Let's talk dresses!

Cute but too short for Italian churches (and the Vatican museums), and would also require a wrap for the shoulders. Remember: Italian churches and some other locations where clergy may be present require knees and shoulders to be covered.

Thanks..I do know that! Would probably wear on those days not going to museums. However, I have a couple of really nice extremely light weight sarongs that pack down to nothing. I have a friend that did wear short skirts and she said she would whip out a big scarf and wear it like a sarong. I felt I could actually do that with my sarong. I'll probably always have a scarf wrapped around my purse in case, too. I'll just be the scarf lady if we pass a museum I want to go to!

It may not be as short on Lulu as it is on the 5'11" model. And she can always carry a light cardigan to slip on when needed. Besides, some people visit Italy without setting foot in a church every day; church rules need not be the deciding factor in choosing one's wardrobe.

It is a cute dress, and will be fun to wear in Italy in the summer (cooler than capris and a tee). Bring sunscreen as it is expensive to purchase in Europe (although not so much now that the euro is down to $1.05).

Haha! I forgot about models having giraffe legs! I'm really short so it would probably hit me somewhere around the ankles. Just kidding...

The scarf solution would absolutely work, and you won't have been the first to do that!

Thanks. It says it's 35 inches and with my height, it should hit me about 2-3 inches above my knees. Actually, I really don't think it looks like a $138 dress, more a $50 or less....but I love the darker floral print for September, and that particular style looks good on me. I just bought a maxi dress at Kohls, on sale, that is the same style and love it. I love it even better because it was marked down to $18. I'm hesitant to keep this short one as it is so expensive for what it is..but it's a new style and if I don't snag it now it won't be around. I'm typically not a casual dress wearer, and this one that caught my eye. I normally wear shorts and skorts in the summer. At work I wear skirts, never dresses.

The European "style" is knee length. That's actually the sweet spot anyway - short enough to still look good with flats and long enough for churches.

I have found a lot of cute jersey dresses at Ross, believe it or not. It only happens every 4-5 visits though. Enough to sucker me into coming back.
If you want some cute dresses I'd suggest jersey dresses from Dress Barn. They carry petites, misses, and women's sizing. I've found that their dresses are almost indestructible and never wrinkle.
Other great places are Lands End and LL Bean. In fact Lulu, this dress is similar to the Zappos dress. Many of the dresses are modal so very cool in the summer. The LL Bean Fitness skirt is a solid little number for people that are more athletic. It pulls on over bike shorts and you can swim in it too.
All of the dresses above go for less than $60, so you're not scared to take them on vacation.
BTW, I prefer solids as I can change up the look very easily - scarf, necklace, belt, layering, etc.

HI Cindy,

We have severel Dress Barns and I was just in one the other day. All of the dresses out are still spring, not summer yet..meaning they are all a bit too heavy and polyester lined which would be too warm walking around all day in the sun..at least for me. However, I am looking for a dress for DS's graduation in May, so might just stop in and look around again.

Knee length skirts don't look very good on me unless I'm in heels. I'm 5'8" and my legs are "shorter" than my midriff, and things just don't look in proportion. The only time I can get away with it is in heels I think. All these horrible "problems"...LOL!

I am going to definitely check out LandsEnd and LLBean again....and in a few months go back to Dress Barn. I was at Macy's about a month ago and was running into the same problem...dresses are more for spring not summer, obviously. I'm just anxious and excited I suppose.

We don't have a Ross, I'll have to check if it's online. I'm taking mostly solids too. 2 skirts, most of my wardrobe is solids. I am trying to branch out more with patterns and thought it would be fun to have one in a dress. Thanks for chiming in!

for budget friendly dresses, check out Old Navy! Right now there are several styles that would be great travel dresses, and the price is right. Not sure if the styles we get here in the great white north are different then in the US of A, but might be worth a look online. Normally I don't shop there, but I was there with my 21 yr old daughter and bought 2 dresses!

First thing I noticed was "dry clean only" -- which for me means "not for my suitcase". But if you have better luck with gelato and such...

I think its super cute and fun for summer. Last summer when I was in Europe in July it was super hot and I lived in tanks and sun dresses. Of course, you already know the rule about churches so you can plan around that. I find dresses cooler than shorts and capris so I always bring a dress or two along. Plus, that dress you can easily wear with a cardigan or put legging underneath if needed.

