where to look for petite smart clothes

[Didactylos]

I need to find a smart outfit to stand up in front of a large crowd and give a presentation in. I am - short, plump, overendowed in the norkage department and underendowed in the body confidence stakes.

Ideally Id like a dress and blazer/jacket combo or some sort of wrap dress that covers but flatters?has to cover my horrible upper arms and has to be pretty conservative for the occasion but some flash of personality would be useful and I dont want to look much older than my years (30s)

I have looked in the usual places I pick things up - wallis, principle petite, hobbs but am struggling
Any suggestions would be greatfully recieved

Have you looked at banana republic? I used to get work bits from their petite section.
Or J Crew petite, I love their bits but only really found them after I gave up work, so haven't really looked at the things you're after.

off to look thanks

I have recently discovered that Boden petite works well for me. Or Warehouse seems OK for our height too... Good luck!

didnt think of boden, thanks
sadly the petite range seems too small in the bust department but I have found 2 dresses that might fit the bill in that their shape is very flattering and I can always hem them up/accessorise them a bit

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/Work-Dresses/WQ059-DPR/Womens-Fig-Clerkenwell-Dress.html

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/Smart-Day-Dresses/WQ052-NAV/Womens-Navy-Chancery-Dress?orcid=-72#cs1

I think the Boden dresses are too plain.

Also J Crew does some petite things. They seem slightly more stylish than some other petite offerings.

banana republic definitely , and sometimes whistles dresses work well - perhaps a smart dress from whistles like a darkish coloured silk one with a jacket over the top? paul smith black label is often okay on me too. + you may be surprised by H&M I have found they are often good for petites

If budget will stretch, DVF dresses always good

ah seen links - like second one better, but would require a lot of altering as looks v long

I'm not sure A line is always as flattering as people think it is. I think better to go with skimming and smart in a dark colour or a dark pattern, if you want a dress

Minuet petite?

ooh, thanks everyone
Im afraid I tend to stick to fairly A line dresses because they tend to suit me better than more straight up and down styles, and feel a bit too curvy in anything with a fitted skirt - feel like I look like a bag of ferrets from behind
Really, If I could get away with wearing a burqua I would.... though a not too fitted one

warehouse good stuff
thoughts on these?
www.warehouse.co.uk/lace-panelled-dress/dresses/warehouse/fcp-product/4353077477
www.warehouse.co.uk/lace-panel-a-line-ponte-dress/dresses/warehouse/fcp-product/4543087636

Loving the DVF suggestions, though its probably a little beyond what I wanted to spend... though might just try and budget a bit more to buy some stuff from there

I love DVF, cost per wear the dresses I have have been worth it (I have had particular use out of some plain DVF jersey-ponte dresses)
Not sure about the first warehouse one but the second is quite nice. I guess with those sleeves you could wear it on its own with no jacket etc and it could be quite smart.
Have you thought about Vivienne westwood anglomania basic dress? In a darker colour they are the most flattering and versatile dresses IMO

I gave a talk last year and I wore a black pencil skirt and a cream blouse. It was simple but smart enough. I also gave a presentation in a black 3/4 sleeve blazer and a printed dress underneath which I felt really comfortable in (slightly A line too!)

also if you want to minimise boobs I would suggest a v neck or a deep round neckline as long as no blatant cleavage escape (honestly) - the high necked dresses will create a big expanse of chest otherwise as a block. I think others may disagree but I find mine look far bigger when I wear a high necked dress if it's close fitting.

the problem I have with most v necked dresses, being short and busty is that people get way too much of a view- If I wear a lovely flattering wrap dress I always have to put a camisole or something underneath and then spend my time checking and hoiking! - its really hard to prevent that 'oh gods hes just talking to my cleavage moment' before looking down and realising oops its practically out there on a platter .
I dont suit high neck/audrey hepburn style neck as they do really maximise me but a round or square neckline, slight V below collar bones work well.

I really like that printed dress, thanks cafe, might just buy that anyway. Off to look at V westwood, and you are starting to persuade me to order just one from DVF to try.....

you know the thought of talking and taking questions from a large audience doesnt phase me at all? its the walking up and back from the podium thats my stress!

Hobbs Millais dress is v.roomy up top Navy. No use for me, but if it's in your price range it's super smart with shortish length jacket to match.