Are these dresses too "tennis" for a business meeting?

[Onlyrainbows]

I have a business meeting in a couple of weeks and given the weather I want to wear something as fresh as possible, ideally sleeveless.

Pondering this, and I think I find it easy because I can clasp my hands behind my back, one up over the shoulder and the other down, IYSWIM. Do you also struggle with bra fastening behind the back?

Sorry the string trick isn’t an option. It works for wetsuit zips but they’re very substantial!

it has pockets!

Also has pockets!

different fit

The best way to deal with back zips is zip up half way with one hand coming up the back, pull the hem of the dress down to maximise how far you can push the zip wards. Then reach your hand over your shoulder whilst pulling the neckline up. Once you get hold of it pull the dress down as you pull the zip up.

*upwards

Hobbs / Reiss / Whistles would be too formal (I like them though don't get me wrong). I'd prefer Ted Baker. I work in software btw

You just reach behind you and zip/unzip.

I’ve never heard of anyone not being able to do this. I find the idea fascinating.

Bit more expensive than M&S but loads of options there.

www.hobbs.com/workwear/clothing/dresses/#

There is no way I'd wear a short, white (potentially see through) sporty dress for a meeting. Unless I was a tennis player maybe .

All way too short IMO!

The HOBBS ones are definitely over kill

Too short!

Didn't see your PP before I posted.

It is a bit tricky at the moment I agree, I was in Zara yesterday, nothing! Was in Mango a week or so ago and Zara (sale time) and not a lot there either, even the non sales items.

I've seen people where I work in London (on streets etc) in nice summer work appropriate dresses but they must be not recent.

Understandable, but I think you'd be overcorrecting if you wear a tennis dress to your next business meeting.

Are these tennis dresses "too tennis"? They could not be any more tennis. I don't like maxi dresses either, but there's not a business meeting around that you'd be alright to turn up in a tennis outfit, unless it was a meeting about you being a tennis coach and you needed to play a game of tennis while you were there.

There's loads of midi dresses and wide legged jumpsuits about, even a pair of tailored shorts can be appropriate if the right length. With work wear it's not a bad idea to emulate the women highter up than you if there are any, with your own twist, to help you pitch it right.

My boss wears t-shirts and jeans :/

How tall are you OP? I am 5ft2 and can manage most maxi dresses in platform sandals

Wrap dress?

https://www.freemans.com/products/s-oliver-wrap-printed-beach-dress//A-68610920016?utmsource=GoogleProductList&utmmmedium=PLA&utmcampaign=WomenssDressesCasualDresses&utmmcontent=68610920&nscampaign=WomenssDressesCasualDresses&nssmchannel=PLA&nssource=GoogleProductList&nsslinkname=68610920&nsfee=0&utmmmedium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiLeam96--QIVz-3tCh3FKgWFEAQYBSABEgL2RPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'm 5ft3 with short legs (and wide feet but boney, not fat) so I can't wear sandals

Or do you just prefer mini dresses? It's just that there are so many lovely maxi dresses around at the moment.

I agree the Hobbs workwear dresses are so formal. I haven't seen a woman wear dresses like these in years (maybe to an interview)

www.weirdfish.co.uk/p/women/dresses/i/tallahassee-organic-cotton-printed-jersey-dress-soft-green-19127

www.weirdfish.co.uk/p/women/dresses/i/olli-organic-cotton-striped-dress-light-cream-19366

www.weirdfish.co.uk/p/women/dresses/i/tallahassee-organic-cotton-printed-day-dress-cool-mist-19127

That's my style and I'd happily wear either of me. The white one currently doesn't fit, otherwise I'd wear it.

This might be helpful, heaps of ideas. I'd go for a pair of tailored shorts, a sharp white tshirt, some decent white trainers, I don't know what you're into but Stan Smith style, and some mid sized hoop earrings.

If you wore something that short at my workplace you’d get sent home. In fact they wouldn’t have hired you in the first place if you attended the interview in a dress that length. You probably need to look again at what is appropriate work attire.

I wish I had photos of that convention!! Genuinely it's the most relaxed place ever.

This is hilarious. 😂

Where do you work that sends people home if they don’t like what you’re wearing? And who is ‘they’? Is there a clothing prefect at the door? With a ruler to measure the length of people’s dresses?

You can be relaxed, absolutely, and business wear is totally not what it was twenty thirty years ago, for sure, certainly in your sector. I definitely think there's a middle ground and you can look relaxed, and stylish at the same time.

Don't flash your bum in a tennis dress, still a good rule to follow 😊

However casual and relaxed it is, you’ll look a bit mad if you turn up in a literal tennis dress. 😂

Lots of lovely options provided, though. Anything caught your eye?