maxi-dresses - without scary prints?

[time4tea]

for my sins I was out yesterday in Oxford St getting some summer gear in a flap for DSs. noticed that women looking the most relaxed, comfortable and good were wearing maxi-dresses. I really think the style is good, particularly for the large of bottom/leg (like me). I've bought a plain black one from Kew which is great, but wondered if anyone had seen any good patterned ones..? but so many of the prints are horrible, clashy loud colours and messy print styles

print is hard because there ends up being so much of it
I'd stick to plain colours - purple or blue are good

no idea, i am at a loss fashion wise.
no money and also large of bottom.
this is the first summer for 4 years i've not been pregnant, breastfeeding or unable to wear straps for fear of strap marks on my wedding day.
so i have NO nice summer clothes.

can you link me to the Kew dress?

monsoon have loads

its called a maxi tie dress, on the Kew website @ £65. black cotton t-shirt material...

www.kew-online.com/kewwebshop/shopdetail.aspx?season=0801&sty_num=6019&sty_qua l=203

sorry, hopeless with hotlinks..

Kew dress

oh that kew one is nice.

Bargain if you're a 14 - £4.
This is pretty, but muted, also in orange colourway.

Other end of the spectrum - lovely, but ££.
So classic Laura Ashley it's almost a cliche

I rather like the colours/prints on this one, but it might be too much?

There is a nice one in the new M&S magazine but can't find it online - black and white print - maybe it's not in the shops yet...

Principles have a few nice ones - Khaki print
Red but not too much, I don't think.
Maybe?

I tried on that red principles one today. There was too much material around the waistline for me. I already have a big belly and all that dress made me look bigger. The best fitting one i found was the navy/white one on the monsoon link above. But pattern a bit scary. So back to square one.
They don't have the Kew one in a 14.