Are dresses the way forward?

[Conundrumish]

I don't enjoy buying clothes that much. I buy separates I like, but can never seem to find the top to go with the bottom and vice versa.

I have had a revelation today that dresses are the way forward. Cheaper than separates, easy to wear etc.

Does anyone have anything they would recommend for everyday school run type stuff. I am 5'8" size 12-14 but with broad shoulders, so sometimes size 16, flat chested! I suit brightish colours - I have brown hair and grey blue eyes.

I would also have a look at The White Company for dresses that are very easy to wear, often in good quality jersey fabric. They can be a bit plain, but I find them very good as basics to be dressed with scarfs, blazers etc.

I bought this today and really like it. Looked a bit meh on the hanger but is very flattering and will be easy to sling on of a morning.

I wear a lot of dresses and much prefer them.

I recently got this dress: www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33053&storeId=12552&productId=2601640&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=212426&parent_categoryId=208648&pageSize=20

and have had so many compliments on it since buying it. I am tempted to get it in another colour!

Sorry - meant this one; www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33053&storeId=12552&productId=2655864&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=212426&parent_categoryId=208648&pageSize=20

I love a dress, but they suit my figure.

I think broad shoulders always look good dans la frock

You may be right cyb - I have broad shoulders and dresses really suit me. I had never thought of that before!

Has anyone seen the new dresses in Sainsburys, designed by Gok? They are some pretty nice ones, good for work. Lots of panelling and pulling in in all the right places.

But why is it so hard to find a knee length dress that actually goes to the knee?

I agree! I'm 5ft 9 and so many dresses are just far too short on me. I don't even think I'm that tall...

I'm 5'4" and the overwhelming majority of dresses stop above my knees. Which I don't think are abnormally far down my legs.

i'm rarely out of a dress!! LOVE them!!

Joules, Boden, Monsoon, Zara, French Connection, Asda, Oasis, Phase Eight, Coast are places where I've bagged some favourites!

I decided earlier this year that I'd only wear dresses as they are so much more flattering on my size 16/18 pearshape body.

Trousers either fit on the bum/thighs and gape at the waist, or won't go past my knees.

Dresses do make things so much simpler. One problem I have is, when you want something smarter than a cardi but more rock n roll than a work jacket what do you do? I think I'd like to try a long, lean jacket slung over a dress look but don't know where to start looking.

A 'school run dress' isn't a dress for just doing the school run in. I haven't done a school run for 6 years! It is just an easy dress to wear that you can sling on in the morning and you are ready to go without any hassle. It got that name a few years ago on a thread about dresses as a bit of a joke and it has remained ever since, like 'nice ham'!

Oh I would love to wear more dresses, but in winter I always feel freezing. Even with woolly tights, warm undies on. Maybe I should try two pairs of tights? Last winter I even wore tights under my jeans, wasn't very comfortable but was at least warmer.

Think I'll have to reserve my dress wearing for spring/summer.

Solomum, if you like cardis then a chunky knit one looks good over a slim-fitting dress. Also, some dresses suit a poloneck underneath, or if you don't want the jumper's neck to show, a scoop or V-neck one.

I wear dresses mainly, or a knitted tunic with either tights or leggings and boots.

Much easier to get dressed in the morning and look pulled together and presentable.

Solomum what are you wearing on your feet? I have sheepskin lined boots.
Also thermal camisoles, uniqulo heattech tops.

Are your dressed knitted?

I do also wear a cardi with them, I have bought a lovely cashmere one from Pure for this winter.

Knitted tunic style dresses with a long sleeved top underneath if they"re short sleeved sounds great.

Scarf,bangles,tights and boots and off out.No drama.

It completely depends on your shape. I tried on a few dresses yesterday, which I do every now and then, and once again realised that they just don't suit me as much as skirt and top.

I have these tights and they are so warm.

I am a size 16/18 and I live in dresses, particularly for work as it requires no effort.

I always wear dresses for work now. Used to do trousers but would spend ages trying to match things in the morning. Now I just throw on a dress and opaques and I'm done.

Primark have extra warm tights that have double layers. They look really warm. I tend to wear jumper dresses in winter with leggings and a l/s top or thermals under.