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!

Don't forget your anti-chafing gel or anti-chafing pants. Flesh expands in the heat & chafing can be a major issue especially in dresses. One reason why shorts or loose pants are often worn.

I’ve done the same as well 😆 such a helpful thread!!

This from H&M fits your brief and is still in stock in an XS: it may be the one you already bought.

My best hot summer dress is lightweight loose black viscose with shirring at the waist. The advantage of black is that you can wear a much looser lighter weave without your underwear being visible. It's also more chic IMO and doesn't show the grime from city sightseeing.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B2K2PY3Q?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

At £30 these are fantastic. I have half a dozen in different prints. They are thinly lined so not see-through. Casual enough for day and also smart enough for evening. They hang dry with no ironing needed.
😉Another tip for you: wear thin bicycle shorts underneath. You will be much cooler in the hot climate if your thighs do not touch.

Unfolded has some nice dresses which could be suitable.
https://thisisunfolded.com/collections/sustainable-dresses

The sort of linen you can buy in the U.K. will be too hot for Asian heat and humidity. You want the lightest, thinnest cotton.

I wouldn’t buy anything here - head to the local shops and markets, they will have tons of beautiful dresses!

I find viscose the coolest fabric, more than cotton or linen.

This might tick the boxes and it's very pretty which is always a bonus in my books https://www.monsoon.co.uk/sisi-floral-print-dress-1000264224.html

The problem with Asia is that they are not really into air con 😂 so you need to wear unfitted clothing. No belts, no tight sleeves, no fitted waistlines etc.

I agree you will get good buys there but if you're like me you need to have some to take with you eg . If you do want some loose trousers.

https://m-uk.cupshe.com/products/paisley-smocked-waist-tapered-leg-pants-CAA02D4B005RR?gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAABWndwZ6dhZMfLW4mq3GuZw9bSqEU&gclid=CjwKCAjwnK60BhA9EiwAmpHZwwTZk45ZkzbELcVfX7Z0ufPLIx4RdfhARp9z9xcSCM2QtDatn-ORoCd7YQAvDDBwE&skucode=CAA02D4B005RRXL&themetype=vacation&utmmcampaign=UK-PLA-Shopping-MCG-Pants-20240402&utmmedium=cpc&utmmsource=google&utmterm=%7B21143391267%7DD%7B160648848939%7D_%7B695351258319%7D

My airism dress has arrived! It's fab. You could dress it up for somewhere posh. Flows so well. Dh is very impressed.

@alrightluv

What's the sizing like? I see they come in S,M,L etc

Lilac Floral Print Angel Sleeve Maxi Dress | Roman UK

any good?

Mine arrived too and I completely agree with you!!

I ordered XS and I’m usually a size 6-8 and I think it fits nicely! Not too tight but still looks quite fitted!

Also I’m 5 foot 3 and it still looks midi length on me!

I would only buy for 1-2 days to use for shopping locally though. Indian dresses can be absolutely gorgeous too and much cheaper and more practical than anything you'll get here.

When I went backpacking around Asia I ended wearing clothes I bought there because the cotton is thinner and softer it's just really lovely to wear

I wore vest tops, cotton skirts, sarongs and flip flops

The only item of clothing I kept from the UK was a long sleeved thin white cotton shirt, perfect as an anti mozzie thing in the evenings

I actually just dumped loads of my clothes in the room of the first hostel we stayed in because they were completely unsuitable as it turned out

My vest tops were from home though

I've recently become a covert to wearing light merino wool dresses in the heat. I know, sounds mad - really works. I've got one of these and a Sierra and hoping to get more. The greatest thing about them from a travel POV is that they pack down very tiny, hang them up by the shower to get creases out, and the merino actively repels sweaty smell and food odours, as well as a certain amount of dirt (most Wool& wearers do spot cleans when needed and the dresses don't get washed that often. Mine doesn't and it is fresh as a daisy).

The Camellia one is incredibly light and wafty, and feels almost silky. I appreciate you said you'd prefer sleeves but have a look on the website and see if they have anything sleeved (Maggie?) you like. Be aware that some dresses are in thicker fabric, like the Sierra.

https://eu.wooland.com/products/camellia-tank-dress-olive-tree

I should add that I'm in a FB group for these dresses, and loads of women travel to Asia in them and find it works well. I just came back from somewhere hot in the Med and wore mostly this dress all week, in mid-high 30's. (admittedly drier heat)

Nobody's child are super on a hot day. The cotton is lovely and they are waisted so v flattering https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/cream-ditsy-floral-button-down-flossie-midi-dress?queryID=66d4d30517036c29c37cc527fc01d252

Jumpsuits not a good idea if you're going anywhere where there might be squat toilets/ unpredictably dry/humid toilet floors.
Agree with PP that a lot of linen which might seem cool in the UK would be too thick for humid parts of Asia
I think just go with 100% fine cotton.

Strange I'm 5 ft 8 and it looks long? Fits great.

I found linen cooler than cotton and had no issue with UK linen in Borneo. A lot of places to stay do now have air conditioning or at least fans and all toilets we came across were western. Most people were in t shirt or linen tops and shorts, looser fitting. Shorts were more practical if sitting on boats etc. Didn't come across places to buy clothes but probably depends where you are going and how much time have. We were told air con is becoming much more common in houses now. I am also in unmedicated menopause so someone who feels the heat but no issues over there. It probably varies locally what advice is and weather during visit. The people who lived there advised t shirt and shorts to us. It was low to mid 30s and 80 to 99% humidity.

I would make sure your outfit is natural fibres. Cotton or preferably linen. Loose layers