Help needed with extremely particular summer dress requirements.

[Hullygully]

Can anyone suggest where I might find summer dresses that are:

1. Extremely plain, verging on unnoticeable - no patterns, flounces, detailing, not too short, not too fitted (old).

1. Thin shoulder-strapped (hot weather)

1. Blue or thereabouts.

I am rubbish at shopping and clothes and desperate for help. Can't face another summer sweltering in shirts....

Ahhh. It all seems so hard. There are so many other things to think about, I don't seem to be able to manage appearance as well, that's why I just want a couple of extremely dull, serviceable, non-frumpy blue summer frocks...

And we have come full circle.

Do like th efour button one though.

buy it then!

and maybe some MN uniform birkies to match

I'll give it serious thought...

Thanks everyone.

The graet plains button dress would look nice with these or something similar.

Yes to birkies, get them in metallic silver, non frumpy and comfy, they go with everything.

Birkies, eh? Hadn't thought of them, but they sound quite manageable.

madrid

I have not read the whole thread, but look on Landsend.co.uk for swimming costumes. They are not especially cheap, but have "styles to flatter every figure" and are good quality

Hullygully, I implore you... please no Birkies. Please.

Right, have read the whole thread (well skimmed really). I can "see" you in the Gudrun one.

And to answer your question about frumpiness, I think the length is the thing. Mid calf length is very bad - visually cuts across your legs at the widest part of the calf. Many dresses now are too short for us 40 somethings. I like either bohemian-looking maxi, or (better) Bodenesque on-the-knee.

Colour is really really important. I had a terrible crisis of clothes confidence after my first DS, and a friends mum did my colours. I now ignore clothes not in those colours and it has really helped me not get distracted in shops.

That said, dresses are very hard for me, too.

hully - you are such a lovely funny lady. I see you in gorgeous colour.

at tethersend

This is lovely but nothing like you asked for !

Check out Monsoon in general.

the Great Plains button dress is cute, but it depends on your bosoms really.

Hully, any decisions yet?

Have a look at this

don't be scared just wear with spanx

you'll love these casual ones
one

two

three

sundress

I like that v much, James. And it is blue.

What sort of bosoms are required?

Tell me about colours - I am English of hue with mad frizzy silver hair (looks quite nice when just washed, more on the blonde curly side then).

I do agree re length, I think that was the prob with the terrible Auntie Dorothy dress.

What do you lot wear in v hot weather?

Coco - your link doesn't work.

Why not Tethers?

Oh works for me, loads aren't ATM mind. Itwas madrid birkinstocks, less lentil weaverish than some.

Monsoon looking v promising.

I'll look on Birkie site. Ta.

why why tethers? give me alternatives.

I can't, Hully, I can't. Anything I recommend will be instantly derided as not as comfortable- which is true, but I would rather suffer discomfort than glance down and see the horror.

Would you do the French white lace up plimsoll look?

Or any other sandal?

Or any other shoe?

At all?

This?

www.planet.co.uk/en-gb/ProductDetails/?cid=PCATDRE&pid=N3D6025&language=en-GB

flip flops.

That is a pretty dress, mumsnut, but too saucy for such as I.

www.wallis.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=true&catalogId=20 551&storeId=12557&categoryId=140432&parentcategoryrn=140428&productId=1654281&langId=-1 Any good?

www.wallis.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=true&catalogId=20 551&storeId=12557&categoryId=140432&parentcategoryrn=140428&productId=1565701&langId=-1 Too fliffly?