Short, natural fabric tank dresses that don’t fit close to the neck?
June 26, 2023 1:07 PM

I like to wear short tank dresses around the house in summer, and prefer them to be close to 100% cotton (or hemp, or linen - any breathable natural fabric). I can deal with a small percentage of polyester or spandex or similar if need be. I like some modal and not other modal and I’m not sure why.

I can’t stand clothing that comes up high on my neck, or even close (and no, “can’t stand” is not an exaggeration at all. It’s harder to deal with than pain). Most cotton tank dresses I’m finding online come up too high for me - I prefer them to hit well below my collarbone, preferably right at the top of my breasts. Does anyone know anything available online that fits the bill (and ships to Canada)?
posted by wheatlets to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (15 answers total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
Would lightweight wool work (it's reversible, so you'd need to wear the lower side in front)? Here's a cute cotton option from Toad & Co and this one has a bunch of colors and is half hemp/half cotton. This Old Navy one is 96% cotton.
posted by mcgsa at 1:56 PM on June 26, 2023


Not to threadsit, as that is unfortunately discouraged (how I would love to be able to ask questions and respond to every answer!) but I should add some details - both of those look very nice for out of the house wear, but are a little too structured looking for at home comfort. I’m looking for something very soft that just hangs, essentially I am trying to cover myself while feeling like I’m not wearing clothes. Seamless and tagless is a plus too, but not 100% necessary.

Edit: sorry, I somehow missed the middle two! Those look much better for home. Still though, should keep these details in.
posted by wheatlets at 2:08 PM on June 26, 2023


You can get a tailor to lower necklines.
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 2:11 PM on June 26, 2023


The Gap has a few: One Two Three Four
posted by hydra77 at 2:15 PM on June 26, 2023


Probably not for you, but I'll throw it out there since I have the similar requirements for a cool summertime around-the-house dress. This one is from Eastern Mountain Sports. The neck is more bateau than it looks in the picture. The synthetic fabric is probably a dealbreaker, but to me it feels totally silky and breezy, not sweat inducing. One of its features is a soft, light lining in the chest so you can go without a bra. So comfortable. I have several.
posted by Elsie at 2:19 PM on June 26, 2023


This is the simplest thing in the world for someone who sews - maybe most of an afternoon. You could go pick out exactly the fabric you want, and pay someone to sew it for you, for less than a big brand name version.
posted by mmiddle at 2:26 PM on June 26, 2023


Pact has super comfortable clothing in natural materials. Might be too tight for your preference but have a look!
posted by lydhre at 3:07 PM on June 26, 2023


I get sleeveless "sleep dresses" (that's the search term) from Amazon because I like to wear exactly the kind of dress you describe at home -- I have gotten low-cut cotton and modal versions. Like something like this.
posted by virve at 3:57 PM on June 26, 2023




I wear some of the less obviously Ren Faire-ish dresses from g all the time in the summer. They’re low-cut enough that I sometimes wear tees under them in certain settings. Very lightweight, all plant-based fibers, lots of great colors and they hold up surprisingly well to washing. They don’t have a lot of super short dresses, but their handkerchief hem dresses fit the bill for me.
posted by Well I never at 6:11 PM on June 26, 2023


White cotton tank dresses from Dharma Trading Company. (They do ship to Canada.)
posted by metonym at 7:01 PM on June 26, 2023


Very low cut short cotton tank dresses used to be American Apparel's specialty...and it looks like you can still get them!

J Crew has a similar one that looks even shorter than American Apparel's.
posted by luzdeluna at 6:30 AM on June 27, 2023


ASOS is my go-to for this kind of thing.
posted by guessthis at 7:31 AM on June 27, 2023


I don't have Canada-specific recs, but have you tried searching for nightgowns? They often come in 100% cotton and this silhouette, and a variety of colors / fabric weaves / lengths. Many look like casual dresses.
posted by momus_window at 9:09 AM on June 27, 2023


This is exactly my wardrobe! Unfortunately these are from Amazon, but they seem to fit the bill (assuming by "short" you just mean, like, not-maxi). Do check the material for whichever color/print you choose; sometimes some of them are cotton and other prints are polyester. I have more than one of each of those and they are comfy!

HUHOT sleeveless v-neck with pockets

Herou sleeveless scoop neck a-line
posted by librarina at 12:55 PM on June 27, 2023


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