It's made out of Rayon knit, not cotton. I will be curious as to the feel of it.

Cute dress. I would certainly wear it - and have a cardigan or scarf for cooler weather or for going in churches. I have also brought thin leggings with me to put under dresses if I need to go into a church with a dress code. On the model it's a bit short, as mentioned, but on most people who aren't 5'11 and extremely thin it will hang longer. In general, I think casual dresses like this are perfect for summer travel. They look nice, feel comfortable, pack small, can be worn with sweaters at night and sleeveless on hot days, and are super flexible. Put a sweater or t-shirt over it and you have a skirt. Cardigan and you have a more conservative look. Scarf and it looks different. Blazer and nicer flats or heels it's dressy (not necessary for travel but at home...). Denim jacket and booties or sandals and it's casual. Etc.

It is expensive, I'd bet some stores will have similar things cheaper and that you can try on. Macy's is good. Target, even has some nice things.

Thanks Mira..you've given me some great options to wear with this dress in other seasons.

I do like the idea of wearing leggings and a lightweight jacket or sweater with it in the fall. It will make it look different. I did like the colors, in that it does look summery...but are dark enought to wear in spring or fall by changing it around a bit. Plus, like you said, dressing it up to go out with heels would be great. i have some nude platforms that would look nice.

If it fits nicely, I think I will keep it even if it is expensive since it might be so versatile. You suggestions were great!

I can't tell you how bummed I am with the dress. It's too short! If the length were like the models I could live with it. But looking again at the model stats, it says she's only 5' 7". Well, I'm 5'8" and it looks probably an inch to an inch and a half shorter on me. Just too short for my age, especially a traveling dress. It's just as pretty and light and flowing as in the picture. I'm typically an 8 to 10 in my clothing. The medium says it fits 6 to 8. It does feel a teeny snug all around. I think I might just try the large. Maybe there will be an extra inch on that. If not, I will still be on my dress quest.

I love skirts & dresses . . . but usually wear pants & capris in Europe because of the shoes. What kind of shoes do you all wear with dresses/skirts? With all the cobblestone & stairs, I feel most supported & safe in a pair of Keen/Brooks tennis shoes. Plus, with ALL THE WALKING - I think that would be most comfortable. I'd love to know what type of shoes you all wear w/skirts/dresses. Are they comfortable for all day? Stable?

I prefer to pack a skort if it is really warm. Mine is just at the knee or a bit above; I have not had a problem in a church. I find I like to mix and match with tops and bottoms instead of a dress which might be less flexible.

I am going to Spain this fall, I may bring a light black skirt that matches all my tops. The weight of the clothing matters to me when I pack carryon only. Some clothing is very heavy. When packing for overseas I often compare weight of clothes when selecting what makes it in the suitcase.

With a casual skirt or dress you can wear basically any shoe. A hiking boot or big white sneaker would be a little strange, but beyond that anything goes. I wear ballet flats or toms, or flat boots if it's not hot, but something sturdier will also work fine. It totally depends on your feet, but I've never had a problem walking 10+ miles per day in a comfortable, flat, cushioned but not "sturdy" shoe.

http://www.zappos.com/merrell-dassie-mj-black?zlfid=191&ref=pd_zc1_g_t
http://www.zappos.com/teva-niyama-flat-brown
http://www.zappos.com/clarks-un-rosily-black
http://www.zappos.com/keen-rivington-cnx-criss-cross-black
http://www.fodors.com/news/fodors-approved-15-most-stylish-womens-shoes-for-travel-10294.html - anything on this list would work, although the boots aren't for summer ;)

There are a million shoes like this to try until you find one that works.

The large in my original dress at the top of this thread came in. It's really too roomy and lacks the cuteness on the model. The length is actually fine with this one. It's just a weird sizing. I always wear a size 8-10 which is typically a medium. This medium of 6-8 runs more like a 6. The large of 10-12 runs more like a 12. I think for the price, it's going to have to go back. If it were $50 or less, I would have it altered a little to make it more slimming....but at this price....no.

Went to Lands end, and the one I really wanted to order is gone in my size..figures. There is another I might consider. The quest continues.