I think I've found my school run dress - Seasalt Cornwall

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

What do you think of:

the red one

and

the dotty one ?

[cat]

Ugh

Frumpy and cheap looking

[dexter73]

cat - what would you recommend instead?

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Did you not like any of mine? Tell me what was wrong with them and I'll try again.

I really rate The White Company for jersey dresses, but they don't do prints.

[LaurieFairyCake]

I love Seasalt dresses and tunics.

I wear dresses every day - much easier and stretchier than jeans.

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

RLBG - ok, but it's going to make me sound ungrateful and I promise you I am not! In order:
1 - lovely, really like navy and white, but neckline too high
2 - ditto (but 1 was nicer pattern)
3 - neckline too high/round , and dress too short. I love it actually, but not on me
4 - I have something v v similar for work. would like something without full sleeves. but does suit me.
5 - ok. does it look too young? not sure
6 - i like! Apart from length, how is it markedly different from red seasalt dress?
THANK YOU for looking for me. I realsie I sound v picky. From a combination of things I can't wear and things I won't wear, I am very particular. But I do love dresses!

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

I don't mind not prints, I'm just not keen on one colour.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Don't apologise - I didn't make, and indeed don't love, any of them. I was just trying to find things that sounded a bit like what you wanted!

5 - no I really don't think it's too young. It might be truky hideous irl though as Debenhams stuff often is

6 - not v different at all: just maybe easier to picture with a denim/biker jacket when it's a less frumpy length?

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

And believe me, I am known on here for being hideously picky (especially about books!) so again no need to apologise. :)

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

wow, I used to live in my denim jacket as a teenager, that could be something .... off to start a new thread!

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

denima jacket searching thread

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

*denim

denima sounds like a baby name thread

[piratecat]

i used to live in mine too, and have tried to find another one (unsuccessfully) the past year or so. I must look again, as i think there may be more about now.

[hellymelly]

I never wear stuff above the knee, and on-the-knee just makes legs look fatter. I don't think a midi length is frumpy per se at all. Most of my lovely vintage dresses are mid calf and not at all frumpy. I'm bored of seeing that slightly mini length now, I think its starting to look dated, and think super short is cuter if you are young or have fab pins and midi length is much more elegant.

[PasswordProtected]

I think both dresses are lovely and very adaptable. Really do not get all the frumpy comments. Not everyone wants to go round looking scruffy, do they?
Also liked that the dresses were not made in China.

[JamieOliveOil]

I've just ordered this dress from Next. It's really flattering for my figure which, sadly, is rather short and round!

[Bunbaker]

I must be very frumpy because I have a dress similar to the first one. It is black with a small pattern and I bought it from Next last year. It stops just above my knees. I am tall and slim BTW and when I wore it recently everyone commented on how smart I looked.

[bella65]

Having looked at the Seasalt website, I'd say there are several much nicer dresses there if you really want one.

The Morvoren dress looks nicer but needs 6 inches chopping off it.

[apatchylass]

Jamie Olive Oil - that's lovely.

Agree with Helly Melly about the elegance of the length. Not frumpy at all.

[mewkins]

I think the length is the problem. On the knee would be a pretty summer dress, those ones quite a bit below look a bit odd with both flats and heels. I know as I have a great plains dress that length which never looks rihht. Must re-hem it a few inches shorter.

Ps. Seasalt stuff is good quality - esp the breton tops

[soaccidentprone]

is this more what you are looking for?

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

thanks, but no. neckline too high (I suit a v-neck), I would look all boobs! and I don't count those as sleeves.

[soaccidentprone]

So v neck, short sleeve, fitted bodice and a line or flared skirt?

Preferably just above the knee and patterned?

[twirlyagogo]

I think I'm similar to you OP - 5ft 4, size 14, short legs, but really, straight dresses are your friend. They make the lumpy bits look more contained - those ones that kick out at the bum, A line, floaty from waist, whatever, they are HIDEOUS. I can't buy Boden any more, because even when they pretend otherwise in the pics, you get a frock and it has been A-lined completely.

Those Sea Salt ones are indeed frumpy - and they are shockingly expensive for what they are.

I'm watching this with interest though

[soaccidentprone]

Below the knee, just, but not mid calf?

[twirlyagogo]

I think that v neck or scoop neck is absolutely right, as is fitted on top, but would really avoid flared skirt. You can wear sleeveless with little cardi too - and agree with poster (Helly maybe?) who said that midi is better. If you have short legs, above or on knee isn't a good look (speaks from experience not nastiness).