Summer dresses for travelling (not posh restaurants or lazing on the beach!)

[LabradorsByTheSea]

While posh restaurants and lazing on the beach would be lovely, DS11 and I are instead spending nine days interrailing in Central Europe and I think it will be HOT!

We will have minimal luggage, I’ll be mostly in Sketchers trainers (I don’t trust anything more attractive to keep my get comfy) and Saltwaters and need dresses that will keep me cool, can be layered and will pack easily. I prefer midi/ maxi styles and cotton or viscose. I’m not too into cute florals. I’m 5 foot 4 and a size 12.

It seems most summer dresses out this year are more suited to teaming with a wide brim hat and statement earrings, rather than hefting rucksacks up the steps to the castles and train stations of Mittel Europe.

Any links to something suitable would be great. Budget up to about £100.

I'd suggest looking at outdoors shops - Regatta, Mountain Warehouse etc. I saw dresses in both of these last Summer in easy wear fabrics (eg cotton jersey), simple designs, often with pockets.

H&M is worth a look to (online if you don't live near a big store) - I've found simple cotton, pull on Summer dresses there in the past.

Uniqlo have loads https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women/tops/dresses-jumpsuits?sz=24 and I know you said dress but these are super comfy https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/linen-blend-jumpsuit-455669.html?dwvar_455669_color=COL57&dwvar_455669_size=SMA001

Or even M&S lots of jersey dresses, https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-jersey-midaxi-t-shirt-dress/p/clp60595621?color=RUST#intid=carousel_FUNH_AT_PHOENIX-SIMILAR_END_PDP_16_2:43cdfa48-6528-4913-b229-67d0deed9603

I'd pack loose open shirts to go with them and again Uniqlo and M&S do both.

This might work from Asda. It comes in other colours too.

Mountain Warehouse dresses are really great. I'm permanently too warm (see username) but they're usually natural fabrics with pockets and are cut surprisingly flatteringly.

I love a maxi but would definitely go midi if you are backpacking! The skirts get stuck under my feet when going up stairs and you don't want to take a tumble!

I'd look at walking / trekking brands for comfy cools fabrics that pack small, don't crease badly in a rucksack and dry quickly when washed.

Craghoppers and Patagonia are great (the latter a bit pricy)

Also good but cotton so less crease-resistant in a rucksack:

Weird Fish
Mountain Warehouse
Peter Storm
Regatta

Hush do loads of simple dresses that would work brilliantly.

Ive got these in various colours. They work with a T-shirt under/ shirt over, they can be dressed up or down, worn with a belt, etc etc.

https://www.hush-uk.com/albee-midi-dress-black/001993-0456.html

Jersey cotton is ideal. It doesn’t crease so handy travelling but also breathable.

Try boden

I agree. I have several Mountain Warehouse dresses that are very easy to wear.

Loads on Weird fish.

T-shirt and skort might work well too.

Try Decathlon.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/browse/c0-women/c1-clothing/c3-skorts/_/N-1u7uus6

I got a couple of them last year. We were sightseeing in Italy and it was 35C - 38C most days.

They have dresses too:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-hiking-dress-exploor/_/R-p-332929?mc=8731968

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AUDATE-Womens-Summer-V-Neck-Pockets/dp/B09MVSKVV6/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=Made%2Bin%2BItaly%2BLinen%2BDresses&qid=1684848399&sr=8-8&th=1&psc=1
I'd be looking at something like this. A decent length so fine for churches, sitting on steps of museums and clambering on trains. Also has sleeves and a covered back (needed when lugging a rucksack). should be hand washable and will dry easily on a hanger.
Definitely wear your comfiest shoes- I lived in Hush Puppies when I inter-railed.

Nobody's Child is good for summer dresses, would you wear something like this? Organic cotton, so would be nice and breathable. Plenty more options re colour, style and with/without sleeves on their website :)

https://www.nobodyschild.com/green-stripe-elora-sleeveless-midi-dress.html

Just make sure you check the label - only buy 100% cotton, or cotton with a bit of spandex or lycra. Polyester will make you a hot sweaty mess although it may at first seem more convenient.

Or linen but you may not like the way it crumples - it doesn't bother me & I have a way of folding/rolling that keeps it fairly smooth.

Another vote for hush-uk (upthread) and/or https://www.royalrobbins.com/eu/en-gb/women/dresses-skirts/dresses

YY to cotton/linen/hemp fabric

Amazing thread! I’m interailing with my two Dcs this summer too. Last year I had some very practical trousers but I felt really frumpy in a chic European city so I’ve been looking for something equally practical but a bit more stylish. I think I’m going to go for navy linen trousers, but a little dress is a great idea.

Mountain warehouse have good travel styles, I got one in fatface too (jersey, packs small) try charity shops if you don't like this year's styles (they are mostly dire)

On another practical note it's also easier to keep a midi out of the way in less than clean places like train toilets, or even in hole in the floor toilets.

Another vote for Mountain Warehouse, they have some lovely jersey dresses that have small sleeves. (I find a small sleeve better with a backpack, than sleeveless, but that just maybe me)

Are you comfortable in dresses and walking lots? I’d need chub rub type shorts to wear under dresses if being very active! Whatever you’re wearing it will be the experiences you remember not what you wore - unless it’s painful clothing/shoes in my experience. Happy travelling!

Also, I found wearing a backpack painful in Italy with vest type tops. The backpack straps were rubbing against my skin and I had to use a sweatshirt over my shoulders to pad it out and my back was 🥵

Look for merino wool - won't stink no matter how much you sweat in it!

this dress is good and the cotton feels silky. pockets too

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/mercerised-cotton-a-line-short-sleeved-dress-455692.html?dwvar_455692_color=COL07&dwvar_455692_size=SMA001

I've got this lovely White Company one in 2 different colours, it's the most flattering and simple summer dress ever. Ideal for summer hols ☀️

www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Square-Neck-Midi-Dress/p/A01434?swatch=Pebble