The perfect summer dresses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My thighs touch which is why I rarely wear dresses. Anyone else have a fix?

Based on this forum, I believe some people wear shorts under dresses to address this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm 42. My perfect summer dress is:

1. A light, 100% woven cotton, and NOT a knit jersey that get too hot, but mustn't be too see-through. If gauzy, it has to have a cotton lining at certain areas. Linings are often not cotton, so that reduced options.
2. It has cap sleeves or similar to protect my shoulders from the sun.
3. It has a waist because that's my best feature.
4. It goes down below the knee because I don't like my knees but not too long because it gets in the way when I walk the dogs.
5. It's a nice color or pattern.

Which is why I don't have a lot of summer dresses!

Same. I don’t know why this is almost impossible to find.

https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/florrie-jersey-dress-ivory-pineapple-cluster/sty-j0849-ecr?code=S150&tc_ch=ps&tc_ve=goog&tc_so=pla&tc_me=cr&tc_ca=aw-drop-offer&tc_au=pla-293946777986&tc_cr=na&tc_campid=Shopping+-+Smart+-+Catch+All&tc_adgroupid=Catch+all&tc_kwid=PRODUCT_GROUP&tc_matchid=na&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn_DB59TO9wIVtd2GCh11vgvMEAQYASABEgL4BPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

If you order this, order a few colors. I have this and tried to order another and the fit was weird. Seems to vary by print!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm 42. My perfect summer dress is:

1. A light, 100% woven cotton, and NOT a knit jersey that get too hot, but mustn't be too see-through. If gauzy, it has to have a cotton lining at certain areas. Linings are often not cotton, so that reduced options.
2. It has cap sleeves or similar to protect my shoulders from the sun.
3. It has a waist because that's my best feature.
4. It goes down below the knee because I don't like my knees but not too long because it gets in the way when I walk the dogs.
5. It's a nice color or pattern.

Which is why I don't have a lot of summer dresses!

Same. I don’t know why this is almost impossible to find.

https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/florrie-jersey-dress-ivory-pineapple-cluster/sty-j0849-ecrcode=S150&tc_ch=ps&tc_ve=goog&tc_so=pla&tc_me=cr&tc_ca=aw-drop-offer&tc_au=pla-293946777986&tc_cr=na&tc_campid=Shopping+-+Smart+-+Catch+All&tc_adgroupid=Catch+all&tc_kwid=PRODUCT_GROUP&tc_matchid=na&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn_DB59TO9wIVtd2GCh11vgvMEAQYASABEgL4BPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

That is Jersey material

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Strictly with OP's criteria in mind (under $100, suited for errands and playground on summer day), I'd recommend this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CZ1HDYS/ref=twister_B0833N1388?_encoding=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

It's light and breathable without being a damn mu mu. I like the midi instead of maxi length. I also wear it with a regular bralette -- you can't tell from pics, but the straps are adjustable (buttons). I wear it on the shortest option so my bra is covered in the back. The straps are also thick, so bra straps covered. I like this dress a lot.

Nothing called a tent dress will ever be flattering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm 42. My perfect summer dress is:

1. A light, 100% woven cotton, and NOT a knit jersey that get too hot, but mustn't be too see-through. If gauzy, it has to have a cotton lining at certain areas. Linings are often not cotton, so that reduced options.
2. It has cap sleeves or similar to protect my shoulders from the sun.
3. It has a waist because that's my best feature.
4. It goes down below the knee because I don't like my knees but not too long because it gets in the way when I walk the dogs.
5. It's a nice color or pattern.

Which is why I don't have a lot of summer dresses!

Nap dresses are great for this (and their cotton knockoffs)

Can we stop with the nap dresses. They are EVERYWHERRRE. I also put them in the "trying to hard" side of casual when someone rolls up to the playground or a backyard party in one.

Oh please. Most of the dresses in this thread are oversized T shirts. I’d rather show a bit of effort than run around in what is the equivalent of my husband’s old T shirt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm 42. My perfect summer dress is:

1. A light, 100% woven cotton, and NOT a knit jersey that get too hot, but mustn't be too see-through. If gauzy, it has to have a cotton lining at certain areas. Linings are often not cotton, so that reduced options.
2. It has cap sleeves or similar to protect my shoulders from the sun.
3. It has a waist because that's my best feature.
4. It goes down below the knee because I don't like my knees but not too long because it gets in the way when I walk the dogs.
5. It's a nice color or pattern.

Which is why I don't have a lot of summer dresses!

Same. I don’t know why this is almost impossible to find.

https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/florrie-jersey-dress-ivory-pineapple-cluster/sty-j0849-ecrcode=S150&tc_ch=ps&tc_ve=goog&tc_so=pla&tc_me=cr&tc_ca=aw-drop-offer&tc_au=pla-293946777986&tc_cr=na&tc_campid=Shopping+-+Smart+-+Catch+All&tc_adgroupid=Catch+all&tc_kwid=PRODUCT_GROUP&tc_matchid=na&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn_DB59TO9wIVtd2GCh11vgvMEAQYASABEgL4BPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

That is Jersey material

No it isn’t it’s cotton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My thighs touch which is why I rarely wear dresses. Anyone else have a fix?

