Impossible dress?

[HighFiveMummy]

I am very short (5.1"), fairly petite (size 8 top, size 10 bottoms), with a short torso. I am 53 years old. I probably look younger.

I find that most dresses drown me and I am struggling to find a suitable dress for the summer. I am looking for something that's fitted but not figure hugging, definitely not floaty though, and that it has sleeves (short sleeves okay, but not cap) that are not wide, floaty, or puffy.

The material should be cotton or a linen blend, might consider good quality viscose.

I have really unbelievably white legs so lenghtwise I am thinking probably midi?

It should not be patterned, definitely not flowers, and the colour should be black, navy or a dark green. Budget £100 or less.

I feel I am looking for an impossible but perhaps someone out there has some suggestions I haven't considered. Thanks!

https://www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Three_Quarter_Sleeve_Jersey_Dress_/pp/P_43058.html?dwvar_P__43058_sizeVariation=48&dwvar_P__43058_color=BLA&cgid=11329

Might work?

https://www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Pleated_Linen_Midi_Dress/pp/P_43487.html?dwvar_P__43487_sizeVariation=48&dwvar_P__43487_color=GB7&cgid=11329

This as well.

I do love their stuff - it's great quality in the main and really comfortable too!

https://www.pixiegirl.com/pixiegirl-black-button-front-smock-dress-p

Something like this?

The Finery. No petite but some tailored dresses that aren't tiered and gathered.

Too floaty?
https://www.crewclothing.co.uk/womens/clothing-and-accessories/womens-dresses-and-skirts/samantha-jersey-dress-blue-wsj136/#fo_c=2679&fo_k=a1f1d3984a630d6bcf8475856792103a&fo_s=gplauk

https://www.whitestuff.com/p/3826/Marianne-Linen-Blend-Dress/PURE_BLK

I'm the same height, similar shape to you albeit a decade older... first rule is don't even bother with anything except petite fit.

I've had some dresses from lands end in the past, next and Wallis petites occasionally - though it's not guaranteed they'll have anything that suits.

I lived in the US for a couple of years, found a much better selection of petite fit dresses - so it may be worth looking for American brands.

Thanks everyone.
Sorry I feel awful but I don't like any of the dresses suggested.
The White Stuff one is okay, but the top is shaped much too wide, and as I have a short torso, I feel it would just make it look too squarish.
I really don't like any of the others, sorry. I guess I just don't want jersey. I guess I want something smarter looking.

www.dorothyperkins.com/product/principles-petite-belted-cotton-midi-dress_pdd10743?colour=navy

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/petite-khaki-cotton-midi-smock-dress/p/898896534

this kind of thing?

I know it’s jersey but it’s definitely on the more tailored side. I’m like you - very petite in the torso - and this works for me

Thank you for the last 3 dresses suggested. The sleeves are all wrong in the 1st Dorothy Perkins and the Boden ones. The second Dorothy Perkins is much too voluminous all over.

I know you said no pattern, but maybe stripes would be ok?

https://patra.com/product/sdp/womens-bamboo-cotton-stripe-dress

This is plain, but is sold out in your size

https://patra.com/product/fdc/womens-bamboo-cotton-dress

Also maybe too much like jersey in terms of fabric

What about something like this? https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/strappy-linen-midi-dress-black/sty-d0655-blk

Ah yes sorry just saw no cap sleeves

this?

Or this

Something like this?

Short-Sleeve Midi Dress www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1218240001.html

one more

one more

I am also fairly short but I avoid midi or long dresses. Short dresses look far better, especially as you are slim if only a size 8 or 10. I would opt for lashings of fake tan on the legs rather than a longer dress. Sleeveless dresses also look better on petite frames, if bingo wings are an issue, again I’d opt for a good fake tan which covers a multitude of sins.

Absolutely not! It’s so lovely, you will look beautiful .

The Boden dress above is nice but it's strappy and I want sleeves.
Not keen on the others.
Fake tan is so much hassle though...
This dress I love. 50% above budget though, and the sleeves are not perfect, so it's a no. Shame it's not on sale because then I'd compromise.
https://www.reiss.com/style/SU219329/N74372#N74372

https://www.mandco.com/mco-black-linen-short-sleeve-shirt-dress-p?currency=GBP&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAp1VPSQTxKiJ4ZxWziuKZ8Cw6wvsz&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9cjbhur-hgMVqY5QBh3syQ5hEAQYAyABEgJwnvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.roman.co.uk/cotton-belted-midi-shirt-dress-14227208?istCompanyId=2c7d42bf-c86e-4126-852a-34976c2accf2&istFeedId=2671bd7b-958a-4180-b178-22e89d93d179&istItemId=pqwqrwrar&istBid=t&awc=7800_1719595937_f5037f28c1c2441b9a45fb04f457269b&utm_source=uk.redbrain.shop-176013&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Comparison+Shopping+Service+%28CSS%29&utm_content=uk.redbrain.shop&sv_campaign_id=176013&sv_tax1=affiliate&sv_tax3=Redbrain+Ltd&sv_tax4=0&sv_affiliate_id=176013

https://www.wallis.co.uk/product/roman-petite-button-front-pocket-dress_p-e14a28be-5dcc-4ecd-8a0c-f078a05c5cf1?colour=Black

https://www.wallis.co.uk/product/dorothy-perkins-petite-black-frill-neck-midi-dress_bqq06104?colour=black

not sure of any of these would be suitable? Having taken a quick look I can see it’s hard as most summer dresses are patterned.

If you like that what about this one?

https://www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Cheesecloth_Tiered_Dress/pp/P_43547.html?dwvar_P__43547_sizeVariation=59&dwvar_P__43547_color=HME&cgid=11304

I really like this OP. Not sure if it works for you. Comes in green and in navy and reduced at the mo. https://www.marksandspencer.com/v-neck-midi-waisted-dress/p/clp22581493?color=GREEN&extid=af_Sub+Networks_Skimlinks_----AWIN-ms--_-78888&sv_campaign_id=78888&sv_tax1=affiliate&sv_tax2=793456%7C793458&sv_tax3=Skimlinks&sv_tax4=mumsnet.com&sv_affiliate_id=78888&awc=1402_1716839880_ff139e01552a75f2fbdb6c2657f09da7