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Please help me find a dress for my lovely mum

68 replies

Dressstressed · 13/07/2026 17:56

She’d like a summer dress that’s perhaps empire line, with short sleeves, and comes below the knee. She’s only 5’1” so anything designed to sit on the knee will be below on her..
She suits purples, pinks, white, some blues, maybe some reds if not orangey. Definitely not dark green, dark yellow, orange, grey or anything drab as it just drains her colouring. She likes pretty, floral, possibly pastel, but can get away with bolder shades too.

She has short grey hair, is 87 but doesn’t look it and dresses young rather than “old lady” style. She is not blessed of bosom and wouldn’t want a belt. She’s slim and petite all over really.

Everything I’ve looked at so far looks drab and dreary and tent like if it’s got sleeves. Or the prints are too big and would swamp her.

She has to wear trainers due to mobility issues and wears white, sparky Skechers.

Budget of no more than £80.

Any suggestion much appreciated!

OP posts:
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Imtoooldforallthis · 13/07/2026 18:03

How about this
www.phase-eight.com/product/azalea-floral-shimmer-dress-10010090000.html

Dressstressed · 13/07/2026 18:03

I forgot to add: preferably Cotton.

OP posts:
DelphiniumBlue · 13/07/2026 18:09

You could try the Gudrun Sjoden sale, they have colourful, natural fabrics. Very marmite though.

Imtoooldforallthis · 13/07/2026 18:14

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1357622005.html

Nighttimenoise · 13/07/2026 18:17

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc148466376

upsofloating · 13/07/2026 18:46

Lovely daughter

SpringingOn · 13/07/2026 18:56

Megan Embroidered Jersey Dress in MID BLUE | White Stuff https://share.google/D2Zz1cwY3tH9OS6sf

StylishAndBeautiful · 13/07/2026 19:24

I assumed cotton Smile. No details were given in the link I added.
Brody Mid Green Broderie Dress | FatFace
Not cotton but linen: Immy Teal Blue Linen Dress | FatFace

GLOBALBEES · 13/07/2026 19:33

DelphiniumBlue · 13/07/2026 18:09

You could try the Gudrun Sjoden sale, they have colourful, natural fabrics. Very marmite though.

They are made for giants

TheCurious0range · 13/07/2026 20:04

Sea salt are a good shout for cotton,. They also have a petite range. Their returns are free and very easy so could order a few things to try. These are all cotton. Other than the yellow which is linen.
https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/organic-cotton-jersey-fit-flare-pier-view-dress

ETA everything pictured or linked is from their petite line

Please help me find a dress for my lovely mum
Please help me find a dress for my lovely mum
Please help me find a dress for my lovely mum
BrickProblems · 13/07/2026 21:57

Also suggesting Seasalt, their clothes are lovely and soft too. Here’s one that comes in quite a few patterns: www.seasaltcornwall.com/enor-dress-organic-cotton-with-pockets

OneNewEagle · 13/07/2026 22:07

Seasalt petite range.
cotton traders.

have you tried any local garden centres? Most of mine have quite a few bits of clothes in that would be ok.

mydamnfootstuckinthedoor · 13/07/2026 22:08

I am not 87, am "only" 70. Honestly, everything I've seen so far is so "old lady" I'd not be seen dead in it!!! Old lady styles look great on young ladies. Old ladies need something altogether different! NO FLORALS!!!! And no fitted dresses or sweetheart necklines!!! Go for something drapey and plain, add scarf or jewellery that suits. Take your style tips from Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Joanna Lumley ... or find your own icon!

TheCrenchinglyMcQuaffenBrothers · 13/07/2026 22:08

Hope and Ivy do empire line, mid length, pretty florals and they have a lot in the sale atm.

StylishAndBeautiful · 13/07/2026 22:12

87 is 'old lady', @mydamnfootstuckinthedoor .