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?

Yes I agree , I’m fed up looking like the Amish women in America😂

I can't stand those dresses with a massive flounce at the hem, I really hate them with a passion. I often see a dress either online or in a shop that I quite like the look of only to find that it has a massive frill/flounce on it. Reminds me of 1970's valance sheet!

I have a long body too but stumpy legs, waist lines tend to sit under my ribs and the length does not cover my fat little legs. Sometimes I feel I was made from left over bits!

There is nothing knee length that could be for work and/or at home (work is fairly relaxed)

It's weird isn't it. They said the dress with trainers and a denim/biker jacket look was out and then they made it so by taking away all the good dresses anyway.

There are a lot fewer people on my local streets in dresses this year (even now it's warming up finally) and I seem to have found the reason why.

I know this is polyester, so don't shoot me, but it arrived today and is really lovely on www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/crepe-jersey-sleeveless-dress-465883.html

I've found my people.

5ft 3, size 12 and an hourglass figure. All the current dresses look ridiculous on me. I'm wearing stuff that's several years old as a result.

I want the midi trend to die a death. Or for designers to realize that it looks shit on some of us. I just want a knee length, light cotton dress with short sleeves, no puffs, frills etc that doesn't make me look twice as wide!

I'm wearing an older version of this today except it came with a belt in the same material. It's very useful.

I think that would work for a pear shape. I would have loved that a few years back with a cami underneath - but my body has completely changed shape with menopause.

I quite like tiers...!
[runs away]

It says that model is 5'11"!

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc143952367?istCompanyId=07cf3c1d-7207-477f-aab0-212732e114dd&istFeedId=03391e81-6312-4095-9322-96087f0115ae&istItemId=miltiwtwi&istBid=t&cmpid=cpc&src=Google&med=Shopping&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20331211902&utm_term=tuc143952367&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=825-875-8916&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwupGyBhBBEiwA0UcqaC4tgh5j_wSTTKub4f0qhV1i4b1bKo6NxC5FyzYMAVPsCbX8neJj1RoC_qMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

This has been the only dress I've found this year (apologies for long link)
I know black is not for everyone though. 100% cotton and ankle length on me.
I'm 5ft 5/6 size 18/20 around my middle and very apple shaped, all belly and regularly bloated and puffy.
It's not exactly what I'd like, sleeves are quite short, v neck could be slightly wider but it's the best of a shite bunch TBH.
I don't like to show a lot of skin but need to be cool. I rant constantly about polyester, it makes my skin feel awful, dreadful stuff.
I like viscose but as per PP it's very hit and miss.As another PP I can't wait this daily so am otherwise in mostly M and S basic wide leg trousers with longer length v neck tshirts (both in black) and a kimono over the top

@Swallowdoubleandrunamile I like that dress,if only it came in other colours!

Yes the black isn't great on me

OMD, Preach!!

SO annoying.

Black is my go to so I never look summery, really.
I try emerald green occasionally but the perfect dress eludes me.
Prints make me look matronly and I feel very uncomfortable and 'obvious'. It sounds daft but anything other than very basic shapes in dark colours make me feel like I'm wearing a neon sign as clothing.

Surely a different thread ….🤣🤣

I can't wait for AI to get to the point where you can give it a really specific list of dress colour, length, cut, sleeves, fabric, price etc and it gives you a list of links to everything that fits the bill.

On a similar note—What the hell has got into Sainsbury’s clothes sizing wise? I’ve bought a skirt and jumpsuit from them lately which I love but I’m going to have to have altered by 5-6 inches to fit. I’m average, I would say- 5’5” - and you would need to be over 6ft to fit them.

I know! I tried on a maxi skirt that was 70% off then realised that was because it was beautiful but you needed a 35-inch inside leg.

In my head I've been longing for this dress to suit me for a few weeks now and keep looking at it again and again, but just can't get over the need for a small waist and also it's too low cut. Me+Em have done this to a few dresses recently and because they are so well made, you can't sew the neckline up a bit without spoiling the overall look. There was a lovely white one last summer and like a FOOL I missed my size.

How does the neckline fit differently on different models? The one on the right would be OK for me. Can you yank the two front pieces towards each other so that they overlap more? And do they stay there, if you do? Is it just that the model on the right is more curvaceous up top?

I tried on a black top in Next which had this neckline, i.e. split to the waist. I didn't buy it. Even with average boobs inside, the front of the top looked like the model on the left.

I just think the way that the material is so fine and twisted and how it lies, there's no way you could put even a tiny stitch in without it pulling. So annoying!! I love a bit of cheesecloth too.

I'm tall and they make me look like a Sumo wrestler.

I 💯 agree