Cheaper version of this dress (much cheaper!)

[DailyMaui]

This dress was posted as a response to someone else's style dilemma and it is so up my alley I'd have one in every colour except "sludge."
Loulou de Saison dress

However, I do not have that kind of budget. By a long way. The most I could stretch to is £50 (I've got two at uni and I'm broke. Or rather they are breaking me...).

Anyone come across something similar? It does not have to be silk twill obvs. It will need to have enough fabric to cover bra straps as I am very generous of boob and need the scaffolding.

I once had a dress like that from Sainsbury's of all places - it was a grey silky cupro and I wore it til it disintegrated. I've been on the hunt for something similar ever since.

I had the M&S one that was a bit like that but hung quite badly and just got bigger and bigger and bigger every time I washed it! I also had a Live Unlimited one that was similar in style but the fabric felt too heavy. I need swishy and something that hides my stomach rather than clings - I'm a size 18 apple and cannot do anything nipped in or body hugging or straight column style dresses.

All possibilities gratefully received.

https://www.frenchconnection.com/products/mia-textured-jersey-long-dress-black?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17339367064&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn8XFBhCxARIsAMyH8BtTZJ0yd6K3MlzLN4Th6r7zCt0DLZeoONVmPxFtRS1q55a3OVHhqLkaAiPpEALw_wcB
French Connection sale, size guide says 16 though, but could fit maybe?

Give shein a go they do some great dupes to designer dresses and just a fraction of the price.

Or this one in burgundy £20 in sale....if you do a Google lens search loads of options of this dress style coming up 😁https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350897312.aspx?dim1=3&dim2=4&cod=SHP00204724UK&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22694042567&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn8XFBhCxARIsAMyH8BsGQ5zPSvmhGs5ZnrERQ6lxKZiUW-IFvIyzX6wSwuBWlDlF4wR3ggAaAuxgEALw_wcB

Yes and indulge yourself in a bit of human misery and slavery at the same time! 🙄 Why are people still recommending Shein ffs?

Op - here’s one at Next:
https://www.next.co.uk/laura-ashley/style/su362016/e39133

Cos £55

oops link didn't work

https://www.cos.com/en-gb/women/womenswear/dresses/mididresses/product/sleeveless-knitted-midi-dress-black-1284375002?utm_campaign=cos_gb__conversion___transaction_google_shopping_brand-sale___precis&country=gb&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21768322688&gbraid=0AAAAAC4nStFc31uPtnnz-l8zWmYUBeRWz&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn8XFBhCxARIsAMyH8Bu4YYrEIWiclRp01tPs6kwzQ87URZIMQqIS1O91NKUVW5lih-W5FjEaAruUEALw_wcB

Who made the phone you’re probably typing that on ?

https://www.selected.com/p/cotton-blend-sleeveless-maxi-dress/16097851_Black?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand_Selected_UK_Shopping_PerformanceMax_Women&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22040301298&gbraid=0AAAAACfVC6NTB1Qi7Lwe7rLw_5oXqJEC9&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn8XFBhCxARIsAMyH8Bu7hGHx7rEpMHWd51w4Vtgk0ubbwvGB1A8ZE6Rba_rtLvN8FGSEAJ4aAi5cEALw_wcB

https://www.cos.com/en-gb/women/womenswear/dresses/sleeveless-dresses/product/elasticated-hem-linen-maxi-dress-black-1285765002

The la redoute and French connection ones look like they'd ft too close to my body for my liking. I want to waft about!

Slightly worried about the "knit" description of the Cos one and the neck looks quite high. I'm menopausal, nothing knitted has touched my body for years.

