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've been wanting that WC one ever since it came out but I just can't afford it right now - I think tittage would be fine in it.

Oh and I like the M&S Autograph jersey stripe ones too - they look as if they would be v unflattering but are actually v good.

I like that but think its for a skinny minny

So many people are one size for their bottom half and another for their top half, that dresses just don't particularly flatter.

I had a mare of a job buying a smart dress for dd1 who is a gorgeous slim 15 year old, never mind one for middle-aged me.

Yeah, I'm small of nork but have bovine womanly hips and it's a nightmare. Dresses that fit the bottom gap and bag like mad round the top. You could get me in them twice over sometimes. I always wonder who they make clothes for exactly ? I'm not that much of a freak, surely?

How can you lot have done this to me?!?! :)

I have been off work sick for nearly a year and when I go back I will need a new wardrobe to try to feel a bit more professional and a bit less lost . Now I NEED to go and buy at least 2 White Company dresses. They look perfect as a 5 foot 7 pear shape.

I like this and this.

Love, love, love that second dress.

Love the WC but they are expensive I think.

I've got that first one in charcoal and love it. I layer a long sleeved t-shirt under it.

Saw this last week. Really flattering and lovely soft fabric.

Do the WC dresses last well so that I can justify £70 per dress? Are they that much better than Tesco/Tu etc?

I would imagine that not only will it wash better but it will also be cut better.

Yes WC quality is way better than cheapo jersey dresses. I've worn and washed mine loads and they still look like new.

I knew that really but needed to have more voices in my head telling me to spend money. I have never really invested in my work wardrobe and I think that I need to start doing that when I get back to make me feel more professional. I got my promotion just 1 month prior to going off sick so I really will feel lost. I have another issue that I can only wear flat shoes due to my knees and that always makes me feel unprofessional against all of the heels (I work for a big bank) so at least if the rest of my outfit feels good, that should give me a lift.

Think a trip to Bluewater needs to happen prior to my return to work - as soon as I can drive again that will be my plan. Thanks ladies.

Remus What colour top would you wear under the dress? Do you have the jersey slip that they recommend?

I wear the grey dress with ballet flats quite often. Usually layer a long sleeved top or a cami in either white, black or a different shade of grey under it but bright pink could work too I guess. We have to wear jackets for work so I stick a little grey cropped jacket over it.

Any nice blazers to go with these dresses?

Bun I've just returned the second dress back to WC - I coveted it for ages and had to send it back because the side pockets stuck out and ruined the look.

Mantaray at Debenhams have a good range of dresses and longer tunics at reasonable prices.

I tried the Gok dresses on today and they get a massive thumbs down from me. He is only interested in dressing square shaped women with big bangers and no waists.

I couldn't get the slip over my head and tried the wrap dress on without it, but it is definitely not for small waisted, small boobed, pear shaped women like me.

Bunbaker - I thought the floral wrap dress was quite nice, but it was too long for me (and I'm 5'6", so not short) and I know what you mean about the slip - it was so tight I had to pull it up from the bottom over the hips, and it made me look like a weight-lifter.

There was a panelled black dress which was quite nice, but it was too high at the front - it needs a V cut into it.

Finally, there was a black panelled dress with a chinese styled neckline, which was really really good on, but it had embarrassingly huge shoulder pads, which I took put.

Loads of lovely dresses linked to here.... Matalan is worth a wee look for inexpensive dresses....i often get lucky there... Bought this one recently it is much much nicer in real life...its actually quite a vibrant inky blue. Loads of other lovely day dresses i thought too...

ja9 - how short is it? Just been looking at matalan - bargainous!

vcxl20 code for matalan - just ordering some stuff...matalan virgin