stripe-sleeveless-shirring-dress-black-summer-white?nosto_source=cmp&nosto=625c7734ce4031400779b0e5

I know it's very different to the ones you've posted. The top is stretchy so will fit any figure and I feel like I could pig out on holiday and it will be hidden in the great fabric of the skirt. I hope you give it a try and also check out French Connection generally. They are so well made and tailored.

Ella15 · 17/04/2022 22:40

I have this in black but it comes in tons of colours, great for day & evening, keeps you cool, no iron needed... www.freepeople.com/uk/shop/love-of-life-midi-dress/?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=016&searchparams=q%3Dlove%2520of%2520my%2520life&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

BitOutOfPractice · 18/04/2022 08:50

@RunningTiger I didn’t know sweaty Betty did dresses. My bank balance now wishes I still didn’t know!

justaweeone · 18/04/2022 08:50

Some of these might be suitable

https://www.tillettsclothing.co.uk/collections/dresses

I haven't bought from this company but it popped up on Facebook
I bought lots of H&M short tunic style dresses last year( not sure if they are on the website this year) that were easy to wash and sling on

theotherfossilsister · 18/04/2022 09:01

There are really beautiful bow back ones on Boden and East at the moment but I can't afford either of them. I love the grey one up thread, it's really sophisticated so not sure I could pull it off.

www.east.co.uk/products/pixie-pink-cotton-maxi-dress

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/nadine-tie-back-midi-dress/sty-d0287

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