Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Problems with summer dresses in the shops right now

383 replies

Clotheswoe · 14/05/2024 00:27

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?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
32
ShyPoet · 14/05/2024 23:46

Too many modern clothes do not seem to recognise that some women have breasts, and sometimes fairly large ones.

bendmeoverbackwards · 14/05/2024 23:50

@poppyslashtulip really like the M&S dress, please report back!

Original poster
Clotheswoe · 14/05/2024 23:52

worryworrysuperscurry · 14/05/2024 17:43

I really resent the fact that the puff/elasticated sleeves, tiered designs and shirred panels are a way of cutting costs, yet they are everywhere.
I've just bought some linen mix fabric, and I'm going to be making a dress for the first time in twenty years. I used to sew a lot when I was in my teens and twenties, and I know how to adjust patterns, so I thought I'd give it a go. At least this way I can put darts in!

Good luck @worryworrysuperscurry with making your dress! I'm sure it will be lovely.

OP posts:
BabyPigeon · 14/05/2024 23:56

Roman hasn't worked for me sadly. I'm short (5'1") so I made two orders, because they have a petite range.
I had to return both, the dresses were made from the thinnest viscose material, almost see through, the type of material with no weight that you have constantly check to mare sure is still covering your rear end. The designs were fine but the low quality material really let let them down.
I struggle to find suitable things to wear in nice fabrics, I'm short and fat and it's slim pickings for me. I'm trying to loose weight to make my life easier.

CharlotteBog · 15/05/2024 00:04

I have this Kkhaki Tiered Jersey Maxi Dress from Sainsbury's.
It is LONG. I got regular length and I am 5'8" and slim.
I love it. I don't get on with regular maxi dresses as I find they have too much fabric, but this is a simpler style.

Buy Khaki Tiered Jersey Maxi Dress 8S | Dresses | Tu

Buy Khaki Tiered Jersey Maxi Dress 8S at Tu. Thousands of products for next day delivery or free in store collection.

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc143979455

Lopella · 15/05/2024 00:15

Flossieskeeper · 14/05/2024 00:31

I’m 5’5. All dresses seem to be made for 6’ Swedish women.

I'm 6'.... there's never any dresses for us, even ones who claim that they're "tall."

ShyPoet · 15/05/2024 00:24

They all just seem so badly cut. Wide sleeves and loose fitting so that there is very little skill in the design of the pattern or the cutting. It ends up making even expensive dresses look cheap.
Virtually all the dresses recommended in the thread just look cheap. The kind of thing £20 years ago that would have only been sold in dirt cheap shops.
I have old dresses that were not expensive and are well designed for a female body.

askmenow · 15/05/2024 01:50

TalkSomeSense1 · 14/05/2024 17:15

Sorry ...but Shein are dreadful. Their clothes maybe cheap and what you are looking for but is it really worth it. Every time someone mentions 'Shein' on here, my heart sinks.
https://time.com/6247732/shein-climate-change-labor-fashion/

Show quote history

I thought this too... should we really stoop so low as to support the Chinese rag trade...

Isn't there some mention of the persecuted Chinese Uyghurs bring used in slave Chinese clothing manufacture.

PalomaJaneintheDales · 15/05/2024 02:48

NeverDropYourMooncup · 14/05/2024 19:40

Sleeves are awful - they're either non existent on so called workwear (sorry, in exactly what professional environment is it appropriate to see my armpits and bra?) or godawful 3/4 that actually means 'we decided to skimp on the fabric and do a crappy tight stitched gather job instead of finishing it properly or giving you enough fabric to push it to your elbow'.

Necklines - nobody wants to see the gap between my tits. NOBODY. And I might just spontaneously combust with the frills, flaps, ties, bows, strings, ruffles and kerfuffle all around my throat if I don't want to get my tits out for the office.

Flounces and tiers, uneven hemlines (like fuck is it waterfall, handkerchief, curved up like you're wearing an old man's nightshirt or whatever you call it. You mean 'we can't be arsed to pay for a straight seam'. Piss off with your assumption that everybody also wants splits and shit when they've looked for something below the knee. After all, the only other choice would seemingly be barely covering one's arsecheeks and I'm way past the stage where I'm going to wear something that requires a full leg and bikini wax before setting foot in a public space.

And pattern. Seriously, just FUCK OFF NOW with the ditzy floral and animal print.

I just want to cover what I want to cover (which is pretty much all of it), not get a migraine from a pattern shrieking at me and look relatively respectable for work. I found one frock two years ago. One. And that's black - looks bloody marvellous on, but I can't wear just one black frock every day for the next two decades (although it is, like everything that isn't a crumpled mess in ten seconds after ironing for hours - oh, sorry, I mean 'high in linen' - entirely synthetic).

😂😂😂😂Absolutely hilarious and spot on!

