Cool, lightweight, sleeveless cotton dress for holiday to Crete

[Arrivederla]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I've just booked a holiday in Crete (going in 2 weeks!) and I'm frantically looking for a really lightweight sleeveless summer dress. I've checked the temperatures and it looks like it's going to be about 30°... Most of the dresses I've got are going to be a bit hot, I think 🤔

I'm a size 12/14, 5'7" early 50s. I don't want anything too short (prefer midi/maxi).

I've got this vision of wafting around in a cool floaty 100% cotton dress, but everything I've seen seems to be polyester, too heavy/lined, or massively puffy/ballooning sleeves etc. (I'd like sleeveless but maybe not spaghetti straps).

Any thoughts? Budget around £50, could go higher. Colours - blue, pink, white, aqua, sage green... possibly black or red. Would consider a pattern but generally prefer plain.

Any help greatly appreciated!

Oh that's very pretty, thank you! I need to get into New Look - I bought some sandals from there recently which will be perfect for the holiday, and I was surprised by the quality of their stuff (better than I'd thought!) I'll definitely have a look for this dress.

Thank you!! I really do appreciate people taking the trouble to help 😊

Understand MN is not a fan of Shein but I have this dress in multiple colours and it’s stunning, true to size and super comfortable. SHEIN Clasi Women's Solid Color Round Neck Sleeveless Pocket Simple Casual Overlap Dress
I discovered amazing products on SHEIN.com, come check them out!
http://api-shein.shein.com/h5/sharejump/appjump?link=l1GGEbBhYCN_8&localcountry=GB&url_from=GM737676820

Thank you for taking the trouble to help - I do appreciate it, but I won't buy from Shein.

There are many issues around their environmental impact (hugely polluting) and the fact they plagiarise the designs of small businesses/entrepreneurs, but for me the worst are the concerns around their use of forced labour and even child labour. There is a reason why they are so cheap!!

Again, thanks for your reply and sorry for the lecture!

I've a wardrobe-full of loose dresses from Asda in cotton and viscose (a natural fabric and cool) - dirt cheap and they've worn well. Here are some of this year's
https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/navy-broderie-strappy-maxi-dress/GEM1291655,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C1

https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/bright-abstract-print-strappy-midi-sundress/GEM1279397,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C1

https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/black-leaf-print-womens-matching-family-midi-dress/GEM1287413,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C1

https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/white-halter-neck-trapeze-midi-dress-with-linen/GEM1283737,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C1

I went to Asda the other day but didn't see all of these... I particularly like the second one so will order and report back! Thank you

You can get a lot of the Roman range via Next, so free next-day delivery and returns

This is lovely and 100% cotton https://www.roman.co.uk/contrast-ric-rac-midi-dress-14698572?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22273400122&gclid=CjwKCAjwr5_CBhBlEiwAzfwYuMdJzJrRLW8CFz5gTFmFgQhZF-HnsEwHOoa5TjS3HFbt3ShmfeLvlxoCJjcQAvD_BwE

I’ve just bought this, planning to take it on holiday in august when it’s going to be mid 30s

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su359865/e35982?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=9256171658&gbraid=0AAAAADm_5UXWCgGy8ZMlNwMK5rSN8qmd7&gclid=CjwKCAjw9anCBhAWEiwAqBJ-czHAXtZKgUUm8aEhTB3zNc-NuzwSh6PU7q182cNqCag31EY51ru34xoCPa8QAvD_BwE#E35982

If this is for ‘out and about’ during the day, my only advice is to get a dress with shoulders, at least, and preferably a sleeve of some sort; also at over the knee length.

it is so much easier while you are out in the sun. The hottest holiday I ever went on was July in the Med. Trotting around Pompeii, Herculaneum, etc was brutal, I had taken two shirt dresses from Uniqlo in a light cotton. I turned up the collar and was good to go. Didn’t burn, didn’t have to think about suncream for neck, shoulders, arms, knees.

I’ve got this, 95% cotton, thick straps to cover bra straps, £25, I bought two different colours and they were brilliant on holiday, I’ve also worn them here….

https://manamou.co.uk/collections/dresses/products/frill-edge-tiered-dress-white

I've bought this in yellow. Light crisp cotton with a very thin cotton lining.

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/alba-above-ankle-tiered-dress?color=43276

It's low calf on me, I'm 5'8"

TU (Sainsbury's) had a reasonable selection in store the other day, quite a few nice ones to throw on at the beach but could be dressed up.

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/browse/women/dresses/c:841889/size:12/style:linen,midaxi/

This one I thought particularly nice.

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc146019610

Glad to see more manufacturers are doing dresses in viscose, definitely the coolest fabric to wear in the heat. Some great options on @spoonbillstretford‘s link!

Uniqlo often do some good summer dresses, so might be worth a look too.

That looks very nice and a good price, but I've found from bitter experience that having a seam and gathers round the stomach really doesn't look great on me! Tends to make me look fatter, which is not the look I'm aiming for 😬

Thanks anyway for taking the trouble to post, and I hope you have a great holiday.

Yes, good point about covering your shoulders; I've got a couple of light linen shirts which I plan to throw on top of dresses when it gets too hot.

Thank you - this looks very interesting. I've never heard of them but having a good look their dresses now.

I love the Tu dresses, good choice of ones with sleeves! Have ordered some!

I've got a big Sainsbury's near me, so planning to pop up there tomorrow to have a look. Thank you! 😊