What to wear to the office in this heat - a smart maxi dress?

[Stressedout65]

I'd like to start off by saying that I'm very overweight, but working on it. My fat ankles & feet get quite swollen in the heat so I cannot show them off to the world.
I love wearing maxi dresses & lace up pumps as they're so comfortable. Our office is smart casual, pretty informal but not scruffy, with a dress down Friday. Would you wear a maxi dress to work? I'm worried about appearing too beachy or looking like I'm ready for a night out or going to be a bridesmaid. I have found a couple of dresses that are a cross between the two, so maybe I could get away with them?
Last summer we did have a middle aged lady working for us who would wear shoulderless tops which made her look like she was ready to hit the clubs & no one said anything! She was good at her job & respected though. I am too, but just obese & don't know what to wear

Also, so many of the dresses seem to be bright florals which make me feel & look even bigger. I'm worried I'll look grotesque

I'm struggling with having very pale let's that are stubbly by lunchtime even with the closest of shaves (waxing lasts 6 days tops so not worth it). I'm going for maxi skirts with a shirt/smart blouse

I think a maxi dress would be fine to wear. Alternatively could you get a dark coloured maxi skirt and wear a nice top?

Either way I wouldn't worry, I think everyone dresses a little different when it's hot.

Maxi dresses can look smart, I work in a very corporate office and maxis are not a problem.
Have a look at the column dresses on Next, I’ve got a black one and it’s really flattering and looks nice with ballet pumps.
www.next.co.uk/style/st701904/937039#937039

I have a couple of these in different prints - with smart sandals they work well for the office provided it's not a day with particularly formal meetings.

maxi-length skirt and top can work too, if the style suits you.

I go with maxi length shirt dress - and am on the bigger side. Got one in plain black off asos recently

Placemarking because I fancy some less flamboyant midaxis for the office. There are a lot in nice professional shapes but the prints are often a bit loud.

i think so. I wear maxi dresses and flats to work all the time. Senior job in corporate. Plain colours not flowery. Elegant jewellery like pearls. not chunky beachy stuff. I’m tall and fat and think they are the most elegant option for me that is also comfortable

I do but nobody minds what I wear as long as it's respectable- public do come in. In winter I wear jeans a lot because my office is cold, thankfully it's like a cave, constant cool temperatures all year but I wore a maxi dress today

Colour and print are more of a deal-breaker than style. Loud floral patterns are a world away from quiet solids, and the latter are perfect for maxi dresses in the office.

A few people in my office are wearing maxi/midi styles although I’m in Scotland where it’s much cooler.

@mrsmalcolmreynolds - Hush Kensington’s are pretty much my uniform in the summer. I wear a different print everyday, and they get so many compliments.
I actually came on to recommend them. I know some people are anti-viscose, but I found them incredibly light and cool.
Am currently stalking the print in that photograph.

The Hush ones are gorgeous! Great tip, thank you.

@NorthFaceofthelaundrypile I know! I'm a bit addicted to Hush in general and the Kensington in particular - don't have that print and am spending a ridiculous amount of time looking at it and then telling myself that I really don't need another one at all ...

I am overweight but want to wear maxi and midiaxi dresses. I found a website called Yours plus size clothing 14-24 and have bought quite a few. Cool loose and smart.

Is your worry about your body image or your office style? If someone can come in shoulderless, you'll be fine!

Maxi dress with a big sleeve is practically uniform both in and out of work, white trainers optional wherever I go. When it's hot everyone gets more casual anyway.

Just avoid the high round necks that seem to be everywhere, they do nothing for anyone unless you are a size 6.

Ooh love this, where is it from?

The dress in the pic is from Hush. Search for Kensington dress.

www.johnlewis.com/hush-kensingston-floral-print-asymmetric-maxi-dress-teal-coral/p6049953

Hush ok if you're under a size 18!

I am a 22-24 and have a lot of M&S shirt or tea dresses. They are cool, fairly long (admittedly I'm 5'2") and really flattering.

Thanks lovely. Sold out in 14 :( I will look for it on ebay x

Sorry sent too soon..I'm NHS and mostly working from home, but go into the office about once a week for meetings. I've noticed that the office has become much more informal and people are more casually dressed. However, the dresses I've found are all good for a more formal environment.

I’ve been looking at and buying some long frocks. I’m heavier than I’d like to be (size 18 and 5 foot 6) and carrying post-menopausal weight all at the front. What I’ve been concentrating on are small patterns to distract the eye (much more forgiving than solid colours), elbow-length sleeves and empire-sort-of shapes. Found quite a few on sites like H&M, Matalan, Dorothy Perkins and Studio for under 20 quid. I was surprised there was so much choice. I think what makes things worse in the heat are high necklines and constricting undies. If only it was OK to go bra-less at work!

Would be totally fine in any office I’ve worked in.