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.

These are my go to summer dresses. Light, comfortable, flattering and they don't need ironing. They can be dressed up or down. I have about 6 of them in different prints!
Krisp clothing

my only comment here is

Dont buy anything that isn’t cotton!

Viscose works well here but will be a nightmare in trains and hot weather in Europe.

Desperate for dresses I could buy last year suitable for wandering around a hot city ( with antichaffing shorts underneath) I found Weird fish, Mountain Warehouse and Brakeburn useful. The Brakeburn dress I bought even has pockets.

I'd consider widening your search to thin merino wool. Wicks away sweat, doesn't smell, keeps you cool, barely wrinkles, dries quickly.

I’ve just bought it and I’m a 36 D. I buy quite a lot from The White Company and boobs aren’t generally a problem
I have been looking at for a bit as we are off to Italy this summer and I feel I need to look a bit smarter than usual but this thread has inspired me to buy it.
Its arriving tomorrow

Hopping and Damnspot I hope you like the dress. I also have it in black and I LIVE in it in summer, probably one of the best cost-per-wear items I've ever bought.

That dress plus Birkenstock Arizonas is my summer uniform!

ps it also has pockets!

Oh I'd love it in black

I've literally just walked past trespass and they had some nice looking midi dresses.

As others have said, Mountain warehouse has some great dresses at the moment that would be great for traveling as they have high UV ratings, lots have pockets and hide-the-dirt patterns!

Tu have also had great dresses over the last
few years, so definitely worth checking out too.

M and M direct also have quite a good selection, as do Seasalt.

Places like Seasalt, Fatface and White Stuff usually have loads of loose cotton jersey dresses.

I've got a few of those tie dyed crinkle dresses with a handkerchief hem. The cost between £5 and £10 and can usually be found in the market or Asian shops.

Rohan / patagonia do dresses specifically for travelling. Try vinted or ebay or depop if they're too much at store price.

Linen is better fabric for hot countries (lived experience here). If you can get a linen blend then it may travel better with less crumpling.

I got linen dresses from hollister and hush and next in the past. It doesn't really matter where though. Would say above knee dresses are more comfy in hot weather.
If you're having bare shoulders, think about getting a very thin cardigan because shoulders burn the most. Shoulders, top of head and face.

I like the outdoors and travelling, mixed in. Usually fly with just hand luggage.
I wear tevas (more sturdy soled ones) and linen dresses. And pack a pair of black running shorts as well for more active days. Hokas are great shoes for walking a lot in. The kids versions also go up to adult sizes. :)

Would recommend a cap instead of big sunhat as big sunhats take up loads of room and blown off.

Hope this helps.

Have you looked at the Wool&dresses? They are simple well made dresses made from fine merino wool. Absolutely perfect for travelling and amazing in hit weather. They have quite a following. Also if you wear one for 100 days you get a 100 euros voucher

Don’t go sleeveless with a back pack. I too like Mountain Warehouse and Weird Fish for comfy lightweight jersey dresses

Have you ever worn one on hot weather (like Spain or the South of France)?

Ive been looking at them for ages but have never dare buying them on the grubs they’ll be too hot 🥺🥺

Yes I have! They are lovely and cool! The merino is superior to cotton. Also they dry really quickly and they seem to prevent body odour. If you check out the Facebook page, you can that plenty of others swear especially for travel.

Well that might have convinced me.

They look so lovely too.
Thanks.

Also Rohan
High £
Low style
100% well thought out technical travel clothing!

Placemaking!

There will be aircon on the trains so don't forget a cardigan

Won't your feet be too hot in sketchers? Maybe look at some walking sandels in an outdoor shop

Thanks for this!

There's lots of muslin ( double weave cotton/ gauze cotton ) dresses around. These are crinkled & don't need ironing & would dry quickly. They're available in a whole variety of price points from Me & Em to Matalan/ Sainsbury's/H&M etc. Also M&S have shirts & loose trousers.
I lived in mine during the really hot weather last summer.

Lots of linen in shops at the moment, I'd get:

One pair of linen trousers and baggy shorts
2 linen shirts
Three or four cotton vests/t-shirts can be worn under the shirts if cooler/you need sun protection
One midi skirt, plain and one midi dress, not plain
Birkenstocks
Comfy trainers
Hat
Crossbody handbag, small

It arrived today and unfortunately I look like I’m wearing a sack.
It is comfy but it doesn’t really suit me, it’s too shapeless