The best cotton summer dresses for over 50s

Check out our favourite cotton summer dresses, available to buy ready for the summer months.

woman in cotton summer dress

by Emily Gilbert |
Updated on

Whatever your shape or size, there’s a cotton summer dress for you this season. Hide full hips and trim your waist with fit and flare styles, or skim over bumpy silhouettes with a classic shift dress. When it comes to selecting flattering dresses for mature women, we've put together everything you need to know about the best cotton summer dresses for over 50s.

It can be hard to find summer dresses with sleeves, but if you prefer to cover your arms, then there are lots of lovely lightweight cardigans and cover-ups available in the shops. For an easy daytime look, throw on a simple shirt dress. Alternatively, flatter your figure with a dress that is wrapped or ruched in style, which is ideal for a day at the races or another special occasion.

When it comes to special occasion dresses for older ladies, wrap dresses and v-necklines can be flattering for most body shapes. They cleverly lengthen the upper body, make you look taller and can help draw the eye upwards. If you’re a classic pear with a smaller bust, then look for ruffled necklines to balance out your proportions.

The best cotton summer dress at a glance:

Most popular cotton summer dress: Chapelle Jersey Dress - View offer on Seasalt Cornwall
Our favourite cotton summer dress: White Cotton Midi Shirt Dress - View offer on Nobody's Child
• Best cotton summer dress for value: Cotton Jersey 'Minogue' Mini Dress With Pockets - View offer on Wallis

However, regardless of the occasion, whether it's an everyday dress or a dress for a wedding abroad, we've included the best summer dresses in cooling cotton, so that you can find your perfect dress for the summer. Here are some of our favourites from trusted brands such as Marks & Spencer, Seasalt Cornwall and more.

The best cotton summer dresses to buy

Most popular summer cotton dress

Chapelle Jersey DressSeasalt Cornwall

Description

Made from 100 per cent soft organic cotton, the Chapelle Jersey Dress features unique and

Our favourite cotton summer dress

White Cotton Midi Shirt DressNobody's Child

Description

Cut from organic dobby cotton with whimsical tiers, ladder lace and billowy puff sleeves, this

Best cotton summer dress for value

Cotton Jersey 'Minogue' Mini Dress With PocketsWallis
Price: £22.40 (was £28)

www.wallis.co.uk

Description

A fantastic choice for value, this Cotton Jersey 'Minogue' Mini Dress With Pockets from Wallis is

Best floral cotton summer dress

Floral Midi DressJohn Lewis
Price: £32 (was £65)

www.johnlewis.com

Description

If floral prints are your thing, this stunning Floral Midi Dress from John Lewis is sure to

Best cotton summer dress on sale

On-Trend Jersey Tiered Maxi DressCotton Traders
Price: £29 (was £39)

www.cottontraders.com

Description

As you can imagine, there are plenty of cotton options at Cotton Traders, but we love their

Best gingham cotton summer dress

Pure Cotton Checked V-Neck Midaxi DressMarks and Spencer

Description

If you're looking for a pretty gingham dress for summer, this Pure Cotton Printed V-Neck Midaxi

Best denim style cotton summer dress

Bernie Cotton Jersey DressJohn Lewis

Description

Want to wear a trendy denim dress without the stiff fabric? This soft breathable cotton dress in a

Best smock-style cotton summer dress

Tammy Cotton Jersey DressWhite Stuff

Description

The easy-to-wear Tammy Cotton Jersey Dress is just what you need for summer months. With seven

Best classic summer cotton dress

Pier View Jersey DressSeasalt Cornwall

Description

Whether it's polka dots or florals, the Pier View Jersey Dress from Seasalt Cornwall is the ideal

Best bohemian cotton summer dress

Tabitha Crinkle Cotton DressJoe Browns

Description

If you're a fan of bohemian fashion, then Joe Browns is the place for you. Their Tabitha Crinkle

FAQs

Why should I choose a cotton dress for summer?

Cotton is a comfortable and breathable fabric to wear, so it's particularly good for warmer months. The fact that it's a soft and hypoallergenic material makes it kind against the skin. Its fibres allow the air to circulate through the fabric, and it also has moisture-wicking qualities, making it a great choice for the summer.

Where can I buy the best cotton summer dresses?

We've put together a list of some British fashion brands that you can trust when it comes to stylish cotton dresses, especially dresses for mature ladies. At Yours, our favourites for cotton summer options include M&S dresses, as well as Cotton Traders and Seasalt to name a few.

And if you're looking for flattering cocktail dresses for over 50s, then you may just be in luck, as a few of these brands also do occasionwear too. The likes of Boden and Joules stock high-quality cotton dresses fit for any formal occasion.

Whether you're after the best dresses to wear at the races or you're simply after an everyday cotton summer dress, these brands cover it all. Why not take a look below to find out more?

Description

In recent years, Marks and Spencer has reviewed and relaunched its clothing brands in a bid to

Description

Distinctly Cornish and with a seaside vibe, the Yours team love this brand’s quirky style and

13. Boden

Description

If you’re a fan of vibrant colours and pretty patterns in complimentary cuts, look no further than

14. Joules

Description

You’ve no doubt heard of Joules, but the brand is far more than a good place to buy stylish and

Description

Nobody's Child has a capsule collection of affordable day dresses and the occasional formalwear

Description

Wardrobe essentials come in the shape of organic cotton tops, jumpsuits and V-neck dresses from

Description

Cotton Traders' story goes all the way back to the 70s… so, it's safe to say, they know their

Description

WoolOvers began life selling natural knitwear at country shows across the UK. Today the brand has

Emily Gilbert is a Features and Review Editor for Mother&Baby and Yours and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new product releases.

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