Summer Dresses

Dear users, dear authors,
What kinds of summer dresses do you like? Do you enjoy sewing summer dresses?

Dear Josefa,

Taste in clothing tends to change over the years. Back in the day, I liked dresses that were figure-hugging, flowy, with a wide belt, and eye-catching in terms of color and pattern. Today, when it comes to summer dresses, functionality is more important to me. So, the fabric has to be breathable, and the color has to suit me. With my silver hair and tanned skin, I like bold colors, preferably with patterns too. They also have to be comfortable and well-cut—preferably fitted—so they don’t hang down like a sack.

But can you actually buy something like that? Not very often. It’s rare for a ready-to-wear garment to have all these desired qualities. Or maybe I just can’t find them because I don’t go shopping very often these days.

That’s where sewing my own clothes comes in. Of course, you have to find beautiful fabric in great colors, and then you can sew your own dresses. It’s not that hard. I’ve done it before. I’m wearing one of them right now. And I already have a pinned maxi dress lying behind me—it just needs to be sewn together. That one’s for evening garden parties; I think maxi dresses are really cool for those occasions.

When I think about the store-bought dresses in my closet, there’s always something to complain about. Most of the time, I don’t like the fabric because it isn’t breathable. What good is the prettiest pattern if you feel sweaty in it during the summer? So I tend to wear them only for special (short) occasions. Just being pretty isn’t enough.

Best regards, Ina

Ina, you’re absolutely right about summer dresses. Personally, I haven’t been a fan of dresses for years—I think I only have one skirt left in my closet; I’m better off with pants :-)

Best wishes, Inge

I’d have to have the perfect dress custom-made, since ready-made sewing patterns don’t fit me and I can’t design my own.

I usually wear pants and sometimes skirts.

I used to love wearing my little summer dresses. They’d all still fit me size-wise, but unfortunately, I don’t feel comfortable in a few of them anymore. More and more of them ended up hanging unworn in the closet all summer. I’ve now gone through them and kept a few.

Not too tight, loose-fitting, well above the knee, and made of comfortable fabric. I kept two dresses; the rest will be repurposed into gift bags.  

I haven't worn a dress in years.  Only my white dress is still hanging in the closet. 
I don't like this year's fashion.

Best, Gabi 

Yeah, I actually only wear pants too. But for those extremely hot days, I sewed myself a dress. I couldn’t find anything ready-made that fit anyway—I’m pretty curvy. So I picked out a nice piece of fabric and sewed myself a loose, flowy dress that still looks good. I only wear it at home, though—at most, to the trash can or the garage in the yard. I definitely feel more comfortable in pants when I’m out in public.

Actually, dresses are just wonderful in the summer because the air can circulate freely when you’re walking. Be brave and give it a try. You can always wear them at home first. You’ll see that they make you feel more “feminine.”

Best regards, Ina

Ina, that’s no use to me. Since I’m very crooked, trousers are the better choice for me. If you’re *one-sided* because you’re missing quite a few centimeters on one side, a dress just doesn’t look nice anymore; with trousers, I can conceal that well.

Best regards, Inge

In the summer, I prefer to wear maxi dresses or long skirts. They cover everything nicely yet are still breezy. Also, I have foot deformities and have to wear orthopedic shoes, which aren’t as noticeable with long dresses. (And I could imagine that if you’re “crooked,” you could hide that pretty well with a long skirt, especially if you’re as skilled at sewing as you are, Inge!)

Well, sure, that would work, but since I’m extremely wide ;-):-)—size 52/54—and have a butt (hollow back) where you’d need a packed lunch to walk all the way around me, I don’t like dresses; I think I look like an oversized wine barrel in them. For around the house, I sewed myself a jersey kaftan last year—I wear that when it’s really hot. Outside, I wear ankle-length culottes with a matching top. Okay, I’ve lost over 20 kilos in the last two years, but I’m still carrying way too much weight.

Best wishes, Inge

I love dresses—when I’m not out riding my bike! I used to sew them myself, and I’d really love to try it again. I also really like my self-sewn culottes and the tops I’ve made to go with them, but since they’re loose-fitting, they’re not very practical for shopping by bike. Another favorite piece of mine was the crocheted summer dress I made many years ago.