Yes, I love dresses, you can just put them on and you are dressed! But you do need the right one for your shape. Trinny and Suzanna were/are good on clothes styles for different shapes - will see if I've still got the relevant book.
I am v fussy about dresses. The strategy I have found works best is to order a few from M & S online, shapes etc based on T&S, after reading the reviews. These tell you potential problems, and whether you should order the 'right' size or a bigger (or smaller!) size - safest is to order both if in doubt.
As I like sleeves and calf-length it can take a while for me to find dresses I like, but can usually find two or three potentials.
When they arrive I try them on. I select one, and then return the others to my nearest M&S about 15 minutes drive away.
This does require an initial outlay, though you later claim it back.
Another strategy I have used is to find my 'colours' - I just did it out of a book - don't rely on you liking a colour, it may not suit you. I thought I hated sage green, but it looks good on me.
Then go round charity shops. Look at all the dresses in your size and colours, and try them on, even if they don't look hopeful on the hangar.
Or George at Asda, if you are not as fussy as I am about style. Same technique as for charity shops.