Where to buy nice day dresses (inexpensively)?

[insanelycheerful]

I've recently become a SAHM and feel like I need a bit of a wardrobe overhaul now that I'm in 'casual' day in, day out! I feel like all I ever wear is jeans and t shirts/jumpers. What I'd really like is to add a few nice day dresses, maybe jersey material for comfort/practicality, comfortable, pretty etc but also preferably not too pricey...

I know Phase Eight do lovely dresses (I have a couple), but they are quite expensive and perhaps not so day-time? Never tried Boden, are they worth a try? I'm a young looking (ie still get asked for ID in the supermarket on occasion!) 36 year old. Am thinking along the lines of dresses I could dress up with heels for an evening out at the pub but mainly to wear with opaque tights and ankle boots during the day chasing around after a 4 and a 2 year old! Don't want anything TOO short (knee length fine but not much above!)

Any suggestions gratefully received!

I tend to stick with skirts and tops as more outfit choice. But for dresses, try the sale section of Great Plains. Cheap dresses are in Matalan, supermarkets etc - lots out there at the mo.

I have a few things from Mantaray in Debenhams - a bit like a poor woman's White Stuff

I'm similar age and similar position to you (SAHM) and I've bought 2 tunic dresses I just love recently. Fab jersey material that really flatters, evrn hiding mummy tummy, and wash brilliantly

I'm not good at links, but look at the 'must have tunic' on boden

And the 'alexi jersey womens tunic'. At joules. I got the navy ditsy print which is even better irl but they do plain colours too

They are both lovely. Check out the reviews too

I second Mantaray, I have a couple of dresses from there. There's not much I like personally in their current selection, but there are always loads on ebay.

I would be vary of the joules tunic dresses as I found the cut not great on my relatively normal frame- 5'8 size 8- 10. I tend to wear lots of day dresses from marks and Spencer's as better shape generally.

How about Mistral? a bit like White Stuff

oooh - never seen Mistral - some lovely stuff there!

Sorry all, I totally forgot I had posted this!! Thank you for suggestions though, much appreciated. Not familiar with mantaray, will take a look. I've had a couple of nice dresses from Tesco in the past, totally bargains, but wasn't much I liked last time I looked. Don't mind spending a bit more on the odd boden or joules, given that they will last well. May see what comes up in the January sales...

Thanks again, and sorry for going AWOL!!

I also have the boden must have tunic and think its great and ideal to wear with tights and a cardi when I want to look casual but not scruffy! It's definitely a dress, not a tunic on me so I don't know why it's described on the website as it is - it wouldn't look good with jeans.

White Stuff have day dresses some are quite dowdy though

It sounds like the boden must have tunic really is a must have! Thank you :-)
Have a white stuff near me so may pop in to cast a critical eye over their wares....