The Hush one is pretty perfect actually. Of course it's bloody sold out but I'll see if I can hunt one down.

slightly balloony bottom
https://www.freemans.com/products/bonprix-oversized-jersey-sleeveless-dress/_/A-937357_18?utm_medium=PLA&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=GS%20-%20Bonprix%20Value%20-%20%5BPMax%5D%20-%20%5BPLA%5D&ns_mchannel=PLA&ns_source=google&ns_campaign=GS%20-%20Bonprix%20Value%20-%20%5BPMax%5D%20-%20%5BPLA%5D&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20970105302&gbraid=0AAAAADplBR81LU2B-ROzNIF7wbQKQHXcb&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn8XFBhCxARIsAMyH8BvTszNuoAKHGGhVhGjIu4L1Nlu3UukWfn5RzwCHewF-zOdWKtIrtQwaAvwzEALw_wcB

£25 Bon Prix

https://www.bonprix.co.uk/products/jersey-maxi-dress/_/A-906639_10?PFM_rsn=productdisplay&PFM_pge=likedbyothers&atREC=true

Personally, I wouldn’t use Shein, for various reasons, but the problem with purity spirals is you’re probably going to end up getting it wrong. You’ve recommended a Laura Ashley dress - a company that have had plenty of slave labour accusations themselves, over the years. The last Modern Slavery statement from them I can find is dated 2018 - they were taken over in 2020 and again in January 2025, I can’t find any statement since then either specific to the brand or the new owners. Supply chains are so convoluted that it is difficult for any individual consumer to be 100% certain of the provenance of the product.

As the person responsible for your new wardrobe crush, @DailyMaui, I feel honour bound to contribute. I’m afraid I haven’t been actively looking so can’t report on any sub-£50 duplicates. But I happened to see this today:

The Frankie Shop 1

and thought of you. Although this might be a better buy for the season:

The Frankie Shop 2

Although I’ve just realised you said no column dresses so maybe not the second. Still, you could chase up any brands you like here and hunt down their sales.

https://www.mandmdirect.com/01/details/CQ30290/Pieces-Womens-Sofia-Tank-Ankle-Dress-Black

That’s such a plain rather ugly dress op , but they are sold in nearly every ladies store going. Next / new look etc and not to mention shein . Would definitely get it cheaper

That first one is gorg. Wish I had the budget... one day, when I have self funding children!

I have spent too long trying to find that bleeding Hush dress and it is sold out everywhere. I thought I'd found it on vinted but nay. I'll keep looking though.

Sadly that Sofia dress is too column like - I'd look like a boa constrictor after eating a cow in that with my apple belly...

I'm intrigued by that balloony one. Worried that it wouldn't waft around the problematic middle though.

I like the dress too but not at that price. The dupes suggested look too clingy. I think it's the silk that makes it look good, sorry!
I feel sure I saw similar on Cos.

You dont know that

Thanks for your heartfelt and VERY useful post. I clearly like plain and ugly. In all colours except sludge: that's an ugly stage too far for me, and DAMN do I love ugly. You should see my sandal collection. You'd probably faint with the fuglyness. You could always get me banned from this board for crimes against style.

I'll add that they are not sold in every ladies store going. You're thinking of those straight up and down column dresses. Which I cannot wear. Being an apple shape. As I already mentioned. I need something that has a swish, something that slightly billows.

Not sure I'm really helping here but some similar options - not matching your price point though.

This one is only slightly cheaper than the original (but also 10% off first order).
https://www.asceno.com/products/rita-dress-dusk-black-silk-cotton-voile?variant=56424103674237&country=GB&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_Europe_UK_ManualShopping&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21114160969&gbraid=0AAAAADJAw87dhWaqIEvmrLJq1iTj0hezs&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwsrFBhD6ARIsAPnUFD0FZuE7VMSpvHbLXlcwprTTxeHwpCvnxwNSPx5KX0wz-0J6cpEZRcgaAmELEALw_wcB

This one is dark green, but a cheaper option:
https://www.massimodutti.com/gb/100-linen-midi-dress-l06673595?banner=true

Hope you find something that works for you!

https://ebay.us/m/aV7YBu

https://ebay.us/m/udoQ9b

A sack possibly?

https://www.johnlewis.com/yumi-satin-cowl-neck-dress/p113182280

Marquee Brands owns Laura Ashley now. They also own Ben Sherman.