Perfect summer hol dress

[spritzwiththat]

Travelling with small hand luggage only so can only take one dress! I’m after something for evenings on a Greek island. Either below or above knee. Possibly black a good choice. Need to wear a bra!
Does this perfect dress exist?

Thanks for listing this - will order it. Just sorry it’s out of stock in cream!

These dresses are great, £22, and pack up small.
https://www.matalan.co.uk/search/?q=Papaya%20Trapeze%20Maxi%20Dress

It looks like it, but mine arrived within a few days with no extra fees or taxes or whatever.

Ah thanks, I might give them a try then! Some lovely things there. Bit wary though as I usually need to order different sizes and return.

I ordered a few to try, and found the sizing fairly consistent. I'm a 16 give or take, and have found L a good size on me.

anyone ordering from PACT - their Trustpilot reviews are pretty awful, I was all set to oder a few dresses but am giving them a swerve

Really? What were the issues? Service I had was very good, pretty simple transaction though I guess. Delivered within around 5 days of ordering.

I think I've looked at Pact dresses before and ende duo not ordering because there was a hefty charge to return, maybe?

I'm in a rather stylish city in Spain at the moment and everyone is well wearing long wafty round- or scoop-neck dresses, not dissimilar to the Matalan ones above.

Poor customer service. Appreciate it won't hit everyone

Do you know what the sizing is like on these? True to size or run small/ large? Thanks!

Similar to M&S.

Ah, thank you! I’ve ordered a selection of colours that were available in my size. They all look lovely!

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-embroidered-mini-tea-dress/p/clp23061251?color=WHITE

https://www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-printed-mini-waisted-dress/p/clp60786633?color=PINKMIX

Got those Matalan dresses today, they’re fab! Although only one was the right size. I’m going to have to stalk the website now in the hope the black and brown come back in in my size!

I was going to ask how you got on with them, @user593, thanks!

Would these be far too long for someone under 5’3”? Trying to work out how they’re midaxi. Look like maxi?

They’re long on me and I’m 5”6 (maybe 5”7, I’m not sure 😅) but I am also between sizes and went with the one on the roomier side so that probably isn’t helping.

Is bra a complete necessity, could try a stick on bra but the heat is likely to be a problem

This is a cheapie but goodie - really light weight and folds small, doesn't crease, fine with a bra, works over a swimming costume / bikini, would look nice in evening with lots of gold jewlery, could wear when travelling with a denim jacket etc etc!

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc148254349

@GarlicEverywhere @user593 @Snooples

I know it's not that important to some, & it's not a judgement thing on my part - I'm just trying to find out more about different companies, types of fabric production etc, in order to educate myself more on the rare occasions that I buy brand new clothing (I almost always buy from eBay/Vinted - well, apart from my knickers!).

Matalan comes out very poorly. The dresses are viscose, which at least is better than polyester in environmental terms. But the info (or lack of) about the factory workers isn't good. A dress that rolls up small without creasing is very handy though, & they do look quite nice, as do the colours - so maybe looking for them secondhand would be worthwhile?

https://thegoodshoppingguide.com/brand-directory/matalan/

https://www.curiouslyconscious.com/2020/07/is-matalan-fast-fashion-brand.html/

This is lovely but out of stock, if you see it in store anywhere.

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc147519237

You do have to cinch a bra a little, or I wear it over a pretty bikini top.

I've just bought the uniqlo dress recommended on this thread in the blue and black and it's lush and a bargain! ... now decide whether to keep the blue/black/both 🙈

How was the sizing? I'm a size 12 in M&S and was thinking of getting a Large.

I'm usually size 10-12. I'm short (5 ft 2) I weigh about 10 stone. I went for medium and it's perfect x

If you are hand luggage only, I'd suggest looking at something in that light soft viscose that folds up tiny but is cool to wear.
Linen is great but creases and is bulkier