Problems with summer dresses in the shops right now

[Clotheswoe]

I've been trying to find some nice summer dresses to buy. I'm a size 12, mid/late 30s.

I'm struggling find any that suit me and that I'm comfortable wearing.

Main issues are:

• Many are wrap dresses and don't feel secure, especially when it's windy

• I would like a waist line where my waist actually is - and I can't find dresses like this

• Dresses seem to either cling in all the wrong places, or the opposite and they drown me.

Anyone else having issues with summer dresses?

Saw a lovely frock the other day…. Completely ruined by cut outs at the sides. Not ideal for 90% of women over a certain age. And this wasn’t some cheapy Shein thing designed for 16 year old twigs, it was £280 in LK Bennett!! But

Try Oliver bonas https://www.oliverbonas.com/fashion/teal-blue-textured-tiered-midi-dress-366780#selection.color=15

@andfinallyhereweare That is hideous.

@ifIwerenotanandroid and @Anuggetofpurestgreen they've put discrete zips or buttons up the front of some of their dresses, so you can have it open for a bit (or a lot) of a V neck if you want

Have they?? That's genius. Me+Em are so good. Although I'd quite like to see the final effect on the website to assess revealingness.

So do I - and I also love a sack-like linen dress (runs away and hides)

@ShyPoet don’t wear it then… 🤷🏻‍♀️

They look beautiful on other people but all I see in the mirror is a frilly lampshade! 😱

@ShyPoet love how seriously you’re taking this… 😂😂😂

Jesus wept

Everything is just so cheaply made, even expensive brands don't line anything anymore. I have a small chest and even I think bust darts make things hang so much better.

Also, I've noticed companies are making plackets with fewer buttons, oh the gaping. And the fully elastic waists, those were only for children before!

Linen mix can be ok-ish but I've seen some recently that literally look like they're hanging in a charity shop, pre-bobbled (Uniqlo and m&s).

Swallowdoubleandrunamile I love black in the summer! It feels sophisticated, especially with tan leather and gold accessories, and big sunglasses.

I’ve just bought this. I like it because it’s all the things most dresses aren’t at the moment: short, plain, no tiers or flounces. I’ve got the black version and plan to wear it with tan sandals, a gold cuff and hoops and my new ‘turtle dove grey’ handbag: https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/carla-linen-short-dress-brilliant-blue/sty-d0942-blu

Let’s hope so. I’m too old to dress like a five year old going to a princess party.

The only thing that dress does have that you’re complaining about is a tiered skirt? People have been discussing puff sleeves, not ‘wide gaping ones’. It doesn’t have a very low neckline
and the model isn’t flashing any side boob.

^
Absolutely this! Most dresses appear to have been designed only for women of Amazonian proportions. There is very little for those of a more petite stature.
Also, why does everything sleeveless have huge gaping arm holes?

This isn't just a height issue - low neck lines, gaping arm holes and way too much fabric on what should just be a light, floaty dress is an issue for taller women too.

Like a PP I have a lovely linen dress, but I have to wear a vest underneath because the neck line is gaping.

I do have a few dresses w/o gaping arms though.

Go steady on the stairs with your voluminous dress!

I think it would look quite good on me.

Oh my gosh, yes! Please! Or it actually produces the dress for you (quick, somebody invent a dress printer)

I have so many concerns about AI (mainly job-related) but I could get on board with this!

I think Albaray are now edging towards plain wearable dresses, I like this one...

https://www.albaray.co.uk/products/jersey-vest-dress-black-ss24?prproddstrat=pinned&prreccid=62fec796a&prreccpid=8316244918509&prreffpid=8357536891117&pr_seq=uniform

I'll be okay, no stairs - and by sack like I don't actually mean voluminous, just not overly shaped.

Thanks for your concern

I attempted to post but my post seems to have disappeared. I thought I would switch to skirts with a simple tee to avoid statement sleeves and frilly yokes, but most of the skirts appear to be tiered too! Why does everyone want to look like a lampshade?

Tiers make me look short. I'm not short, I'm 5"6 with fairly long legs, but they make me look squat. Also the tiers that go across the widest part of your bum... why would anyone design that?

I know it’s not popular, but I want dresses of about knee length. I need an A line or loose/circle skirt. Smocking is a no no. I want to be able to wear a normal bra with it. I don’t want anything too low cut or too high cut. The fabric needs to feel nice. I don’t want pastels or colours that are too dark.

Yes, I’m too picky.

I just want a comfortable dress that covers my knobbly knees and my wobbly arms. I don't want puff sleeves - I am no longer a child in the 1950s. However, a 1950s style shirt dress would do very nicely. My mother had several, all in lovely prints and colours. Very practical and flattering.