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?

Ha. That dress is back in a different colour way and I nearly bought it because it was so flattering on me the first time round. Then I remembered I’m 2 stone heavier and fashion has moved on.

They’re too plain, not stylish, don’t warrant the price, and the plus size ones are really unflattering imo.

Agreed.

although I posted a dress with a stupid drill, so what do I know? Desperation on my part (brown suits me 😂).

FRILL!

I love gathered sleeves, makes a pretty dress even prettier.

It's one of the things I look for in a dress.

What's the Zara meme 2018 dress?

This one.

Maybe I’ll buy the incarnation after all.

I haven’t bought a summer dress for two years as I can’t find anything I like. It’s so depressing!

I’m 5’11, too, and most of the midi dresses on the high street are maxi on me! It must be truly awful for you average and short women!

I long for something plain but slightly tailored. Not bodycon tight, but not a big 1980s maternity dress sack. NOT floral or spotty. No stupid embellishments.

The plainer stuff in the shops tends to be long, shapeless t-shirt dresses and I don’t want that either. Is it too much to ask to cut women’s clothes for women’s bodies?

How are they maxi?! Genuinely. Where do you shop?

this looks like a great sundress, actual darts, not too short or long, mostly natural fibres. Have seen a few people in it looking good.

@minipie I do like that but not for my boobs sadly.

I got this yesterday, yes it breaks the rules re slits but very nice on.

I'm not buying summer dresses this year. I have some fit and flare ones that come out every year. They're great, but starting to look a bit tired. But oh, they're perfect. Tall range, so v neck isn't too low. Waist is in right place. Skirt length long enough for work short enough to feel summery.

I suit wrap dresses, but they're too hot for work when it's properly hot.

I am quite tall and angular, so frills and ruffles look ridiculous on me. And they're really not my thing; too twee.

I like shirt dresses, but the waist is always too high. Likewise, tea dresses.

@poppyslashtulip

Thankyou for posting that, I've never seen that dress before, or anybody wearing it.

It looks rather shapeless and plain to me.

Asda have a good selection at the moment. I bought a nice black linen blend summer dress the other day but can’t find it on the website! It’s heavy enough to have nicely and I can go braless as the fabric is thick enough not to show my nips

Also done with fuss, big shoulders, tiers and shapeless sacks.

this is the only one I’ve seen I sort of like this year (Boden).

would like fitted and natural fibres to be back.

Same problem for me with necklines. I don't want to be showing any boobs 😕

I've had some nice ones from Crew Clothing for day to day.

That sums up most of my whinges. Right length - neck too low, stupid half mast/short or no sleeves. Sleeves or neckline alright - too short. Everything else OK- extraneous shit around the neck.

So right. The prints are gopping. And the same type every year. The designers must think we are enjoying them.

The dress makers don't need to fiddle or add crochet backs or splits or side-boob or or dingle dangle rope neck ties.Just a nice well cut plain non-sack dress (Cos but without the parachute-ness) in decent material and to make it interesting maybe a fold at the neck or sleeve. Or various types of necklines where everyone can find something that suits them. And in a variety of good, pattern-free colours. No pastels thanks.

In fairness, one person’s perfect season is another’s shit show. They are never going to please everyone.

I think the Zara dress was a thing because it was universally flattering (even if it wasn’t to everyone’s taste).

Agree that the prints are bloody awful.

I saw this in a garden centre today. Not my colour but it was really well made and had a cotton slip underneath it. It was in the Barbour section and very expensive but looked a really lovely dress. The model on the website does not do it justice.

Roman are doing some great ones. I am mid 30s and 5 foot 3. I always always struggle with clothes. I have also never shopped at Roman but I bought 6 items including dresses and jump suits and they all fit like a dream.

I've done this too on a dress. The sleeves look a lot better, and I don't have electric crawling up my arm whenever I stretch for something.

too big in the bust

And yet will still be too small for my HHs.

Modern fashion sucks.