PosyPrettyToes · 15/05/2024 02:59

It seems like everything is linen or linen mix this season. No thank you. I. DO. NOT. IRON.

madmumofteens · 15/05/2024 06:01

I thought it was me and my bod so thank you for the thread!! I tried on loads of dresses the other week I look like molly maid with all the tiers tight across boobs and huge from under boob down. Bought a shirt dress looks great until I sit down and it gapes from boobs to belly! I've given up tbh digging through wardrobe and dusting off relics to see what I can get away with lol

SnapdragonToadflax · 15/05/2024 06:33

gerispringer · 14/05/2024 17:32

https://www.poetryfashion.co.uk/category-POEDS/dresses-skirts.htm
I like this Poetry summer dress
£££ I know but if you want well made natural fibres it’s going to cost more than fast fashion .

This is exactly what I've been looking for, thank you! Price is painful but hopefully I'd wear it for years.

TheFraud · 15/05/2024 06:41

poppyslashtulip · 14/05/2024 21:58

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

Show quote history

I shop on the high street. I tried a load of summer dresses on recently - New Look, Apricot, H&M, Zara, M&S. The majority were at least ‘midaxi ’ on me and I’ve got really long legs. Honest!

RichTea90 · 15/05/2024 06:59

Yep, all shapeless and poor quality…

I am 5”3 and a size 10-12… absolute nightmare

JustEatTheOneInTheBallPit · 15/05/2024 08:09

I pretty much exclusively wear dresses, since my C-sec left me with the most disgusting, flabby’n’floppy stomach which cannot go near skirts and trousers.

I am at a loss this season. I’ve bought about 9 new dresses and none of them work for me. 😢

Itsneverme · 15/05/2024 08:28

I recently got a load from ASDA couldn't believe how well they fit a couple had no shape but I put a thin belt around and they look amazing!

jannier · 15/05/2024 09:25

I'm going to get a hand held sewing machine and turn mine up . I'm 5'4" and they still touch my trainers not great for work

Lentilweaver · 15/05/2024 09:33

PosyPrettyToes · 15/05/2024 02:59

It seems like everything is linen or linen mix this season. No thank you. I. DO. NOT. IRON.

I only wear linen or linen mix or cotton year round. I can't wear synthetics. They make me itch. I'd like more natural fibres. I guess there is no pleasing us all.

I like Poetry but it's just way too expensive.

BabyPigeon · 15/05/2024 09:37

@Lentilweaver Do you have any recommendations for good quality linen brands? It seems that everything I find it's sold out in my size (Marks and Spencer is the worst). I'm short but size 16 which doesn't help. I also hate polyester clothes.

Lentilweaver · 15/05/2024 10:02

@BabyPigeon My budget is high street, so I usually buy M and S, Uniqlo, Muji and Gap. I am tallish and small busted though. I also buy in India because I visit often, or sometimes in other Asian countries on travels.

I sometimes wear tencel from Thought or elsewhere. Some viscose can be ok, but it's very hit and miss.

Lovemusic82 · 15/05/2024 10:05

Itsneverme · 15/05/2024 08:28

I recently got a load from ASDA couldn't believe how well they fit a couple had no shape but I put a thin belt around and they look amazing!

I think the belt is the answer. I have bought some basic dresses from Next and will add a belt to create some shape. I find it hard as I’m short so most knee length dresses sit way below by knee and maxi dresses drag along the ground.

BabyPigeon · 15/05/2024 11:52

@Lentilweaver Thank you. 😊

CactusMactus · 15/05/2024 12:42

mateysmum · 14/05/2024 11:08

Yep. Also 5'1" and most of the styles in store reach past my ankles. I complained in M&S the other day. They actually had some nice styles but many were longer than I am tall. No short/petite lengths available. I did find a Seasalt dress in M&S which is the right length.
M& S also currently think we all have arms like a gorilla. Even on an XS the sleeves on their jumpers extend way beyond my finger tips.

Also 5.1" and I find I can buy Zara, & other stories, Arket mid length dresses and they are full length on me.
Should have bought shares in 'wonder web' years ago... magic stuff.

Kiitos · 15/05/2024 12:58

pastabest · 14/05/2024 17:39

I gave up years ago and started making my own.

I've a wardrobe full of me-made of clothes made to fit me exactly in mostly natural fabrics. Bust darts and pockets galore!

I can't remember the last time I went clothes shopping or bought something from a shop but every now and then I pick something up that's caught my eye and become horrified about how cheap and nasty it feels and how badly put together it is and put it back again.

Yes I agree. The main motivation for me to teach myself to make clothes was for summer dresses. Now I have plenty of dresses in cotton or linen, which are age and city appropriate (I visit a city with a very hot climate and most hot weather clothing in the shops here is more like beachwear!)

I appreciate not everyone has the time or finances to learn to sew. But it’s also a real eye opener about how cheaply made a lot of high street clothes are. And also how worryingly cheap a lot of clothes are given how much work goes into making even a relatively simple garment.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 15/05/2024 13:01

Lentilweaver · 14/05/2024 13:41

I can't wear those colours but yes, that's a nice dress .

Swipe left for the next trending thread