Dress suggestions for 30C humid heat

[pastypotatoes]

Going on holiday to Asia in a couple weeks. The weather will be a consistent 30C with high humidity. I'll be travelling and walking around a lot, so not looking for a 'showy resort hotel' type dress.

I'm in search of some suitable dresses, but not sure what would be best in the heat?

I'm a 5'4 hourglass. Size 8, but with very flabby arms and legs due to significant weight loss. Tie waist / or something that highlights the waist is preferable

No spaghetti straps or cap sleeves. But I do prefer a short or 3/4 length sleeve, although not sure if I'll end up suffering in the heat with that. Something light and airy.

I'd prefer a dress that falls just below the knee of longer. Lighter pastel colours work best on me (no bright bold colours like red, oranges, green, etc).

No shorts.

Budget up to £150

Suggestions please!

A hopeful evening bump for suggestions 🤞🏻

In Asia you won’t look out of place in a cotton maxi dress. I love Cotton Traders’ long sleeved button down maxi / midi dresses. They’re long enough and loose enough for everyday in Asia but can be worn with a pair of leggings if you want more coverage in the evening due to mosquitos.

Over the last few months I've been to India and to Malaysia (the latter was hotter and extremely humid) and been very glad to have been wearing just the sort of dress you describe.

I can't do a link as mine were cheap - around £30 each - from a small independent shop local to me. Market stalls sell similar. Both were "one size fits all"; that may not suit you as you're smaller than me (I'm a size 12) and one of mine felt a little big on me.

Key points were NO belt (sorry!) - both of mine had ruched bodices and it allowed the air to circulate under the dress around my tummy, which kept me much cooler. Short loose sleeves but widely cut so that they weren't tight around the armpits. Mine were long, but I could have got knee-length versions of the same. NB if you're going somewhere where you will be using squat toilets, a shorter cut dress might be easier, and don't rule out the possibility of getting loose trousers with elasticated ankles which stay well clear of the floor when you're squatting (I know, I know, but believe me that has been an issue on some of my travels).

Your choice of style will be excellent in most of Asia if you're doing any cultural sight-seeing. I felt sorry for those in my group who were wearing chinos and blouses to visit temples - they must have got very much hotter than me!

Bear in mind though that provided you have time, you will almost certainly be able to buy suitable clothes once you're there, and they will be very much cheaper than they are over here.

There are some nice cotton and linen Boden dresses on Next.com that look quite nice. Maxi or midi length with sleeves

This one is quite nice but not sure if the sleeves are what you're looking for

www.next.co.uk/style/SU276736/B44243#B44243

Have you tried a Google search for 'cotton midi dress angel sleeves' that may fit your brief.

This one too

www.peacocks.co.uk/4704799-GREEN_ABSTRACT.html?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjws560BhCuARIsAHMqE0HRjXpc7eyQP6eg-zqJb9dRD06v0GbVgFQVN2VL4Q2p0z0V1PHzJb8aApMuEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Not all pastel, but most are cotton, loose and look cool (in temperature):
https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/black-ric-rac-woven-tiered-boho-midi-dress/GEM1129613,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C1

https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/studio-edit-white-poplin-tiered-midi-dress/GEM1119709,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C1

https://www.marksandspencer.com/floral-tie-neck-midi-waisted-dress/p/clp22589041#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r5c2|prodflag_Online%20Only

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-square-neck-midaxi-tiered-dress/p/clp22587041#intid=pid_pg2pip48g4r2c4|prodflag_Online%20Only

www.marksandspencer.com/linen-rich-striped-v-neck-smock-dress/p/clp22590497#intid=pid_pg3pip48g4r8c3|prodflag_Online%20Only

This is the best summer dress ever. Can be dressed up or down, flatters any figure, doesn't crease, dries quickly and feels really light weight. https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/ultra-stretch-airism-sleeveless-dress-464785.html?dwvar4647855color=COL09&dwvar4647855size=SMA006

H&M have great cheap dresses like that

Seasalt have some lovely cotton jumpsuits. Very light and comfortable to wear and flattering.

Muslin dresses would fit the bill or lightweight cotton lawn. Quite a few on the H&M website. Zara or M&S might be worth a try.

Have a look at uk.white-ginger.com. Started in Singapore where there are also stores. Perfect fabrics for your requirements.

You need Uniqlo Airism dresses and I also suggest the Airism tops with built in bras. I wore them in November and April in Vietnam and Thailand.

I'd really recommend dressing like the locals! They know better than anyone how to dress for their climate so have a look at what is common for the region. Dsis went to Thailand recently and ended up buying some very inexpensive but pretty loose style trousers with elasticated waist and ankles which were cool and kept the mozzies out.

Slightly random but mountain warehouse. A lot are technical type fabric and UV protection too

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/como-printed-womens-tea-dress-p55571.aspx/#tabArea

https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350292007.aspx#shoppingtool=externalcampaign

https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350299984.aspx#shoppingtool=externalcampaign

Can you get some dresses there? Likely to be good quality and suitable for the weather...and a great souvenir

Would it be better to buy local in India? The will have lighter fabrics and more coverage due to the heat and I should imagine a better price tag.

Linen is on another level, even compared to cotton. Brora have a sale at the moment if there's anything that suits, but any 100% linen dress will be good.

I would second Mountain Warehouse. Brilliant dresses for travelling in hot countries. And reasonably priced to.

Best shop ever!! Can't believe I don't have to fly over to Tanglin Mall to get new things to replace my worn out WG clothes 💕💕 Thanks for this!

I think that I wore different versions of this

https://www.joules.com/style/su162649/n48813?gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAADwbMgOZ1gs0hHd2zzReu5PDdHJUt&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1qO0BhDwARIsANfnkvuQNwUyhLNoCptm5qd2YXaxnQuJGR5u2ZaopyYRg447lifMv7yXJQaAp-AEALwwwcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#n48813&mch=ppc&mcpt=&mcpn=&mct=&mkw=&tid=pla-2309872164906&$ja=tsid:%7Cacid:%7Ccid:20611157249%7Cagid:156685404600%7Ctid:pla-2309872164906%7Ccrid:675804255993%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:12125349174228545301%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:1006803&ss_kwcid=AL!5941!3!675804255993!!!g!!

And this

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/amelie-jersey-dress-meadow-green-daisy-bud/sty-j0326-lgr?code=D8C7&tcch=ps&tccve=goog&tcso=pmax&tccme=cr&tcca=drop-offer&tccau=&tccr=na&tcccampid=UK+-+Performance+Max+-+WW+-+New+-+0-90&tcadgroupid=&tcckwid=&tcmatchid=&gaddsource=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1qO0BhDwARIsANfnkvI8QObuOPkGObGmbdpYSL0dFLBBL5m49DjIedhj9bPd6n1NmDeTO4aAndJEALww_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

every day for my 15 years in Singapore.

Absolutely do not go for 'technical fabrics' unless you want a little slick of sweat trapped on you all day 😂

Light, cotton, only a little man-made fabric if you want stretch. Space for air flow.

Have an amazing time! Wish I was there on this rainy Saturday 😎

Congratulations on your weight loss, by the way.

@itwontletmechoose me too, although I wouldn't mind a little jaunt to Tanglin Mall right now