Ideas please before I start shopping for an outfit to meet royalty in...

[ChippyMinton]

Work-related, daytime, outdoors, so may need jacket/coat over.

Quite like this from Jigsaw but it's a bit safe and I know you lot can do better

Link doesn't work for some reason. It's the fine wool pleat hem dress in plum.

I tried that on (I think from your description) yesterday and it is gorgeous, really well cut and flattering for me. Generously sized but the wrong colour for me though. Quite expensive but classic and I loved the pleats around the hem. Possibly not wow though unless colour really suits you. LKB Davina? There's a few in different colourways in end of sales at the moment.

Oh yes get the Davina, it's lovely and comes in lots of colours. If I had £200ish to spend on a "smart work dress" it's what I would get.

www.lkbennett.com/clothing/dresses/DRDAVINA2428WOOLMIX

The Davina is gorgeous.

I bought this one from Jigsaw today. It is lovely but maybe not formal enough.

Here

Thanks for feedback on pleated hem one. I wanted to try but was encumbered by rugrats today!
Not sure about the Davina on me but will go and try it on. There's a tempting teal shade.
HalleLouja, which one did you get? Your link's not working either.

this chippy? Like it a lot.

IMHO the Elysia has more going for it than the Davina. A lot more.

this is Very Nice Indeed. Bargain too.

I got it in the pink. Its stunning. I might get blue too. Its the Lyocell knot front dress in the sale section.

Like MrsLettuce's 3rd link...decisions decisions.

I think the slightly vintage influenced cut of the reiss dress will stop it dating as quickly as the LKB dresses will. TBH I fear the ubiquitous davina (and its many copies) are already on the way there. There's nowt fresh about it anymore anyway.

The jigsaw dress is good too though, I'm sure it'd look much better on a more 'normal' frame than it does on the model.