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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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Paq · 10/03/2023 07:08

As you would expect, where I live (Cornwall) is heavily in favour of Seasalt and their stuff is really good quality - lasts for absolutely years! But I have wider than average shoulders and find their cotton dresses too restrictive across the back as a result. I can wear their jersey dresses though.

Humphriescushion · 10/03/2023 07:52

It may not be your style ( is a bit like Boden when I liked them), but I came across this shop recently and really liked it. They are online as well and is a bit strange because I don’t like the look of the clothes quite as much online but in real life they are lovely ( well for an old fan of boden type😀). www.kinglouie.fr

LoveLabradors · 10/03/2023 07:57

Hush had some lovely sundresses last summer - a bargain in the sale. Beautiful prints. Thicker straps so a bra could be worn. As usual with hush had to size down!

LoveLabradors · 10/03/2023 07:58

Meant to say they departed from their usual shapeless styles to a far more flattering and fitted shape. I hope they do more like that.

Original poster
travelingtortoise · 10/03/2023 08:07

Oh wow, thanks everyone! Reassuring to know I'm not the only one struggling with what seems to be available these days. Unfortunately I live in a place that not everyone ships to, (including Uniqlo, @toucaninjapan - sad face), so I feel extra-trapped!

Some of those shirt and wrap dresses on Aspiga were just the right kind of thing, @VenusClapTrap – and that shop's at the top of my budget so I'd have to tread carefully...

Maybe I need to come back to the UK and go to Sainsbury's!

OP posts:
Gufo · 10/03/2023 08:25

I got some great 100% cotton ones from TU last year

Saturnsmoon · 10/03/2023 09:23

OP I could have written your post. Also based abroad in a warmer climate that has limited options for shopping. I was already in need of a wardrobe refresh but now have the added complication of being pregnant and not wanting to buy too much stuff I’m not going to fit in to for long. Going to take a look at some of the recommendations.

sixfoot · 10/03/2023 09:25

cos
asos
the outnet
matches / NaP (sales only!)

ferntwist · 10/03/2023 09:57

@toucaninjapan you look absolutely gorgeous! Love the gingham dress especially. Can I ask how tall you are? Also your tips for styling dresses in winter/spring? I never know what to do about tights and I’m still not fully comfortable wearing trainers with dresses, although I know everyone does. Thank you!

ferntwist · 10/03/2023 10:16

@Humphriescushion Love that King Louie link. Absolutely beautiful items. As you say, like classic Boden

rookiemere · 10/03/2023 10:56

A couple of good options in this collection. I've ordered the blue and white and the black thisisunfolded.com/collections/collection-06

MrsSamR · 10/03/2023 11:04

I bought a lovely dress in the Crew Clothing sale that I'll (hopefully) fit into this summer after I've lost my baby weight! There are some other lovely ones too!

Where do you get your summer dresses?
Bideshi · 10/03/2023 11:09

Poetry perhaps?

Aintnosupermum · 10/03/2023 11:30

I’m in Texas and most of these dresses are too warm for the summers here. It’s HOT!

I have had success in j crew and of all places Costco which had some plain black linen dresses. M&S had a good linen mix dress which works in the heat. Shoes wise I have the whole collection of John Lewis espadrilles in every colour. Heel and toe are covered.

TheBirdintheCave · 10/03/2023 11:40

I make my own dresses as I can't find the genuine 50's style that I like in shops :)

Original poster
travelingtortoise · 10/03/2023 12:42

rookiemere · 10/03/2023 10:56

A couple of good options in this collection. I've ordered the blue and white and the black thisisunfolded.com/collections/collection-06

Ooh I LOVE the green jumpsuit here – and what a wonderful business model. Will definitely keep an eye on them – thanks for the recommendation!

OP posts:
Original poster
travelingtortoise · 10/03/2023 12:45

Aaaah, just seen they don't ship outside the UK.

Sob.

OP posts:
toucaninjapan · 10/03/2023 12:59

@ferntwist it's so kind of you to say that, thank you!
I'm 164.5 cm tall.
Re tights, I remember I was reading a Japanese fashion magazine some time ago, and they had this article saying that black tights are "boring" and you can make your outfit look more stylish if you pair brown tights with skirts and dresses in warmer colors and grey tights if you choose to wear cool colors.
So I thought I'd try it out, got thermal heattech tights from Uniqlo in various colors and started combining them with different outfits, and I actually quite like it. I find grey textured tights really versatile and I like wearing my pink skirts with brown tights etc.
I don't know if you can clearly see it from the photos (sorry for the mess btw, we were moving some stuff), but I'm wearing dark green tights with the skirt that has green details on it, brown tights with a red dress and the last photo shows textured tights from Boden which I absolutely love, they go with everything basically. For brown tights I'd put my brown or leopard boots on, for cooler shades I'd choose black boots. Or trainers. Grin
In spring I'd mainly wear brown tights or nude tights (nude tights are very accepted where I live, they are not considered unfashionable like in France for example).
I'm trying to up my socks game, although I'm not there quite yet, but I'm planning to challenge myself with throwing outfits with loafers & socks paired with some flowy dresses for spring.

Where do you get your summer dresses?
Where do you get your summer dresses?
Where do you get your summer dresses?
mrssmiling · 10/03/2023 14:35

Tend to look at the White Company, Cos, Hush and Thought….also M&S. For occasional amazing dress bargains www.mountainwarehouse.com/womens/dresses/

GettingStuffed · 10/03/2023 14:51

I went into M&S this morning and could have spend hundreds on the dresses I liked

dreamingofsun · 11/03/2023 11:40

slightly unusual place for summer dresses - it was mentioned on here so i checked - is mountain warehouse. i've not bought any myself as i have an excess but they did look quite appealing and reasonably priced

Niftythrifter · 11/03/2023 11:44

New Look ( cotton) and Cath Kidston (cotton)

VenusClapTrap · 11/03/2023 17:28

Accessorize have a great range of cotton beach dresses at the moment.

mewkins · 11/03/2023 17:57

Paq · 10/03/2023 07:08

As you would expect, where I live (Cornwall) is heavily in favour of Seasalt and their stuff is really good quality - lasts for absolutely years! But I have wider than average shoulders and find their cotton dresses too restrictive across the back as a result. I can wear their jersey dresses though.

I was going to say seasalt. Great for cotton dresses. I bought a few lovely ones in the sale last year. Also gap do some decent plain cotton dresses.