Dresses, sizing and good old Ebay

I want to wear a dress.  I never "do" dresses but its finally got to me I want to wear one on a daily basis in this weather.  Ive searched and searched for what I would like to wear but can I find one which I like .... in a word .... NO.  I don't understand why shops seem to think that everyone wants to wear something just covering their bum.  I see lovely dresses but way way too short, but then the longer dresses look so frumpy. Just because we aren't young doesn't mean we want to look awful.  You would think designers would  have got the message by now.  All I want is one that is soft lands just below my knees and has 3/4 sleeves.and low low neck so that my boobs hang out .. now how simple is that!  Oh and inexpensive hehehehehehehe.  One day eh one day, or maybe I will have to make my own. 

On re-reading this post I'm actually annoyed that shops don't cater properly for women.  For a start they cant get the sizing right and they automatically think if you are over a certain age you want a certain style.  I actually really really love a dress in New Look but its so short,  it would look great over jeans I am sure but that's not what I want.  I looked at good old British Marks and Spencer online and omg the knee look dresses are absolutely awful.  Where has it all gone wrong they are fuddy duddy and their buyers seem to be out of touch, I noticed from peoples reviews even the older ladies thought the styles not good enough quality or design.  Unfortunately I really don't have much spare cash and that's something else these stores seem to think about.  Sadly in this day and age not everyone has the most wonderful job, if they have one at all, and they certainly don't have money to spend on high end stuff or want to waste on tat from some of the lower end stuff.  I try to customise wherever possible anyway but I really like to try on before I buy and where live we haven't really any good shops at all.  Ive tried on Ebay but the sizing is almost always wrong and I end up making dresses into tops, and I don't always make a good job if it lol.  I just wish there was an answer.  I think basically I should sell all of my clothes that look awful on me and spend the money on just one perfect item ... that is if anyone wants to buy what Ive got so Ebay here we come.