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?

There are some quite nice bits in the Brakeburn sale!

That Boden dress is so so pretty. I wish I wasn't so broke!

Ok so as promised… it isn’t too low cut, I think it’s just ok for me (32E) and not too exposing although there is some cleavage. The length is nice and it feels good on. Going to keep it. :)

At 5”5 all the dresses I like are trailing on the floor.

@Timeforachocolate , I’m 5ft 6 and I’m having the same problem.

I haven’t bought much lately .
I am 5’2” size 10 and did get the Fatface Adele dress in navy but I do wish it didn’t have one tier on the bottom .
all my other clothes are old

I’ve ordered another dress too. Pure cotton. It’s tiered at the bottom though…

Still waiting on the M&S polka dot one.

Lots of lovely ideas on this thread.

Where is that lovely dress from 😀

Thank you 😊 it’s Zara!

I was in Zara today, they had quite a few lovely plain linen mix dresses that I thought were lovely. Definitely worth checking out.

That's all very well, but if I want a linen dress I want it to be linen - NOT linen mix. There are far too many "mixes" these days.

I do like the shape of the One Hundred Stars Rachel dress, but they're very seen once and never forgotten, I bought mine in the sale so it wasn't £120.
I got this one this year which I love as it's such a similar shape but only £32 and I like it because the print is not as out there as the One Hundred Stars one....

https://manamou.co.uk/products/jungle-dress-black?pos=10&&sid=3eac814f7&ss=r

I dislike tiers and smocking, only wear cotton or linen summer dresses and prefer a lining. This has drastically limited my dress options over the past couple of years.

However, I just picked this up and it’s absolutely lovely. It would only suit certain colourings (there are other fabrics) but it’s beautifully made and so comfortable. https://emilyandfin.co.uk/collections/plaids-and-checks/products/roberta-jaipur-plaid-dress

Here are 3 I’ve bought recently. I’m 5’5 and pear shaped, around size 10/12 depending on brand.

I also bought a short sleeved dark denim belted dress from Next last year and had it shortened to knee length. Have posted a picture as lots of denim around. I adore this dress. Was previously nearly at ankle length.

White Stuff

Albaray

Zara

Love the Emily & Fin, it's gorgeous - reminds me of Elmer the elephant.

Also love the Zara khaki one.

The Emily and Fin dress is fabulous. Love those colours and they are the type of colours I wear a lot. Bit uncertain about the tie waist.

Try being shorter.

I see dresses I really like but when I put it up to me there is so much material on the floor.

It’s not like you can just get something hemmed as the rest of the dress just doesn’t fit either

Gave up shopping in the women’s department years ago.

Dd who is very very tall doesn’t shop in the women’s department as for someone reason they make children’s clothes for someone with long legs but it looks like the designers think as soon as you reach adulthood your legs shrink.

If you look at a rack of trousers and find the ones that from waist to ankle are the longest they are either a much bigger size

or

They think your bum hangs down and finishes somewhere just above your knees.

They don’t believe you can be slim and have long legs, even though they think children can

The sizing is screwed

I was so disappointed by the quality of the one hundred stars dresses as I love their prints and have a few scarves, headbands etc. Got two dresses in the sale and both had to go to the charity shop for ragging after very minimal wear as they just disintegrated at the seams. Felt ripped off for the sale price so would have been even more gutted if I’d paid £100+.

That's nice. I can do that shape!

As a tall woman I can tell you they’re not made for us either.
They’re all midi dresses so they look longer but the waists are at boob height.

I actually think the Manamou one is better than the One Hundred Stars one @ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea as the pockets are in the sides and it doesn't have a back split or that funny dip at the front. I liked the black so much I bought the navy too, but it looks good with heels, flats or trainers so I figured I'll wear them loads. I also bought the TU stone coloured sandals £20 (like the Dune Locations £90) and they match the stone background of the dress perfectly

Agree. They’re made for women who are 5’6, a size 10 and lightly curved.

I’m 5’9, a size 12 and fairly long bodied. The waists sit under my boobs and the dresses are really awkward lengths.

They need to start making dresses in 3 lengths tbh.

I do a lot of raiding of eBay/vinted for dresses. Summer dresses have been collected over the years including some handmade ones.
Only nee summer dress recently bought was last year from joules and I live in it! Still seems to be available https://www.joules.com/style/su008766/n02603?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxqayBhDFARIsAANWRnTwHDOvhlYmyQHDMESKzE3GrRQSiFe2jz0KllXccIDOK_gvMAyVp6oaArmTEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#n02603&mch=ppc&mcpt=&mcpn=&mct=&mkw=&tid=pla-2276297437814&_$ja=tsid:%7Cacid:%7Ccid:20791684977%7Cagid:162740235344%7Ctid:pla-2276297437814%7Ccrid:681964144268%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:17338000129887750436%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:1006949&s_kwcid=AL!5941!3!681964144268!!!g!!
Know exactly what you mean about some of the dresses on sale.....

Just bought this for my sister who is 5 ft 2 for her daughters wedding. It's the perfect length and sleeves are right too, but you would hope so as it's petite.

fhwt.app.link/921sml2FFJb

Just bought four midi dresses today from Mountain Warehouse. Exactly what I was looking for.