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?

Well, if none of us are wearing the Little-house-on-the-prairie dresses, I can see what's going to be in the summer sales in the shops.. along with all the bikinis they haven't managed to sell for the last however many years.
Why don't they just give the things to charity?

I really like that

This is lovely

This looks great! But why only do it in white (will mark instantly) and bright orange?? Come on M&S!!

It is nice...but in the TV ad it looks very low cut, so I'd discounted it as possibly a bit 'hello and have you met my bra' in real life, please will you report back when you've tried it on?

I have a couple of viscose dresses from baukjen and they hang so nicely. Not had any problems with shrinkage.

I'm an apple shape. It's so difficult to find flattering dresses that help create a waist.

Me. I have wispy hair and a round face, they match me. Anything too plain and angular makes me look as if I've borrowed someone else's clothes, even if the fit is perfect.

I don't know why everyone is struggling to find lined dresses. I spend from £5 to £350 on mine and 75% have linings. 90% of those that don't, don't need one.

My pet hate is elbow length sleeves or 3/4 length sleeves. The former looks frumpy on me, making my boobs look even wider, I need short sleeves to be short and end at the top of my boobs. The latter wrinkle up under a jacket and annoy me, plus I dislike having cold wrists. I have long arms I think and like my long sleeves to cover part of my hands ideally. The average length for long sleeves seems to end just before my wrist bones and I also end up getting rid of things that shrink in the wash because of this. I'm not having any particular trouble finding what I want though.

Agree. I'm not a fan of animal
Prints.

I just can’t understand why the obsession with puff sleeves- you can’t comfortably put a jacket or a cardie over them, and last summer was a jacket/ cardie summer enough to have surely killed any “interesting shoulder” demand

Dresses that gape so I end up adding press studs

I don't like low necks either or shirt dresses

Yes am collecting it tomorrow so will report back! I hope it’s not too low cut at I’m still quite big busted after having my baby, so struggle with this a lot recently!!!!

I feel your pain. I also never wear anything sleeveless, and at 5 ft 7 in I also find a lot of skirts and dresses too long. I'm in NZ, so it seems to be a worldwide trend (and yes, the models all seem to be 5 ft 10 in tall here too!).

I have this dress (but in a different print - yellow/green floral) and I've worn it a lot. It's one of the only dresses I've bought over the last two years that has a waist where my actual waist is. It's light and airy too.

@Clotheswoe - I like that dress! I’ve never bought from & other stories, what’s the sizing like?

I have 2 of the stories dresses too and I really liked them when they fit. I’m too fat at the moment 😭

I find their sizing on the smaller side @FancyBiscuitsLevel

Dress looks lovely but wish it had a higher neckline and the buttons would gape on me

Like these!
https://princessdianabookboutique.wordpress.com/2015/01/22/princess-diana-maternity-style-article-of-the-day-1982-maternity-designs/

Those from Joanie don't shrink either.

Me again. Inspired/enabled by this thread I've had this delivered today.

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/cotton-maxi-tie-neck-dress-surf-the-web-calathea-leaf/sty-d0889-aqu

It has the dreaded tiers, but I thought it wouldn't be that obvious with the style and it isn't. It's LOVELY, pretty and swooshy - and it's proper, old school Boden quality - lined, nicely finished and it has pockets.

I ordered petite, which ended up more midi than maxi on 5ft4 me, so I've reordered. Sizing is true to size apart from that.

Looks like a great shape. As per boden usual though, only available in brightly coloured patterns!

It's really not that bright - normal blue and soft pink, with a really subtle gold thread weaved in. I'm your typical mousey haired, pale skinned type and it doesn't overpower me.

Incidentally (and I swear I don't work for Boden PR), after a few years when I bought nothing at all from them as it was all weird, aimed at skinny teenagers and also rubbish quality, I think Boden might (crosses fingers) be back on form as I had a nice top in the same delivery and they appear to be employing grownups as models again too.

Didn’t they do that slightly offensive apology a couple of years ago, for offering clothes that were too young and trendy for their target market of 40 something mums? (I paraphrase but not much)

I can do bright colours easily- I am dark skinned- but I can't bear florals as they make me feel itchy and fussy and weird all over.

Having said that, I wore a green cotton striped dress yesterday with statement sleeves, because I was taking the Tube and I wanted to be cool. Got a lot of compliments. Maybe I should wear poufy sleeves more often, despite feeling silly in them. Unfortunately it was a holiday purchase, so I can't buy another like that.