Is it too early to talk about summer dresses?

[BlackEyedFrozenPeas]

Over the past couple of years I’ve bought a couple of gorgeous summer dresses that were shared on here.

I thought I’d start a thread to see what everyone is buying this year? I’ve looked around and not seen anything I really like yet. Maybe it’s too early. I’ve lost weight so I might go for shorter, fitted dresses rather than floaty ones to cover up my weight.

I was always a separates woman but I've become much more comfortable with dresses in recent years - I'm blaming peri as I don't like anything that feels tight around my middle these days. I far prefer dresses which, even if they're a bit gathered, feel much more free and forgiving.

I had a phase of pure white dresses last year and the year before. I bought this one from & Other Stories:

www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/product.pleated-midi-dress-white.1162601001.html

...and loved it so much in white I also bought it in black when that was available. I'd always maintained that black wasn't a colour for summer but that dress converted me, and now I'm on the hunt for plain black dresses!

I bought this recently: https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-tiered-midi-relaxed-dress/p/clp60734756#intid=pid_pg1pip24g4r6c3

The photos don't do it justice (as others have suggested, M&S seem to have lost the plot when it comes to model poses) but it's very much a flapper dress. I adore this style but it doesn't adore me, I tend to suit empire line much more, but for some reason this really works and I'm thrilled with it.

I never liked the floral maxi dress/trainers combo, but then I am very much of my own style from which I rarely digress, I have no interest in what's 'on trend' and don't do pattern. I wear plain ballet flats the same colour as the dress - simple and (I hope) chic.

@GalaxyWasOnOffer

Are you Gerri Halluwell?

‘a phase of white dresses’

In answer to op’s question, yes, it’s too early. It’s going to get cold again this week. (Grr)

I almost put on my post "making myself sound like Geri Halliwell now" 😀

But in my case it's very much an Autistic phase, hence now onto exclusively black dresses. She seems to have got stuck permanently in white all year round with an occasional segue into cream or ivory 😀

love these

My nomads' dresses arrived today, really lovely, perfect for Sunday afternoon in a beer garden or a holiday evening, somewhere smart casual. Just what I was after

Yrs I know it’s too early to wear them. It’s more thinking of buying them now because come summer all the nice ones will be gone.

Come the height of summer it’ll be winter boots and coats in the shops 😆

Yes get them now before they sell out. Lipsy and Next are my faves

It's not too early at all. I worked in fashion buying. The deliveries of winter stock start in May, so summer sales to clear space (when all decent sizes are gone) are in early June. Peak summer clothing stock is Easter.

That’s useful to know.

Definitely not too early. I'm itching to get all my spring/summer clothes out atm (I think that is too early though 😂) but once they hit the shops I think it's June!

I've just seen this dress on Sézane and I'm obsessed by it already

www.sezane.com/en/product/valina-dress/spice#size-6

I prefer skirts and love swishy floaty maxi skirts 😊

Well this dress arrived and I'm very happy with it.
www.boden.com/products/anya-sleeveless-linen-dress-chestnut-abstract-dot.

I'm determined it is going to be my only summer dress purchase this year though.

I was looking for something like this in petite in linen last summer and couldn't find anything, so I decided to get this while they have my size in stock.

I got an 8P and 10P and ended up keeping the 10P. The 8 fitted, but it just felt a bit restrictive around the boobs and the 10 looked fine, maybe not quite so fitted at the waist, but I liked it better overall for comfort and everyday wear.

That’s the sort of thing I’ve been looking for to wear to work! Thanks!

I ordered a couple of things from Boden and kept
This

I ordered a 12 petit in black. I know black isn’t very summery but I like a black dress with a tan.

If you look at the black and white striped version you’ll see it is the most beautiful cut. It’s really flattering. I got 15% off. It’s lovely.

I love that - and yes you can see the cut really well on the French navy/ivory stripe colourway. This could be next on my quest for black summer dresses - but does the jersey fabric make it feel warm?

It is definitely OK for the UK summer. It is not as cooling as a linen dress on a Thai night out, but I think it is very wearable in the summer and even with a cardigan over when it gets cooler. It's not thick material.

The cut is absolutely gorgeous. I think I might look some more at Boden dresses. Usually I find dress shopping really hard as I am 5ft 3" and have 32F boobs and a larger than average arse. Boden have petit and so it is all proportioned for short arses. I think I can wear it casually and dress it up for a night out. If I was going on a hot holiday abroad I would probably also buy it in the crazy carnival colours but I am going somewhere freezing cold hiking.

I also bought This but I've sent it back as it was like crepe paper.

I think Boden's sizing has changed. Their clothing used to be big for the size, but now they seem true to size.

I've found Boden good for petite dresses.

I know lots of people here don't rate Boden and lots of their stuff I wouldn't wear, but they do have a good petite range, some good natural fabrics and some interesting colours.

I now have 3 their summer dresses in linen or cotton, a merino skirt, a few nice silk shirts and a couple of cashmere cardigans.

Like you at 5'3 I find most shorter dresses fall below my knees, midis are like maxis and maxis are not wearable.

Thanks for this, really helpful. I might have to order just so I can get a feel of the fabric. I've never owned anything from Boden before so I have no idea of their sizing - I'm just under 5' 6", size 10, 34DD but I'm very self-conscious about my tummy after having two huge children and suffering from peri bloating. I think it makes me appear to be out of proportion, so I'm always on the lookout for dresses that fall away from that area - this seems like it could fit that brief.

I agree. Some of it is like a psychedelic yodel but I think I’m going to search on petit and go through the site.

I’ve lost weight and I want clothes that fit. I’m no longer hiding under baggy things.

It falls away just under the bust but gradually. I’ve lost a lot of my mum tum, but it’s still there. If I was wearing a clingy dress I’d wear some shape wear, but I don’t need it with that dress as it falls away from the tummy.

Some gorgeous dresses on this thread. I have a few in my M&S basket including this one: https://www.marksandspencer.com/linen-rich-v-neck-mini-shift-dress/p/clp60732943?color=TOMATO#intid=carousel_FUNH_AT_PHOENIX-FREQUENTLY-BOUGHT-TOGETHER_ATB-ACK_PDP_9_4:2eee458a-5ce2-4903-986a-b017bc0eac65

I can't quite tell if it would make me look pregnant though depending on where the waist sits (I don't suit empire line at all!).

@RaspberryBeretxx I've got this in red I love it cant wait to wear it

Oh that's good to know <adds to basket> 😁. It's the red I was thinking of getting too.