Loose fit, lightweight, long cotton dress, with long sleeves & with pockets?

[MyrtlethePurpleTurtle]

First time asking a question in Style & Beauty. And may be TMI but here goes...

As the heading indicates, I'm looking for a dress with the following features:
a) loose fit
b) lightweight
c) cotton (not linen!)
d) ankle length/midi
e) pockets!
(and not see through in strong sunlight).

Not so much concerned about being beautiful or stylish but something that meets the above criteria and which doesn't require alterations.

Reason for looking for this type of dress is I'll shortly be returning to a country in Central Asia which was sweltering in April/May of this year and will be even hotter in July 🤦‍♀️ . And where women dress fairly conservatively - even Western visitors. Though plenty of colourful dresses and fabrics were being born - no need to stick to black or plain fabrics!

Note:
i) I'm 'petite / a shortie - 5'1" So 'regular' long dresses will trail the ground!
ii) I'm a size 8 - 10 but with boobs - basically, a Bravissimo woman rather than with an athletic build
iii) as an older woman, something that looks floaty and willowy on someone out of their teens can look dowdy and night dress like on me. But hell, if I have to look like a Victorian maiden aunt in a voluminous nightdress, then so be it!

I normally shop at Fatface/Seasalt/White Stuff but I didn't find anything suitable there. I did order and try on this Seasalt dress which on the face of it ticked all my requirements - ie loose, lightweight(ish), cotton, long, pockets and in a petite fit. However, when I tried it on in various sizes, it managed to be both hugely voluminous whilst tight around the bust and armpits 🤷‍♀️ - I give the link to show what didn't work!

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/windblown-tiered-v-neck-above-ankle-dress?cm_mmc=AWIN--referral--affiliate--affiliate&utmsource=AWIN&utmmedium=referral&utmid=78888%7CSkimlinks%7Cwww.mumsnet.com&svcampaignid=78888&svtax1=affiliate&svtax2=928475%7C936177&svtax3=Skimlinks&svtax4=mumsnet.com&svaffiliateid=78888&awc=75481780586064c4ab962d8ee12a5c185a47514bd45edf

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/windblown-tiered-v-neck-above-ankle-dress

Thanks in advance for any pointers!

PS When I was last in the country I'll be returning to, I did look round the markets etc to buy a dress locally but pretty much invariably they were in synthetic fabrics, often quite heavy.

Edited to say: not sure if the Seasalt link works - but maybe it doesn't much matter as it was too illustrate what doesn't work!

I haven't bought anything from this company, so cannot vouch for quality, but it could be of interest

https://thisisunfolded.com/

I've just had a brief look and tbh it seems to be incredibly difficult to find what you're looking for but with long sleeves. Plenty with short sleeves or sleeveless.
So my suggestion is get a couple of those and a very lightweight kimono jacket to throw on top to cover your arms. Like from 100 stars. You couldn't wear their dresses because they are see through, but presumably a see through kimono over a good dress would work?

https://onehundredstars.co.uk/collections/kimonos-one-hundred-stars?tw_source=google&tw_adid=800183999253&tw_campaign=23842702443&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23842702443&gclid=CjwKCAjwxITRBhBYEiwA6mZm7Uy-XayA-J2rWDeKAhflBzqTFXMvkqZsqKU71xMShl0dUYfCC9UO8BoCvVQQAvD_BwE

There’s a nice cheesecloth Seasalt dress that is loose and light.

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/pebble-comb-organic-cotton-tiered-dress?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&color=26970&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23171850874&gbraid=0AAAAAD_rcokzc_GoUk1MpLY8LLltvpVTG&gclid=CjwKCAjwxITRBhBYEiwA6mZm7cGDlar16z7NJoJdLrtaCeKLwgC8EiX7OushVIJ3rimc4tDWiIJzKhoC2C0QAvD_BwE

There is a longer version of this too.

You could try Rew - it's the kind of thing they make though sleeves tend to be elbow or 3/4 however I know Rachel has made alterations/ created custom garments before for people. Definitely worth a call if you don't see anything on the website.

REW clothing

Following with interest, as I’m always on the lookout for exactly this. I’ve never found anything that ticks all the boxes. I always have to compromise on something, and find an additional garment to cover the compromise. Like a PP suggested, a kimono or other light jacket to cover arms. I prefer a cropped jacket to minimise extra layers.

Don’t compromise on neckline, as scarves are quite warming IMO and can slip.

Shorter dresses can be worn with loose trousers(salwar kameez style), with the benefit that both garments can be very thin as you’re not going to see anything through two layers.

Maybe try Aspigia? Exactly their sort of thing. Quite pricey, but worth a look.

