Frock Challenge! I want something exactly like this, but different.

[DilysPrice]

I've been hankering after this dress from John Lewis as a summer work outfit. It looked flattering to my fat arse pear shape womanly curves, long enough for decency on a 40 something professional woman with bare legs, with sleeves (vg) and with a pattern that was attractively quirky without frightening the horses (v. straight-laced office).

Have just tried it on. It fits perfectly, and I almost love it, but the colour isn't that flattering on my sallow skin, and I'm not sure the silk would stand up to regular machine washing (even on delicates cycle), and I suspect I can do better for 80 quid.

Or rather, I suspect that the crack troops of the S&B Google Brigade can do better.

So, pretty please, could anyone find me a dress that is exactly like the JL one, except not silk, not cream (preferably blue or green background but anything with a bit more oomph to it gratefully considered), and,for preference, not 80 quid. Needs to be try-on-able at an actual shop in London, because its all about the perfect fit.
Higher necks or longer sleeves than the one in my example would also be good.

[MrsLettuce]

maybe?

[DilysPrice]

Nice shape thank you Mrs L, but I have no idea how they think that classifies as "vibrant and eye-popping", surely no navy dress can ever qualify as such? I might track it down though to see how long it is, because it might well be a handy thing to wear to work with my collection of staggeringly dull tailored navy jackets.

[MrsLettuce]

It is far from vibrant and eye-popping, yes

'tis that specific shape, it's hard to find. Loads of great prints about otherwise. I saw an animal print one but ruled it out as too, erm, something. will link, hang on.

[MrsLettuce]

here

butterflies? Still a bit dull

[lurkingaround]

I kinda like this this one. I haven't bought it yet but am hankering. In the red print. I would like it mainly for work. I'm also a saddle-bagged pear, and I have been looking at this for a while. Good length, sleeves, covers all practicalities. I think it would wash well! No need to iron, and while it doesn't have a quirky print, I still like it.

[lurkingaround]

I like that navy one MrsL.

V annoying that they don't have the length on the details.

[DilysPrice]

Yes I do wish they'd either specify the length or say "dress is shown on size 10 6'2" model" to give you an idea. I rather fancy the Warehouse animal print frock but I just know it's going to be really short.

[MrsLettuce]

on a model. how tall are you, it might be alright.

[MrsLettuce]

Having resorted to Laura Ashely, I now give up! Maybe try TKmaxx?

[DilysPrice]

I feel the need to share with you the collection of shockers I found on offer at Dickins & Jones. In theory they should be the right demographic - but they're absolutely hideous - or possibly just styled really badly on the models.

The Oasis selection OTOH are lovely, if only they were four inches longer and had sleeves.

[lurkingaround]

Totally agree. I've tried on many of those Oasis dresses. I'm not that tall, 5ft 6ins or so but they are all too flipping short. I just need to the knee. Isn't this what most of us need for daytime?? We should remind Oasis and the like that we are not all 22.

[Brandnewbrighttomorrow]

lurkingaround love the pepito dress print, like it in the lotte style with the shorter sleeves.

Also saw this not printed but love the draping. Wandering off brief now but thought this was rather elegant.

Back to prints I saw this and I love the colours in this

Love looking at dresses! (obviously!)

[mirpuppet]

I say go for the John Lewis one -- it is 100% silk most of the cheaper options are viscose or polyester.

[DinahMoHum]

id get it and try and get a tan or a hair colour for the summer

[BellaOfTheBalls]

Great Plains, Crew Clothing & White Stuff have some gorgeous dresses in!

[FauxFox]

bright print
floral
graphic
blue

[DilysPrice]

Ooh, that blue Biba one is lovely, just my shape and they gain many extra brownie points for saying "model's height 5'9" " - which is 5 inches taller than me so it should be on the long side if anything. Will check out ASAP.

[FairPhyllis]

Don't know if the sleeves on these will be long enough for you:

Oliver Bonas orange blossom
Robin print

Has the length but not the sleeves
Not much of a pattern

Soft pink

Unusual blue spots

Blurred spot

Great Plains

[freerangeeggs]

I've never done this before myself so it might not be feasible, but - why not buy it, then take it to a seamstress who can copy the pattern and make it for you in various other colours?

It does look like a really wearable shape.

[DilysPrice]

Thanks FairPhyllis. The Anna Field dresses look great, but I CBA with ordering online/trying on/queuing up at Post Office to return. I might drop by Wallis though - they seem to have some promising looking stuff v. cheap in the sale,
I love the print on the Great Plains one you linked to but the colour would do nothing for me, and I think it would be too short, unless the model was a giraffe (possible). However, it led me to this - what do people reckon?

I had been thinking along the same lines freerangeeggs; there are some fabulous fabrics out there, my sewing machine and I really need to branch out beyond curtains.

[lurkingaround]

Really like it.

Great shape, good length, nice price. Get them both- red and navy.

[FairPhyllis]

I agree - really nice shape, and if you like the colour I would go for it. Great Plains is pretty good for having dresses that are a decent length. It is tough to find sleeves AND a good length at the moment.

Wallis is not somewhere I would automatically think of to shop in, but I was quite impressed with what I saw online. Dorothy Perkins seems to have stepped up their game recently too, but they have very little with sleeves at the moment.

[DilysPrice]

In case anyone wondered, I happened to be in a dept store which had the Great Plains dress I linked in my previous post. They only had one of them but the size was fine, so I snapped it up, and I think it will be very handy for work days when I CBA to think about putting an "outfit" together, and can just sling it on.

The Wallis dresses they had in stock on the other hand all looked a bit cheap and nasty in the flesh apart from this one which I was slightly tempted by but put off by absence of sleeves and slight "girlieness" of neckline. But a v good length, and probably someone's dream dress.

[MrsLettuce]

Oooh, do like an update! Thanks. Glad to hear you fond something you like.