I have a very important question to ask about UK style....

[EconomyClassRockstar]

What is with all the dresses?!! Especially the flowery ones. I've just got home from 6 weeks back in the UK and I've never seen so many women in ugly dresses in my life! Is it just because they're cooler in the heat or has Me+Em just brainwashed the entire country?

This is meant pretty tongue in cheek before everyone starts coming at me with their pitchforks...which they're entirely dressed appropriately for! 😂

I do wear dresses but get them off eBay because I can’t stand the current horrific large-panel-of-shirring-over-the-belly look, and omg the puffed sleeves. Like we all think we’re Anne of Green Gables. Also the number of times I see anyone in something that really looks as if it’s the right size on them is minimal. But I do live in the most notoriously dowdy city in the uk.

The flowery long dresses look probably is dated. Reality is though as much as the fashion industry would like us to buy a full new wardrobe for every season, every year most people don’t do that, especially in summer which some years can amount to nothing more than a few days. Clothes get used for a few years. That’s not a bad thing.

Ive got some dresses, I’ve also got some shorts/vest top combos. I can make both look either good or bland.

I would say a midi dress, denim jacket and white trainers is quite a look where I am. Basically everywhere on a Saturday afternoon in Edinburgh. Usually accompanied by a cross body camera bag style. Not my kind of look at all. To be fair to the OP, short and a tank or vest top is a thing in other countries. Very popular where I used to live in Australia which was extreme heat and yes, smarter stuff worn to the office. That said, it would depend on how fierce the air con was.

I don't own a dress, floral or otherwise. When it's warm I tend to wear lightweight wide legged trousers, sometimes cropped, with a linen shirt or cotton top. Not many floral dresses where I live, but that's just what happens. Wear what you want.
However, shorts and a vest top, particularly with "smart" shoes doesn't sound very stylish to me.
Although, as we say in the UK; "each to their own".
Or as folks say on MN "you do you".

Me+Em is what the women in our Government wear, haven't really seen much floral from them but what I have seen is probably worse and a floral frock would probably look better than a lot of the outfits they wear.

I love my dresses, l tend to live in dresses. They are cooler than shorts in the summer and for me give a better line. They are also stylish.

No ugly dresses in my wardrobe. And on a recent visit there were lots of dresses in Paris too. UK bon but l used to live there.

"long bloody dresses" (sic) are actually quite cool because they're loose.
It's just a personal choice for many women.

I’m just back from west Europe where I saw lots of chic cream and beige…dull. So nice to come home and see pretty floral dresses and skirts again!

I hate jeans and tight things around my waist, especially when it is warm. I love to throw on a loose dress and I feel more smart as I’m usually in trainers and have short hair that I just ruffle quickly

viva la flowery dress!

Sounds like your daughter needs to learn some manners

Surely a cotton dress can’t be dated as it’s a classic? I’ve got some really old lovely vintage ones.
Can’t see how sweaty shorts crotch is cooler and more comfortable than a long floaty dress. Dresses keep you much cooler than having skin out and protect you from the sun without having to smother your skin in chemicals. Also feel much more comfortable having my legs covered.
I was in Norway recently and the friend I was with kept saying how much she loved the scandi style and how it’s so chic. But I just think it’s really boring and everyone looks the same and there’s zero colour which is depressing to me. Not fun at all.
I love seeing the pretty colourful summer dresses in the UK.

I know. Imagine having a daughter who would say such sexist, ageist offensive things.

Good points. I like the colour and variety in the UK. I have a colleague who is into 50s style and she wears some fabulous full skirted dresses with great patterns.
I also have a friend from Ghana and she wears trousers and dresses made in those fabulous bright prints they have in West Africa.
How dull just to wear shorts and a vest all summer, imo.

I love a flowery maxi, and to be honest my aged menopausal body loves it too! Tried yesterday to go into something less billowy, more stylish and nearly melted almost immediately. So yeah… you hate them I’ll add it to the list of things I don’t care about! 😀

I get it. Mostly about the floral print. It just screams New Look polyester. But I think there are some lovely linen or cotton dresses around without the dreaded ditsy print.

I agree this was a big trend but haven't seen it really this year. Lots of women in shorts and loose trousers.

Sounds ugly

they’re wearing those hiking sandals which I just can’t deal with.

hiking sandals have been fashionable for some time now....

in the UK as opposed to Germany! 😆

In the heat my Doen cotton voile floral dresses have kept me cool and I think are very pretty and a lot more comfortable than shorts to be honest.

But I do also like fake tan.

I also like Me and Em.

Completely agree with the OP and had a similar thought. I’ve just come back from a European city break. No ditsy floral prints to be seen anywhere! A few dresses but solid colour linen etc. Lots of loose trousers and jeans. I keep being served up Aspiga & Me & Em on instagram but while I was tempted before I’ve also had a mental re-set.

l’ve already responded up thread.

Now the candid version: Shorts = sweaty fanny! 🤭

Sorry, there is nothing smart about a denim jacket and trainers with a dress.

Tank top and shorts sounds scruffy as anything. I’d wear such a combo in the garden or summer dog walking but that’s it.

It depends where you go you will see Doen style dresses in places like Ibiza, South of France etc but the denim jacket and white trainers is a very British look. But I also personally don't love the beige boring sophis Euro looks that influencers try and push.

Tank top and shorts sounds scruffy as anything. I’d wear such a combo in the garden or summer dog walking but that’s it.

Why would they have to be scruffy?