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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Please find me some work dresses.

31 replies

Roundandroundthemulberrybush · 05/09/2012 17:08

I desperately need a couple of proper formal work dresses. Day to day I can be a bit more casual but I have felt underdressed in a couple of meetings and want to ramp up my style a bit. I am 5' 9 and a size 10. Ideally I am looking for a couple of traditionalish navy /grey/ black shifts which finish above the knee and preferably with short sleeves or something I can put a thin top underneath in winter.

I have literally searched the entire high street and not found anything suitable. I don't really want to pay Hobbs prices but am starting to think that I have no other option.

OP posts:
minipie · 05/09/2012 17:26

I have a couple from Mango (or one may be from Zara, can't remember) that I have worn to death - worth a look. You may do better trying their websites rather than shops as stock is a bit hit and miss I find.

Fairyliz · 05/09/2012 17:38

Have you tried M&S? I know people on mumsnet don't like them, but I have several shift dresses from there just like you have described. They seem to have two or three each season in their workwear section. I have them in black, grey and navy, gret or the office.

Stevie77 · 05/09/2012 18:10

There's a nice M&S navy shift with cap sleeves in their limited collection that I posted about yesterday. Alas, I can't have it as a colleague owns one but it looks really nice on.

Original poster
Roundandroundthemulberrybush · 05/09/2012 18:33

Thanks for your suggestions. I had a look at M&S today and all the ones which I liked on line were really frumpy when I looked at them but I havent seen their Limited one so I will check that out.

Zara was a bit too weddingy but I shall have a look at the Mango website. Please keep the suggestions coming.

OP posts:
Sheila · 05/09/2012 18:45

I like Jaeger for quality work wear. They're not cheap but there are often 20% off deals and really good sales, and they do a cracking loyalty scheme - I just got sent a voucher for £20.

I'd steer clear of the more directional styles and go for classics in navy - they are fantastic quality that will last and last. I'll search for some links...

domesticslattern · 05/09/2012 18:47

Yes, I was going to suggest Jaeger too. Very good sales. Hobbs outlet on website also worth a look?

minipie · 05/09/2012 18:53

What shape are you OP? Jaeger are good if you are relatively straight up and down but IME not so hot if you have a defined waist (whereas Mango/Zara are often good for that).

Banana Republic are also worth a look I think.

Sheila · 05/09/2012 18:55

Sorry that link doesn't seem to work - I'm on my phone.

MrsLettuce · 05/09/2012 18:57

Hobbs from ebay?

MrsLettuce · 05/09/2012 18:58

PP's missing link

Sheila · 05/09/2012 18:59

Ooh you clever thing - thank you!

GetOrfAKAMrsUsainBolt · 05/09/2012 18:59

What about House of Fraser <a class="break-all" href="http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Linea+Women+Dresses/BRAND_LINEA_301,default,sc.html?start=40&sz=20&spcl#www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Linea+Women+Dresses/BRAND_LINEA_301,default,sc.html?prefn1=Style&prefv1=Shift%20Dress&fix&spcl&ajaxsearchrefinement" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Linea+Women+Dresses/BRAND_LINEA_301,default,sc.html?start=40&sz=20&spcl#www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Linea+Women+Dresses/BRAND_LINEA_301,default,sc.html?prefn1=Style&prefv1=Shift%20Dress&fix&spcl&ajaxsearchrefinement

Original poster
Roundandroundthemulberrybush · 05/09/2012 19:54

Thanks again. I have just bid on a couple of BNWOT Hobbs dresses on eBay. Think that might be the way forward.

OP posts:
SkiBumMum · 05/09/2012 19:58

Next have one at the moment that looks just like a Hobbs. I get lots of compliments apart from a comment that I look liked a school girl from a random petrol station man

It had a fullish skirt and a collar. I guess it is somewhat pinafore like but if you accessorise well it works.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 05/09/2012 20:14

Have you looked on the Outlet bit of the Hobbs site?

minipie · 05/09/2012 20:20

Ooh yes Remus good suggestion. Also the "sale" section of the LK Bennett website here

AndWhenYouGetThere · 05/09/2012 20:37

A bit unconventional for Style & Beauty, but I suggest Matalan. I had a similar frustrating search on the high street last year, and about a month later stumbled on 2 or 3 in Matalan than I have since worn to death.

SilkandSteel · 05/09/2012 20:41

Much as Next are quite rightly slated on here for some of their horror clothes, I buy most of my work dresses from there, they do have some very nice shift style dresses - definitely worth a look.

Celticlassie · 05/09/2012 20:45

Zara do have some lovely tailored dresses and skirts for work, I got a couple of skirts last week that are lovely.

coffeeinbed · 05/09/2012 20:51

If you have a COS near give them a try.
Must try though, things usually look like nothing special on the hangers, but are lovely to wear.

orangina · 05/09/2012 20:59

Cos?

coffeeinbed · 05/09/2012 21:04

www.cosstores.com/Fashion/Women

Bintang · 05/09/2012 23:03

This Monsoon dress is nice in rl, and is machine washable (it's the dry cleaning that puts me off many workwear dresses)

HazleNutt · 06/09/2012 07:05

Too bloody expensive but I'm looking for a reason to get this:
Bennett

this is pretty
next

Bananarepublic has several like
grey
black