Gransnet forums

AIBU

Summer dress

(37 Posts)
Sallywally1 Sat 12-Jun-21 15:02:06

Am I BU to want a summer dress that is attractive, not too young for someone my age (65), with sleeves, v neck, cotton with a bit of stretch, below the knee, with the waist where a lady’s is and not below the bust, no tiers on the skirt (reminds me of the 1970s), in a larger size. Most seem to be ‘currently unavailable’ in larger sizes.

It’s all so difficult!

NotTooOld Sat 12-Jun-21 15:18:57

With foresight I made a couple of cotton, below-the-knee summer dresses for myself during lockdown, Sallywally. My dressmaking is a bit hit and miss but these turned out ok. Agreed, suitable summer dresses to buy are hard to find. Seasalt are not bad but they are fairly pricey. Try Lands End. In the retail trade I imagine we are nearly at the end of the season and that is probably the reason for the 'currently unavailable'.

Blossoming Sat 12-Jun-21 15:27:14

Cotton Traders have some fitting your description, such as this one, and it’s reduced.

tinyurl.com/ae3drj84

Jaxjacky Sat 12-Jun-21 15:39:31

Depends what you mean by larger sizes, I’m not a dress wearer, but Joe browns have some like this one, up to an 18 I think.
www.joebrowns.co.uk/perfect-floral-dress-we015

Jaxjacky Sat 12-Jun-21 15:40:49

Oops not the best example, out of stock! They have many more.

Nannagarra Sat 12-Jun-21 15:50:00

Have you looked at Matalan (includes Fenn Wright Manson) or Boden?

Liz46 Sat 12-Jun-21 15:52:50

Blossoming

Cotton Traders have some fitting your description, such as this one, and it’s reduced.

tinyurl.com/ae3drj84

Thank you Blossoming. I have just ordered one.

Hellogirl1 Sat 12-Jun-21 15:56:38

An 18 is small to me, I need a 24, dresses do come in that size, but tend to sell out quickly, so I`m not the only biggie around. I saw a nice summer dress on the Zulily site, but it`s American, and their sizes are so different from ours. The dress came up to XXL, but when I checked, that`s our size 16 over there.

Aveline Sat 12-Jun-21 16:02:19

Just ordered this from M&S. It's in Tencel which is a nice soft fabric. I like the collar. It's to be a pull on after my hip op but I like look of it anyway

Saxifrage Sat 12-Jun-21 16:39:30

Found this in Monsoon this morning reduced from £60 to £25. It’s a very pretty light blue

www.monsoon.co.uk/dw/image/v2/BDLV_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-monsoon-master-catalog/default/dw459c5af0/images/large/21_14555502_1.jpg?sw=500&sh=640&sm=cut

Atqui Sat 12-Jun-21 17:18:49

I’ve ordered a cotton traders one. But wonder if it has seam under bust. Hope not!

Kim19 Sat 12-Jun-21 18:06:14

I googled 'Ladies' shirtwaister dress' and the result was pretty reasonable in my opinion.

Sarnia Sat 12-Jun-21 19:02:12

Tesco have some shift style summer dresses with short sleeves for around £18 up to size 22.

Blossoming Sat 12-Jun-21 19:25:59

It doesn’t look like it from the photos Atqui

Grammaretto Sat 12-Jun-21 19:29:34

I've been trying not to buy new thinking of the environment and all that.
Ebay
www.ebay.co.uk/b/Womens-Dresses/63861/bn_1636171
Thrift
thrift.plus/
It's a bit of a minefield but you can get some super quality things cheap if you persevere.

Deedaa Sat 12-Jun-21 19:34:42

Perhaps I shouldn't admit this at 75 but I'm wearing sleeveless maxi dresses with high waists because I haven't got a waist. Bright colours and a mixture of M&S and Joe Brown's.

Callistemon Sat 12-Jun-21 20:08:58

Any without a low neck please?

Callistemon Sat 12-Jun-21 20:11:21

The Joe Brown one reminds me of a Fatface one which my DD bought when she was in her 20s.
It was lovely on her, size 8 or 10

Redhead56 Sat 12-Jun-21 20:13:48

Joe Browns for me too some nice shapes over the knee. If there are no sleeves I wear a little cardigan to cover up arms. I am a size 14 depends on the shape I might order 16.

B9exchange Sat 12-Jun-21 20:51:25

Deeda good for you! I am not sure why there is the feeling that you can't wear sleeveless dresses over a certain age, they are much cooler!

Deedaa Sat 12-Jun-21 21:05:27

B9exchange I just feel that I haven't got that many summers left to wear what I like so what the hell!

NotTooOld Sat 12-Jun-21 21:16:11

I'm wearing sleeveless maxi dresses too and I'm older than you, Deedaa! Mine came from Lands End and is very comfortable.

Blossoming Sat 12-Jun-21 21:16:36

Deedaa exactly! I only have one maxi dress at the moment as I’m quite short so have to check what lengths th8nhs are before buying. I’ve had a wardrobe clearance and got rid of things I didn’t wear or feel happy in. I have some lovely short summer dresses, either sleeveless or cap sleeved. They’re all knee length on me. The one thing I always look for is pockets, love my pockets ?

NotAGran55 Sat 12-Jun-21 22:56:25

Seasalt might fit the bill , with sizes to 28 .

BigBertha1 Sun 13-Jun-21 07:27:40

I love universes and can always find what I want from Biden. Lots if sizes and lengths,lots sleeves, many colours prints and plains and frequent discounts.