Summer dress for size 16-18

[Coffeeforus]

I desperately need one or two summer dresses for when we go on holiday this weekend. I had ordered 4 off Vinted and all were too small. I don’t want to spend a lot as I’m losing weight but this adds an extra challenge given how the price of clothes has gone up so much. Budget up to £30 pref.

I never normally wear dresses but after trying a few on in shops I know I’d more suit something:

Floaty
Not too tent-like otherwise I look even bigger
Cotton or viscose fabrics (not clingy jersey)
Prefer maxi length but midi ok
Darker block colours (floral etc makes me look matronly)
A style that skims my big stomach

The nearest big shopping area to us has an M&S, Next, H&M, New Look, River Island, Fat Face, Zara. It does have other retailers which are too expensive for what I’m after.

Not sure if I’m asking the impossible given the budget..

I'm also a 16 and got this last weekend for my holiday, very tummy skimming!

www.next.co.uk/g76583s4/c67008#c67008

@Mykittensmittens
Just wanted to say thank you for flagging this website. (Apache) I have bought two of these panel dresses now and reiterate everything you said! A game-changer!

At @Ashard20 aren’t they good? I’ve got the tie dye halo one, a splash one and a striped one. My size 10 65 year old DM tried mine and it looked good. I’m 16-18 and it’s also great on me and so bloody comfy.

everyone comments on them. Great shop.

Very tempted by the Apache Panel dress. Can I ask how the skirt hangs without tying it up? It looks like there's a lot of fabric on the sides iyswim. I'm a bottom heavy size 16 and can't picture how it would hang on me and if it would make me look wider on the bottom half!

I'm a similar size OP and have this in stripes and black, really comfy. Jersey/t shirt material but haven't found it too clingy

@DrLucyVanPelt I had that concern too - that it would look really wide, but the clever cut of the "waterfall" panel makes that part of the dress heavier, so it actually hangs a lot closer to the body than you would think - if that makes sense. If you look at the various angles on the model, plus her video clip, it's very true to the actual dress.

I like Mountain warehouse for casual daytime summer dresses, there's always a sale on and dresses tend to be £19.99-£24.99

@Ashard20 Thank you for replying, think I'll be ordering one!

@DrLucyVanPelt Ooooh! Please come back to report how you get on!

@DrLucyVanPelt do you want me to photograph mine on? I’m a 16 but very busty. And not very tall.

Monsoon have a lovely long broderie anglaise dress in at the moment which is £7O but there is a thirty percent offer on so would take it to under£50. It’s white and a maxi.

Bloom Chic:

bloomchic.com/collections/dresses-1

@Mykittensmittens Ah how kind, if you didn't mind that would be amazing, thanks!

Tesco had a long broderie anglaise dress today when I popped in. Long and with spaghetti straps and under £30.

Just popping back to say I ordered this dress and suggested upthread.

It's available in petite so for once, the waist is in the right place for me. The belt detail gives a bit of shape without it being too clingy.

The only thing is, I tried it on in the half dark so I didn't have to turn the hall light on and wake the kids, and I didn't realise how high the slit is. It's fine on holiday, but I'm not sure I'll wear it at home pootling round shops which is a shame.

Still on the hunt for more!

https://go.skimresources.com?id=470X1716091&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.next.co.uk%2Fg75602s6%2Fc88641%23c88641&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mumsnet.com%2Ftalk%2Fstyleandd_beauty%2F4812061-summer-dress-for-size-16-18%3Freply%3D126382966

Can you get to a TKMaxx? As I often find a good variety and quality on a budget. Otherwise online BrandAlley for similar.
I'm a similar size and find shirt dresses flattering, drawing attention upwards away from my tummy/hips etc and can be dressed up and down, and also dresses made of chambray fabric as its cool and makes a nice background to change accessories. I'll see if I can find some current options to share...