Which 2 out of these 3 day dresses?

[sethstarkaddersmum]

Please would people with some kind of fashion sense be kind enough to advise me?

I can afford 2 out of these 3 dresses.
Am 38 yo SAHM and have decided I like wearing dresses either over jeans/leggings or with boots.

I have a very hourglassy figure, ok legs, but also ginormously wide shoulders (so I tend to find square necks work well and anything with slightly fancy shoulders is out).

Hobbs
East
Phase Eight

the Phase Eight is the prettiest but is also not machine washable; I could cope with handwashing but it is not ideal. I have small dcs so get a lot of snot etc on me....
Are wrap dresses/Hobbs too officey? Also as wrap dresses are everywhere at the moment will it look very dated in a year or two?
is the East one too peasanty?

any opinions?
thanks!

[SlowComfortableShrew]

the phase eight one is nicest and you could probably wash it on a hand wash setting on your washing machine

[TotorosOcarnina]

I love the last one, can I borrow it sometime please

[dexter73]

I have that Phase Eight dress in a different colour and it is fine to wash in the machine. It is a very flattering dress.
I would also get the Hobbs dress.
Not keen on the East dress.

[geordieminx]

phase 8 one looks quite long?

[brimfull]

imo only the middle one is gonna look ok with leggings or jeans
other two only with tights imo

[SoNotWorthIt]

I wouldn't wear any of them with leggings. Only tights.

The East one is my least favorite.

[sue52]

I have the phase 8 dress and have washed it many times in the machine with no shrinking or colour fade. The East one looks a bit shapeless. Wrap dresses have been around for a while but are so flattering I think they'll stay around for a bit longer.

[notyummy]

Hmm. The only one I can see with jeans/leggings is the East one - but that is the one I like the least. The Phase 8 one is nice, but I think one of the other ladies from the Wise and Avid thread got it and found it too long - but she is petite, so it may work for you. Seems to get good press from Dexter!

[sethstarkaddersmum]

brilliant, thank you.
I will get the Phase Eight one then. Immediately.

not being able to wear them with leggings - is this just because they are too long or is there another reason?
I get that the Phase 8 one wouldn't really work with leggings or jeans because of the style but I am sure I have seen people in wrap dresses with jeans - did they in fact look terrible?!

[sethstarkaddersmum]

I am a good sewer so if something is too long I have the skills to take it up (as much as is possible without it affecting the line).

[dexter73]

The P8 one is below the knee and I wear it with tights not leggings. I am 5'7".
I guess it depends on what jeans you are wearing underneath. Are they skinny? That is the only style that could work with a dress over (I think!).

[tartiflette]

I had the Phase Eight one during pregnancy last year (my mum bought it me in a BIG size thinking it would be useful and it stretched over my twin bump right to the bitter end) - it was my absolute favourite thing and I miss it now! It's too long for leggings though, unless you are super tall.
Anyway just to say I always bunged it in the machine and it was absolutely fine.

[sethstarkaddersmum]

I swear on my childrens' life that if the Phase 8 dress hasn't sold out I will never ever wear it with leggings.

am only 5'3.

I have jeans in all shapes.

[NinkyNonker]

Hobbs and Phase 8 from me. Really like them.

[sethstarkaddersmum]

excellent, have ordered the Hobbs one and the Phase 8 one. The East one was the only one that wasn't reduced, anyway, so if I still like it I can get it cheaper in a few months....

thanks for all the advice.

[TheFallenMadonna]

How generous are Phase Eight around the bust? I am very generous...

[dexter73]

Phase Eight are quite generous. I order a size down from them.

[TheFallenMadonna]

Oooh.

And I'm liking the idea that it's quite long (am generous in that direction too...)

[sethstarkaddersmum]

assuming their stock control is right I am afraid I have just swiped the last size 12 - there are only 8s and 18s left

(mind you I am not counting my chickens - will not be too surprised if I get an email saying 'oh actually we haven't got any left after all')

[TheFallenMadonna]

Have found one in my size on another site - and don't need a 12, sadly

[ElectricSoftParade]

Hello all, just had an amazing result in the charity shop this morning!

I had looked at the Phase Eight dress and decided I couldn't justify buying it . Was having a browse around the charity shop and I saw it! £7.00. tags still on and in my size!!

Nothing else to add but am thrilled!!

[EatingAngelPie]

wow,

its sold out from House of fraser too.

[sethstarkaddersmum]

Yessssss!
That is brilliant

Have you tried it on yet?

it's funny about length isn't it - the Phase 8 dress description says it is above the knee. You would have to have bloody long thighbones for that to be above the knee, I would think.

I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of mine but I don't quite believe online purchases are real till they actually come - have shopped at Boden too many times for that....

Glad you found one TFM.

[ElectricSoftParade]

I know what you mean about the length - feels a little too long but am still happy! I'm 5ft 8" and it is below the knee on me. Will just need to wear it with heels I suppose (feels another little shop coming on...)

[sparklyjewlz]

I'm probably coming in too late but i really think the Hobbs dress would be flattering to an hourglass figure.