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Original poster

Where do you get your summer dresses?

71 replies

travelingtortoise · 09/03/2023 16:10

I live in a warm climate and spring has firmly sprung here (23 degrees today).

I had a massive clear out of my wardrobe over the winter and so I'm looking to stock up on dresses for the next year.

But I'm really struggling to find anything nice online! There aren't a lot of options offline for buying clothes where I am, so I've been trawling the internet and I need help.

I'm 35, 5'4, size 10-12. Athletic build, tend to feel a bit heavy around the shoulders so I'm really not a fan of spaghetti straps – ideally looking for V-neck styles in a 'light spring' colour palette.

I can't seem to find anything that would fit the bill – it's all dark colours and moody prints, or teeny-weeny strappy numbers... Where am I going wrong?!

Where do you look online for decent quality, light, swishy, stylish things you can throw on with some sandals and go?

OP posts:
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LadyVictoriaSponge · 09/03/2023 16:16

I’m struggling to find dresses as well mainly because the ‘waist’ of dresses now seems to be directly under the bust about a foot away from my actual waist, it’s incredibly frustrating, I don’t want a tie belt under my boobs, why dresses are like this now I have no idea, and while I’m ranting, dresses with long sleeves, so hard to find, not 3/4 sleeves, long sleeves! I’m going to a wedding in May and desperately need a dress with long sleeves because May could be cold! Sorry to derail from your thread!

mikado1 · 09/03/2023 16:19

I've got some lovely simple sundress from Hush and more recently, Me and Em. I have been lucky in Next too so worth keeping an eye there. I love my summer dresses and can't wait for them again!!

Moredarkchocolateplease · 09/03/2023 16:22

I have a lovely knee length tea dress from nobody's child but they are all long on the website now. I might consider buying a long one and having it taken up.

Otherwise I get them from COS via ebay.

midsomermurderess · 09/03/2023 16:25

I quite like this from Kin, cotton and loose-fitting. You might need to size down quite a bit with Kin. This too

PenCreed · 09/03/2023 21:18

Emily and Fin have some lovely stuff. I also like Joanie.

Netcam · 09/03/2023 21:54

midsomermurderess · 09/03/2023 16:25

I quite like this from Kin, cotton and loose-fitting. You might need to size down quite a bit with Kin. This too

I would look ridiculous in a dress like that with my petite frame. There seem to be so many dresses out there like that which simply don't work for small people.

MultipleVeganPies · 09/03/2023 21:58

It’s tough

i hate midi, I hate puff sleeves, baggy dresses, and floral

yet this is all there is 😂

it’s like the same clothes everywhere

so will still be wearing my knee length and mini dresses from years ago

MultipleVeganPies · 09/03/2023 22:00

LOL I had not even looked at the dress in the link 😂😂😂 bingo, all my hates in one dress

OP: try eBay? Vinted ?

Netcam · 09/03/2023 22:04

MultipleVeganPies · 09/03/2023 21:58

It’s tough

i hate midi, I hate puff sleeves, baggy dresses, and floral

yet this is all there is 😂

it’s like the same clothes everywhere

so will still be wearing my knee length and mini dresses from years ago

Me too

CampervanKween · 09/03/2023 22:05

I got lots of lovely dresses from Nobody's Child last year

www.nobodyschild.com/dresses.html

You seem to be able to search by length etc.

Got mine in the sales. Some as little as £13 and they wear really well.

VintageVest · 09/03/2023 22:08

It's too cold here to think about dress shopping but last year I got a couple of nice ones from Joules. One was on their eBay outlet so was a good price. Fat Face is always worth a look, they have a lot of fussy looking prints but sometimes you can find a gem.

VenusClapTrap · 09/03/2023 22:10

Aspiga. Plumo. Monsoon.

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 09/03/2023 22:24

I love a summer marquee dress, the type that fits at the shoulders and then widens and widens until it looks like you're wearing a marquee. It has to be cotton. I have one from M&S from about four years ago and last year I got lucky with a couple from ASOS, but I think the ASOS thing was a one off as everything seems to be polyester usually.

This year I'm making myself one from a really pretty pattern that claims to be 'confident beginner', so we'll see how that goes.

toucaninjapan · 09/03/2023 22:29

I've posted this on another thread, but I'm very impressed with the new Uniqlo & Ines de la Fressange collaboration's dresses. It's 100% cotton, not pricey, but very flattering, I'm thinking of getting it in another colorway too.
I also saw some cute flowery dresses on Boden's website.

Where do you get your summer dresses?
Where do you get your summer dresses?
Where do you get your summer dresses?
Rina66 · 09/03/2023 22:31

I've just bought these 3 dresses and love them all!

Where do you get your summer dresses?
Where do you get your summer dresses?
Where do you get your summer dresses?
EasterIssland · 09/03/2023 22:34

I just got one from meem but they’re expensive.
other stories too

toucaninjapan · 09/03/2023 22:34

Oh yes I also have a dress in the same print from H&M that @Rina66 has mentioned! Mine has long sleeves though.
It's really lovely and also 100% cotton

Where do you get your summer dresses?
rosie561 · 09/03/2023 22:46

toucaninjapan · 09/03/2023 22:34

Oh yes I also have a dress in the same print from H&M that @Rina66 has mentioned! Mine has long sleeves though.
It's really lovely and also 100% cotton

This is a lovely dress and looks fab on you! Do you happen to have a link to it please?

toucaninjapan · 09/03/2023 22:51

@rosie561 I believe this is the UK link, but it looks like almost all the sizes are sold out :(
www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1145788001.html?dd

CampervanKween · 09/03/2023 22:52

toucaninjapan · 09/03/2023 22:29

I've posted this on another thread, but I'm very impressed with the new Uniqlo & Ines de la Fressange collaboration's dresses. It's 100% cotton, not pricey, but very flattering, I'm thinking of getting it in another colorway too.
I also saw some cute flowery dresses on Boden's website.

Love this dress. Yes there are a couple of nice plain dresses in that range.

rosie561 · 09/03/2023 22:59

toucaninjapan · 09/03/2023 22:51

@rosie561 I believe this is the UK link, but it looks like almost all the sizes are sold out :(
www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1145788001.html?dd

Think you very much!

ArianahX · 09/03/2023 23:19

I got a nice mini summer shirt dress from River Island sale online but with the summer dresses you have to wade through lots of skimpy stuff. They also have some midi & maxi dresses. I can buy online from there as I know my size.

I also buy summer clothes from the local shops I can afford which are basically New Look, Next, Primark, F&F, Accessorize, Zara, TK Maxx.
My size varies in each shop so I've given up online.

We have an M&S but I find their stuff a bit older. Also a Sainsbury but you see everyone wearing it.

ArianahX · 09/03/2023 23:20

Our local Monsoon has lovely summer dresses but far too pricey even with offers on.

Agapornis · 10/03/2023 00:18

Following for top tips - I think we have the same build! I really don't like spaghetti straps. Give me something that covers my bra straps and doesn't make my shoulders look massive. (Even though I work hard for those muscles...)

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