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?

One? One dress?

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-polka-dot-midi-shirred-dress/p/clp61225479?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share&color=ChocolateMix

I used to have big tits too, this would work
https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-shirred-midi-waisted-dress/p/clp60916118?color=Black&intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-gingham-v-neck-midi-dress/p/clp23067443?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share&color=Pink

Sign up for a notification? You might get lucky ...!! I like the back detail.

Cotton

www.monsoon.co.uk/east-aurelie-hand-woodblock-botanical-print-dress-multi-80011900020.html

Look at seasalt and phase 8 sale they have some good 100% cotton and linen options in the sales

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/kourtney-midi-dress-2614884001 I get compliments on this every time I wear it, cotton and linen and felt airy in 35 degree heat in London but not too baggy.

Thanks for the questions @EleanorMc67.

I'm 5' 5", I think I prefer plain but I love the pattern on the Monsoon dress. Botanicals are my thing. I like floaty, I'm basically a hippy but that can lead to 'scruffy'. I'm looking for something a bit more special this time. I do have a waist, happy to accentuate it or be skimmed over. My hips are relatively narrow, I'm top heavy. I want flattering, especially for my wobbly tummy. I'm not sure about tiered or shirred. I need style counsel!

I haven't bought myself anything new or nice for a very long time. I used to love Whistles, Jigsaw and Monsoon. These days, I rarely spot anything I like in Whistles so I feel out of date.

I know I don't want jersey, lightweight fabric is my preference. The reason I said not billowy is I dont want lots of gathered fabric as I find it heavy and it makes me too hot. If I wear something long, as elegant as it will look, I will be hitching it up and flapping it to air my thighs. Not so elegant.

I'm happy with mini.

So far, I love the top half of the green Apricot dress. I feel as thought the style of the Monsson dress is very 'me' but I don't know if it's right for this particular brief. I also like the Seasalt one but I may be slipping in to 'safe' territory there.

I want to stay away from black, beige, grey and purple. I dont think pastel colours work for me. Every other colour is an option.

https://www.allsaints.com/women/sale/canto-floral-ruffled-maxi-dress/W100DE-10444.html

https://www.allsaints.com/women/sale/mira-silk-blend-floral-midi-dress/W288DE-10644.html

I think these dresses are pretty but they're pricey, they have polyester linings and the colours maybe too washed out for me. I'm trying to show what catches my eye.

Mint velvet have a lovely short green dress but over budget at £120… however a bank holiday offer may appear!

Monsoon at John Lewis have a vibrant [[I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think?
https://www.johnlewis.com/monsoon-noelle-embroidered-mini-dress-orange/p115164039?size=s&tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ= but it has a sleeve. I would have still worn this peak menopause.

Complete bargain Green sleeveless shirt dress from phase eight!

I’ve got a dress almost exactly the same as that in that same colour - plus another one in gold - and they were both £10 from Primark!

I saw the primark ones, phenomenal quality for the price.

@Casceres I'm going to Alvor.

I've een using the met office app to check weather forecast but I'll be thrilled if it's closer to 20°.

Well, to be fair I think Whistles definitely lost its way for quite a long time & their fabrics became terrible - so it mightn't be you! But they've had some decent things in lately. Jigsaw I still like, but their clothes can occasionally be a bit subdued.

Yes, really annoys me when they line silk dresses with polyester!

You said maybe sleeveless, & ideally under £100, but as it's only one dress I'm assuming if you love it you'd consider spending more ...? What about this Farm Rio one? I like mini dresses with long sleeves - it throws focus onto the legs & IMO looks more elegant & evening-appropriate?

And if you like botanical prints, a slightly hippy vibe, & Monsoon, Farm Rio is a good label to check out?

https://farmrio.uk/products/flora-tapestry-green-mini-dress

Thank you for sharing those @SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePleaseBarista

The first one isn't for me and the orange one is too sleevey.

I'm sitting on the Phase Eight one for now.

You're right @EleanorMc67, I would consider spending more. FarmRio looks too loud for me.

I really like the Pact ones you shared, especially the red. I have a dilemma re the sizing. It says to size down as it runs big but there are no returns so I'm not sure.

I think my current top 3 are the Albaray one, the Seasalt one and the Apricot one.

This mini is by another "posh hippy/boho" brand, & has a further 30% off. Daintier print. Quite low though ...!

https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/poupette-st-barth-sasha-printed-minidress-green-p00992286?dplink=true&utm_source=sea_pla&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=google_sea&chn=sea_shopping&src=google&cmp=22286789689&tarea=gb&tar=&ag=&ptyp=&feed_num=P00992286-5&gclid=Cj0KCQjwg5zTBhCLARIsAP2AFU5XNLB7yF6lZScmtxxaXXZ6M1xuCEn9k667qxLZZ-d8uFt7jMazXbkaApn3EALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAD3Pw-mfVIACiuDjZyxq2EbhL0vGp&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22276402281&gbraid=0AAAAAD3Pw-mfVIACiuDjZyxq2EbhL0vGp&slink_id=6a4f2cde-cae7-428a-845c-43ef870b7e6e&slink=1

Don't think this has been posted? Out of stock in the plummy colour, but green & pink available.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-viv-double-cloth-short-dress-deep-wisteria-d1680pur

Sleeveless in organic cotton.

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/connie-shift-dress-2613205004?variant=55362955772289&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Nobodys_Child-UK-PMax-All-DT%2BTA-SE-ePmax-Tier+4&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20969365384&gbraid=0AAAAADQCJIXU3kwsJTiW3S7cywwVlzeYz&gclid=Cj0KCQjwg5zTBhCLARIsAP2AFU4GYGkbXoy8wA6Jg9AnrIPmLtQzyEVAoPtVKOBkFKQACRwhc1cVkFEaAqcrEALw_wcB

I got this in the plum and returned it yesterday (size 12 heading back 🤣) as it was quite ‘full’ almost bulky and not as sleek as the reviews suggest. I think it’s the double layer of cheesecloth like fabric.

That's a shame - it looks great in the photo! The green one is broderie anglaise but if it's lined might have the same issue ...

What about white, OP (very in)? Plain in colour but has a bit of boho detail.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/lyocell-rich-broderie-v-neck-mini-smock-dress/p/clp61220376?color=SoftWhite&intid=mobile_app_pdp_share