Based on this forum, I believe some people wear shorts under dresses to address this.

I've heard this too and am thinking I might try it out. I've already tried that stuff you rub on your thighs and it doesn't work for me, so although I'm hesitant about adding shorts since one reason I like dresses is to stay cool, I figure it's worth a try. Here's one brand I've seen recommended before on DCUM specifically to wear under dresses: https://undersummers.com/.

[Anonymous]

For the Short, 5'2", short-waisted, busty who doesn't want sleeveless ~ shop in person. Go down the racks looking at sleeve length. THEN, if it has an elastic waist, take out the elastic to give it no waist (or have a seamstress do it). More flattering if it has nothing on the bust - no pockets, ruffles, gathers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Zara has some cute ones

A fitted mock turtleneck? Have you ever spent August in DC?

[Anonymous]

I’m short (5’1”) and I never wear dresses because I feel SWALLOWED in them. So much fabric! And they’re never slimming on me. And my thighs get sweaty in summer.

[Anonymous]

I've just bought this one from J Crew Factory and will report back after I try it on. I'm 46 y/o, 5'7 and 130 lbs., hourglass with big boobs. I hope the strap is thick enough for bra - I can't go without a bra. I need defined waist, otherwise I look pregnant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm 42. My perfect summer dress is:

1. A light, 100% woven cotton, and NOT a knit jersey that get too hot, but mustn't be too see-through. If gauzy, it has to have a cotton lining at certain areas. Linings are often not cotton, so that reduced options.
2. It has cap sleeves or similar to protect my shoulders from the sun.
3. It has a waist because that's my best feature.
4. It goes down below the knee because I don't like my knees but not too long because it gets in the way when I walk the dogs.
5. It's a nice color or pattern.

Which is why I don't have a lot of summer dresses!

Same. I don’t know why this is almost impossible to find.

https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/florrie-jersey-dress-ivory-pineapple-cluster/sty-j0849-ecr?code=S150&tc_ch=ps&tc_ve=goog&tc_so=pla&tc_me=cr&tc_ca=aw-drop-offer&tc_au=pla-293946777986&tc_cr=na&tc_campid=Shopping+-+Smart+-+Catch+All&tc_adgroupid=Catch+all&tc_kwid=PRODUCT_GROUP&tc_matchid=na&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn_DB59TO9wIVtd2GCh11vgvMEAQYASABEgL4BPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

This is Jersey, which is specifically NOT what op wants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've just bought this one from J Crew Factory and will report back after I try it on. I'm 46 y/o, 5'7 and 130 lbs., hourglass with big boobs. I hope the strap is thick enough for bra - I can't go without a bra. I need defined waist, otherwise I look pregnant.

That would look terrible on me. Too much material. I also don’t like it with the sneakers. I wonder why retailers don’t try to style their products better? Sigh. That’s another thread!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've just bought this one from J Crew Factory and will report back after I try it on. I'm 46 y/o, 5'7 and 130 lbs., hourglass with big boobs. I hope the strap is thick enough for bra - I can't go without a bra. I need defined waist, otherwise I look pregnant.

That would look terrible on me. Too much material. I also don’t like it with the sneakers. I wonder why retailers don’t try to style their products better? Sigh. That’s another thread!

How tall are you? It doesn't look too puffy on the model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm 42. My perfect summer dress is:

1. A light, 100% woven cotton, and NOT a knit jersey that get too hot, but mustn't be too see-through. If gauzy, it has to have a cotton lining at certain areas. Linings are often not cotton, so that reduced options.
2. It has cap sleeves or similar to protect my shoulders from the sun.
3. It has a waist because that's my best feature.
4. It goes down below the knee because I don't like my knees but not too long because it gets in the way when I walk the dogs.
5. It's a nice color or pattern.

Which is why I don't have a lot of summer dresses!

Same. I don’t know why this is almost impossible to find.

https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/florrie-jersey-dress-ivory-pineapple-cluster/sty-j0849-ecr?code=S150&tc_ch=ps&tc_ve=goog&tc_so=pla&tc_me=cr&tc_ca=aw-drop-offer&tc_au=pla-293946777986&tc_cr=na&tc_campid=Shopping+-+Smart+-+Catch+All&tc_adgroupid=Catch+all&tc_kwid=PRODUCT_GROUP&tc_matchid=na&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn_DB59TO9wIVtd2GCh11vgvMEAQYASABEgL4BPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

This is Jersey, which is specifically NOT what op wants.

Read the description before jumping down someone’s throat. It’s 100% cotton. I have this dress in two prints and I can also attest… it is cotton.