Sorry. Like these. https://www.aspiga.com/collections/all-dresses

Make sure you’re happy with their long delivery times and returns policy before you order

Maybe look at modest dress brands like Touche Prive?

Mountain Warehouse.

Funnily enough, when not looking for the type of dress I described, I came across the turquoise one of this and loved it. However, this one does not have long sleeves (and I didn't see a longer length - unless you meant going for a 'tall' to get a longer length)

I love Mountain Warehouse - only discovered them last year when looking for a down coat suitable for -40° (seems to be a theme here of extreme weather temperatures...)! I bought several of their lovely cotton dresses at the same time - pockets, comfortable, pretty, great value and don't crease (and wash well in a hotel sink). It was one of the first places I looked but they don't have anything with long sleeves or that is long

Thanks - I'll take a look at that. I was wondering whether to google 'modest clothing' or Islamic clothing for women (or similar). Even though I'm not gong to a Moslem country

The one hundred stars pinch pleat dresses are really lovely but might be long on you. The feel so floaty and cool.

I did search reasonably extensively before starting this thread and was surprised at the lack of what I'm looking for - I mean, I didn't think it that niche. So I'd find long sleeved long dresses but with slashed necklines. Or lovely dresses but sleeveless or with short sleeves. Or suitable dresses but no pockets. Or, finally, just when finding something, reading the reviews and seeing it's essentially sheer/see through and you need to wear a slip unless using as beach wear.

When I was last in the country I'm revisiting, I was there very unexpectedly and didn't have appropriate clothing. So not quite shalwar kameez - but I worse my knee length short sleeved Seasalt dress with a scarf draped over my shoulders and leggings underneath - god, were those leggings hot.

if I find something, I'll post

I immediately thought of One Hundred Stars. I have a 'Rachel' dress. The only thing is it's not cotton but it's not an uncomfortable fabric

Variously:

1. www.monsoon.co.uk/east-kris-hand-batik-floral-maxi-dress-pink-80011700088.html

1. https://www.monsoon.co.uk/east-gabriette-geometric-print-embroidered-dress-blue-80011130007.html

1. https://www.johnlewis.com/raishma-amber-floral-shirt-maxi-dress-navy/p115057151

1. https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-embroidered-v-neck-maxi-dress/p/clp23067035

1. https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-poplin-striped-midi-shirt-dress/p/clp23061827

https://clovedale.com/products/amaris-linen-long-shirt-dress?currency=GBP&country=GB&variant=64763578909021&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=b22c0ce95047&utm_campaign=23732756346&utm_ad_group=&utm_ad=&utm_source=google&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23742581023&gbraid=0AAAAA-vNuGBb5lkcrCT71Fh8-HZfQLKLx&gclid=Cj0KCQjwio_RBhDMARIsAJPveNMzJvnFo1stpScGnVaTdnFdEXXWSzDvuq9QuF-UCeWJhV7MpSKW10IaAmyhEALw_wcB i8

https://www.cottontraders.com/women/3%2F4-sleeve-maxi-striped-shirt-dress/AG11019.html?cgid=womens#prefn1=productType&prefv1=Dresses&cgid=womens&start=6&list=product%20list&p=5

Do sleeves need to be below the elbow? You mention long sleeves in the heading, but not in your list is the reason I ask. I recently bought this and its lovely but the sleeves are above the elbow so maybe no good for you. Also comes in a light blue. https://www.popsyclothing.co.uk/products/alison-black-button-front-cotton-midaxi-dress

There are other cotton long sleeved options but the designs might not be for you / if you are in a conservative country.

Something like this from Etsy maybe?

God, no, not leggings - that must have been sweltering!

Any particular reason why not separates? You might have more flexibility that way. Plus IME a skirt can be worn more often before needing to be washed, so you need to take less weight. Eg 2 skirts and 5 shirts will do the work of 5 dresses.

Not sure my link worked very well. How about this:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1824580498/hand-block-print-cotton-midi-dress?ls=r&ref=landingpage_similar_listing_tertiary-5&pro=1&frs=1&content_source=a7e126da1a3380b47209c21586d8b2a0%253ALT572dbe1f57bbeb184f8f2eea99bbf428b9687ccb&logging_key=a7e126da1a3380b47209c21586d8b2a0%3ALT572dbe1f57bbeb184f8f2eea99bbf428b9687ccb

I don't mean to sound smart or anything, but would you be able to buy suitable dresses in your destination rather than here before you go. I'd get one suitable dress here and try get the rest there, since the shops will be geared up for what you need.

I really rate the monsoon pink/red maxi dress above, seems to fit the bill.

Worn once. You could ask for a length and if it has pockets, sellers don’t always adid the detail - and make an offer.
https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/9104538095-boden-shirt-dress-size-10-regular