Help me find some day dresses

[MouseyHousey]

I have recently lost a bit of weight and need some new clothes. I am 5ft2, size 12, hourglass shape.
I suit dresses but need something that is nipped in at the waist or I just look like a sack of potatoes.
I am very busty so nothing too low cut although if I could wear a vest under it then thats fine. I really want something not formal that I can wear day to day, Ive found that patterns seem more day like and plain dresses can look a little formal.
Also ideally would like short sleeves, no long sleeves or sleevless, open to 3/4 lengths.
One more thing, fairly small budget, Im hoping to lose some more weight so dont want to spend too much. Maybe £20-30 per dress?
Am I asking the impossible?! :)

Watching with interest. You sound just like me. I do love a jumper dress. Fat face have some nice ones sometimes.

My dresses come from...sales!
Boden is a firm favourite, White Stuff, something called Blink

The latest one I bought in Jules, navy polka dots, down to 30 pounds from something like 80.
I can say hand on heart I would never pay the full prices.
If I really like something I keep on eye on the sale.

I don't know what to suggest specifically, we seem very different shapewise, maybe an A line?

I like FatFace and Joules for every day dresses (but buy Joules from John Lewis as Joules customer service is rubbish)

I was going to recommend Joules too, as I am very short, and curvy, and have a couple of lovely ones from there, from JL in the sale.

Oliver Bonas is great for women with boobs ATM.
Slightly more than your budget but check the sale section of their website.

Cute telephone print dress

Love this flamingo print looks short on model but should be ok if you're 5ft 2

Floral

Denim

Crossover

All of the above would suit an hourglass shape and can be dressed up or down with boots and a cardi IMO

I am the same height and body-shape, looking for the same thing!

Can't really suggest anything specific but tea-dresses always have worked well for me - usually with ties from the side that go round the back to give a bit of shape. New Look often seem to do some lovely tea-dresses in your price range and I imagine shops will start bringing them out a bit more now it's spring.

Dorothy Perkins is great for dresses in that price range.

I am loving this floral number

Is it just me, or is this dress hugely overpriced??!

Yep cheese, seems a ridiculous price for a piece of polyester from littlewoods

A lot of choice here in your price range here
They usually have some of this brand in larger branches of New Look.

My thoughts exactly Faff