Need a summer dress, bored of wearing shorts in this weather!

[drspouse]

I want a dress that isn't frumpy but is "easy to wear" (just for weekends, about the house, or in the office which is very quiet at the moment and not at all dressy or smart).
Absolutely no puff sleeves or spaghetti straps or strapless or anything I can't wear my highly engineered bra with.
I also prefer jersey again due to large bust, and not at all slim waist.
I'm a busty size 14, 5ft 3 so maxi is too long but midi usually comes out maxi on me.
I keep seeing ditsy prints (feel like they will be too grumpy), polyester (yuck in this heat), or black or yellow (make me look dead). I'm quite pale so tend to wear navy, purple, blue, pink.

Please style me! It's not for a special occasion so not £100s but maybe £80-100 for something I'll wear a lot. I usually go to Boden but can't see anything I like.

this looks like a nice shape but seems expensive for what it is. Is this along the right lines?

Oliver Bonas also has a big range of dresses that might work, I like this for example but lots of options.

They tend to be either cotton or viscose which is fairly cool (unlike polyester)

I’m the same height and size as you and recently bought this from Fat Face. It’s cool and versatile; you won’t be scouted for the fashion pages but it looks nice with brown sandals and trainers.

https://www.fatface.com/style/sv250255/g52937

This is nice too.

https://www.fatface.com/style/sv244282/v60493

Have you looked on Romans, very hit and miss but I've just got a viscose dress that is very cool, floaty, with a geo print and very unlike their usual fitted dresses. May be worth a look, as they have a huge number of options and there's always a voucher code somewhere.

I also like this and reckon it would get a lot of wear. Not jersey though. I tend to find jersey a bit hotter than woven cotton

Try fatface I’m 5ft4 and length seems to be ok on me with some of theirs. Also easy to wear casual so suitable for anything.

Ive just bought five off Vinted, three are by Nobodys Child, two by Finery.
Like you I am large of bust. They are all the same basic design which is seamed under the bust and buttoned down the front. Midi length which is longer on me as on 5ft 3in.

This one of them.
https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/9420049621-dress

Some great finds! I could definitely relax in the navy one, some of the prints are possibly a bit too ditsy.
I will browse on FatFace and Vinted in the first instance!

Crew Clothing and Tu are good at this type of thing.

I’m a similar height and shape to you - also a busty 14 and must have sleeves - and I bought this jersey dress. It’s cool, easy to slip on and quite flattering. The sleeves hang limply - not puffed:

I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think? https://www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-leah-abstract-jersey-dress-green-multi/p114787216?size=6&tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_bmV0LndoYXRzYXBwLldoYXRzQXBwLlNoYXJlRXh0ZW5zaW9u

https://www.hobbs.com/product/petite-kayleigh-linen-dress/0125-5722-9094L04-NAVY.html

Annoyingly the 14 is OOS! I will check Vinted though.

I’ve bought a stripe jersey dress from The Style Attic this year and a blue jersey knot side one from Next, I’d definitely buy them both again in different colours

I’m 5’1” and have some easy to wear slightly stretchy jersey dresses from Mountain Warehouse - two last year, two more this year in different prints for about £80 in total.

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/p/023965/mw/orchid-patterned-womens-uv-dress/dark-blue/?_gl=11k1d6lt_upMQ.._gaMTE3NDQ5ODg0Ni4xNzg0MzMwMTUw_ga_3F0STYNNTV*czE3ODQzMzAxNDkkbzEkZzEkdDE3ODQzMzAzNjgkajYwJGwwJGgxMzc1OTkzNTMx

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/p/035129/mw/santorini-womens-uv-jersey-wrap-dress

https://ebay.io/m/yAYNOx

I love Avoca. It is an Irish brand that isn't well known, so you can pick it up on eBay for next to nothing.

The old "school run dress" threads used to be great for this.

Know what you mean about the sea of ditsy printed polyester monstrosoties OP as am in a similar boat.

I've got 4 Mountain Warehouse Orchid dresses that I've been wearing all the time recently.
I'm 170cm and they are knee length on but would be slightly longer on you (I'd prefer very slightly longer).

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/p/023965/mw/orchid-patterned-womens-uv-dress/
There are loads of colours / patterns - have a look before you dismiss based on the blue pattern in the link.

These?

Edit: have just looked at sizing and they aren't all available, but will leave my post in case helpful to anyone.

Yes, it’s the first of my two links. The other style is similar but crossover v neck which might be better for someone busty perhaps. They’ve got other dresses instore, some of which are longer. I tried another which I liked but it didn’t have pockets

I saw your post, but the pictured link was the Santorini, so I thought I'd post as well.
I do like my pockets!
Am now tempted by that black one, quite different to my others...

Look at popsy clothing. It’s a small UK brand with lots of choice and nice bright prints. Lots of jersey dresses too.
https://www.popsyclothing.co.uk/

I got this after seeing it here - https://www.hush-uk.com/liddie-air-flow-barrel-tank-dress-soft-leopard/013798-4604.html

it’s very light and comfy and not too long - I’m 5ft 1” and a 34d if that helps!

@Overtheatlantic thanks for those links - I'm only 5'1 and the current 'fitted top and flare out skirt' (tea-dress type shapes) are just so hideous on me. Too much material in the lower skirt and I look like a victorian frump. I need shirt dress and shift dress type shapes, always!

I bought this and the rust one recently. Really easy to throw on and look nice with flip flops or sandals. I am 5'3" and it is just above ankle length me.

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/p/057308/mw/malaga-broderie-sleeve-womens-tiered-dress/Navy/?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MW_UK_GGL_SHOPPING_BRAND&utm_term=&utm_content=sIzUYk5uP|pcrid|704096895832|pkw||pmt||pdv|m|slid||product|057308034002|&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=806756623&gclid=CjwKCAjwyOzSBhBTEiwAmxvJ-v-cmCs4uqKFUBezMZms66Eh3CX6ESLdMz1iH4_gWcEKVcPIcdq_YhoCZ4wQAvD_BwE