Dress for someone that never wears dresses 65+

[superstar63]

I live in leggings and tunic type tops (bum covering) am size 14 on the bottom but can get away with 10/12 on top usually.

I would love to wear dresses in the summer but cant remember the last time I wore one. Arms are not good and neither are legs so would need elbow length sleeves, not too high neck and midi length. I know I would feel very self conscious so need to just bite the bullet and do it.

I have looked on Matalan, Ebay, Vinted etc. and not found anything i like (floaty) etc. A line.

Any help would be wonderful, thanks

If you go to the H&M website and type in cotton shirt dress you’ll find some good options.

Roman have some lovely dresses for all ages & shapes.

Almost every shop or website that sells clothes for women sells dresses.

If you're looking at the High Street, then M&S, Next, Jigsaw, Whistles, Seasalt, Hobbs, LK Bennett, John Lewis, Anthropologie, Zara, H&M are as good as any to start looking.

Marks and spencers have many styles/lengths/sleeves. Maybe go to your local one and grab an armful to try on?

If you're looking for cotton shirt dress's Per Una normally do them every year in a fine cotton lawn. But not this year for some reason. There are several on eBay.
Size 12's attached. I have about 5 in different colours & bring them out every year as they're so light & easy to wear. Failing that Zara seem to do similar.

When did MNHQ set up that if you mention J...ohn L....ewis and Sparks and Mencers that it automatically creates web links?

https://www.marksandspencer.com/polka-dot-v-neck-tie-waist-midi-wrap-dress/p/clp22581495#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r2c2|prodflag_Online%20Only

https://www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-polka-dot-v-neck-midi-wrap-dress/p/clp60638668#intid=pid_pg2pip19g4r1c1

That's from Finery. I forgot about Finery. I've not bought anything but on they've got nice stuff on their website.

Thanks for the ideas and links, somehow `i had forgotten about good old Marks, will have a look.

I also love anything with spots/polka dots but have an awful lot of tops like that already but always room for one more lol.

Nobody’s Child Starlight dresses might work for you - try here: https://www.nobodyschild.com/collections/starlight-dresses

If you're looking for a summer dress, look for linen or cotton (or linen-cotton blend). I'd start with solid colour dress rather than a print. And suggest going somewhere like John lewis to try on few dresses in which kind of style you feel comfortable

Helen Berman does some for QVC, might one of these suit? I've filtered by length and with sleeves, in order of highest price to lowest price. If you like the shape, then you may find a different colour option when you click. Some of these shapes will be very flattering on smaller chest/bigger hips. Many of them will have video clips so you can see how the dress works from all angles

https://www.qvcuk.com/fashion/dresses/helene-berman/_/N-lfmdZ1z13ygyZ1z13ymzZ1z13yo5Z1z13ztjZ1z13ztkZ1z13ztx/c.html?limit=96&sort=Price+-+High+to+Low&ro=lfmdZ1z13yo5Z1z13ztxZ1z13ygyZ1z13ztjZ1z13ztkZ1z13ymz&navSrc=REFINE#plModule

I bought this from M&S in the sienna colour for this summer. They usually have quite a few loose summer dresses every year, although not always in my colours. It comes up a bit large, I usually wear an 18 but bought this in 16. https://www.marksandspencer.com/linen-rich-printed-v-neck-midaxi-dress/p/clp60632407?color=SIENNA#intid=pidpg1pip48g4r10c4

Masai Copenhagen

https://www.qvcuk.com/fashion/dresses/_/N-lfmdZ1iduczmZ1z13ygyZ1z13ymzZ1z13z6lZ1z13ztjZ1z13ztx/c.html?limit=96&ro=lfmaZ1z13z6lZlfmdZ1z13ymzZ1iduczmZ1z13ztxZ1z13ygyZ1z13ztj&navSrc=REFINE&currentPage=1&sort=Price+-+High+to+Low#plModule

I love that dress but think its a bit too low cut for me but may be worth a try on to see if it would work, thank you.

I don’t know, but it’s annoying. It took the whole world to my JL account history when I posted on here!

Debenhams online, you can filter by length, sleeve length etc.

I am a similar build to you so know the kind of thing you are looking for, luckily lots of midi dress around though some are swampingly long! I have dresses from Seasalt, Boden, French Connection, White Stuff, Masai and H&M. I would second the suggestion of going to somewhere with a good range and trying on a few different styles. If you have to do online look at Gemini Woman, they have a good selection.

@FormerlySpeckledyHen have you told MN about it?

Yes @JaneJeffer they deleted my post in a matter of seconds 😮‍💨