Maxi dress for beach party

[theDudesmummy]

Hi, I have seen a few possibles but wondered if anyone had any ideas, for a dress for a big occasion.

It is for my 50th birthday party, which is going to be a big party on a beach in a hot country. I want something maxi and rather swirly, and really colourful and stand-outy (florals or patterns would be good), but it must have short sleeves and NOT be sleeveless (sleeveless look not great with these 50 year old upper arms). I am a size 12-14 (hoping very much a solid 12 by the time of the party, I have two months to get there!). Short with big boobs, will be wearing it with flat shoes.

Anyone got any ideas?

[frenchfancy]

These any good?

red floral

well you wanted sleeves!

coral

[theDudesmummy]

Hi there, thanks for the reply. I don't seem to be able to access those pictures, can you send them in a different format (have tried through both Explorer and Firefox).

[kelda]

I am a similar size and much prefer to wear a long, floaty skirt with a fitted t-shirt type top.

[theDudesmummy]

The beach is going to be really really hot and I feel like a nice swirly dress would be better (also fitted tops show little tummy rolls/bra rolls and I want to avoid that).

[frenchfancy]

The links are to the debenhams website. First one is a red herring, the second an ossie clark and the third hotsquash (which apparently has some fabic that keeps you cool when it is really hot).

[theDudesmummy]

Ok thanks so much.
The only red herring red floral I could see there was sleeveless so although it is beautiful it won't be right for me.
The ossie clark is lovely but I am not very keen on blue, am a red/oange/purple sort of person usually.
Hotsquash: too tight around the middle for me.
I will keep looking but the Ossie Clark may still be the one! Thanks so much.