Please help me find a dress to wear in the evenings on holiday.

[CosmicMountain]

I'm going to Portugal soon and its forecast to be 30°C at 8pm. And I already run hot thanks to perimenopause.

I'd like a lovely dress to wear to go out to dinner in the evening that won't leave me sticky.

Maybe no sleeves to air my armpits but wide straps so I'm not revealing too much flesh. I must wear a bra (34f).

Not billowy - too much fabric. Talking of fabric, is it best to go for light cotton, linen or perhaps viscose?

Colour wise, I'm flexible. I have dark brown hair and eyes and love burnt orange or jade green.

I'm size 12-14, bigger bust than hips and a slightly wobbly belly. I don't like anything high necked.

Budget is ideally less than £100.

Can anyone recommend something vaguely like this?

Cotton would be cool

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/products/green-gingham-maxi-tiered-sleeveless-cotton-dress

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/products/blue-floral-print-cotton-v-neck-ruched-maxi-dress

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/products/blue-frill-sleeve-linen-midi-dress

Not as full but viscose

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/products/green-linear-leaf-print-side-split-sleeveless-maxi-dress

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/products/green-floral-print-scoop-neck-maxi-dress

Thank you @24Dogcuddler

I don't know anything about Live Unlimited. Have you bought much from them?

The dresses are all quite long. My legs are good so I'd prefer midi length.

Yes good quality and service. They sell the brand on John Lewis.

I’ve got this and it is so much nicer in person and gets me compliments galore. I’ve worn it out in the recent hot evenings and been very comfortable.

https://www.apricotonline.co.uk/v-neck-ruffle-tiered-maxi-dress/St24110402-Green.html

https://www.regatta.com/regatta-life-womens-matira-dress-grenadine/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%7Bcampaignname%7D_18127960289&utm_content=%7Badgroupname%7D_&utm_term=&utm_brand=regatta&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17336286660&gbraid=0AAAAADQdSE-DIRrD9EFI3qNNyNRWo8uO5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxvCxh9PwlQMVJIlQBh2OVANIEAQYCyABEgLjVPD_BwE

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/soraya-midi-dress-2615838003

Thanks for new links. I'm heading out so I'll check them out later 🙏

Patterned or plain, OP? And what height are you? Do you have a waist that you want emphasised (or at least not ignored!) - or are you happy for the dress to skim over it? Do you like boho/tiered styles, or would you prefer something simpler? Where do you usually shop?

It's not just whether it's cotton/linen/viscose, it's the weight & tightness of weave. A linen blend will crease less than pure cotton, if that matters to you. There are quite a few dresses around in cotton gauze/muslin-type fabrics, or seersucker, that are light & cool to wear - whereas cotton jersey or denim will be heavier. Some linens can be surprisingly thick/heavy too.

This is slightly over your budget, but it's a great colour & lovely simple shape. Yes it's long - but that's what lends it a bit of swoosh & elegance. And it has side slits so your legs will be on view ... Gold sandals & earrings, a big brushed gold cuff etc & that's it.

https://www.albaray.co.uk/products/linen-v-neck-dress-ss26

If you prefer something neater, this is really nice (though again a bit over budget). I know it's also long - but I think for evening that long looks dressier? I have "good" legs too & though I might wear shorter dresses etc in the day, I prefer long for evening as it just looks more dressed up, instantly, without too much fuss.

https://www.allsaints.com/women/dresses/luna-crinkle-cotton-midi-dress/W291DE-4.html?gad_campaignid=24013459853&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADp7WQBw0hETRPEPaRewQFSDItlzJ&gclsrc=aw.ds&nst=0&utm_campaign=google_surfaces&utm_content=googlefreelistings

Not sure if it is too long for you OP, but I’ve bought this for my holiday. Looks much better on than the photo. I think I’ll wear it with one of my own belts though to dress it up a bit. www.boden.com/products/women-mia-v-neck-jersey-midi-dress-firecracker-red-d1557red?_pos=7&_fid=a9f666f43&_ss=c

More casual & flouncy, in cotton gauze, within budget.

dresses & skirts/clearance coastal double gauze beach to brunch maxi dress wearpact.com/women/apparel/all%20dresses%20&%20skirts/clearance%20coastal%20double%20gauze%20beach%20to%20brunch%20maxi%20dress

I have a Traffic People 100% cotton dress in this style. I wore it recently in high evening temperatures.

I was cool but I felt casually elegant wafting around a beautiful Spanish old town!

Now that I've spotted it, I'm very tempted by it myself! I do like a bit of wafting on a summer evening ...!!!

That’s what I’m looking for as well! Some of the dresses people are sharing are nice but they are very long-my legs are my nicest bit, I think!

I’d like something black or navy, a bit below the knee, sleeveless but not spaghetti strap, lightweight (but not see through), not billowy!

This Seasalt one is shorter, but IMO more of a day than evening dress. Depends on how dressed up you want to be though & it's simple & linen & easy to accessorise.

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/lowland-heather-sleeveless-linen-midi-dress

I think the problem is that just-over-the-knee isn't a very "in" dress length right now - unless it is a more billowy/voluminous shape? Mini shift dresses yes, maxi or long midi yes - but on or around the knee in a neat shape, not so much?

If you want to show off your legs wouldn't you wear a mini dress? They don't have to be knicker length!!!

Though would this suit? Or does this count as "billowy"? In which case do you mean fitted? Or shift? Or A-line?

https://www.masai.co.uk/dresses/noriane-dress/1012454-2000S-XL.html?pi=3&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Masai%20UK&utm_term=1012454-2000S-XL&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21151407819&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4JbTBhCoARIsALWUaBstEgyeJ7mIv5-_yqyKbLMm-5f67Px9QaO7vV6vb0cNEl-AcDlX5kgaAru7EALw_wcB

These?

Where are you going In Portugal?
I live in the Algarve, close to the sea, and nothing remotely close to 30c at 8pm, more like 20c. We have been very fortunate and not seen excessive temperatures this Summer, evenings have generally been lovely and not too hot at all.
Hope you have a lovely holiday

I’ve been seeing this brand around a bit, mostly through links on here - is it delivery from the US? Or do you know if there are any UK retailers?

I think it is sent from the US (though made in India, organic & Fairtrade). P&P doesn't seem expensive though, but I do t know about returns etc - maybe look up reviews etc on Trustpilot or other sites?

Good call, will do.

Ethical and sustainable, based in the UK, have linen and 100% cotton dresses. I love pockets!

This is one of them.

https://yesfriends.co/collections/dresses/products/linen-wrap-dress?variant=55226792804733

Look on vinted too. I buy most of my clothes on vinted now at a fraction of the cost.
Picked up a handbag worth 120 for 30.

I rather like that, yes! Not in stock in a 14-16 though 🫣