Smart but alternative summer dresses

[GeekLove]

I will be of to sunny Mexico to an engineering conference and would like a smart but 'alternative' summer dress as I am presenting a paper there. Does anyone know good online retailers with fast delivery?
I am looking for something which is summery but with a bit of rocky/vintage styling?

Thanks in advance

When are you going? I might be way off the mark here but how about this vintage style dress in Blue Riviera?
www.bodenpreview.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/Day-Dresses/WH640-LBL/Womens-Blue-Riviera-Nancy-Dress.html

Joy louche have some beautiful things

red
pink
navy wrap
green stripe
green shirt dress
black/camel shift

that Navy wrap dress is fab!

Oooh, I really like Frankie's choice in the orange and white colourway - do you think it would suit you? That colour never compliments me, but I can imagine it looking wonderful on other women.

(PS: The blue is also very lovely - I just really really wish I could pull off the orange/white version as it looks so happy and retro and summery...)

I have this and it's my favourite Summer dress but I expect it might be too casual?

They do a version with sleeves though.

The Boden one is not dissimilar.

What's going on? I actually don't hate a Boden dress .

Sometimes they do get the 50s vibe right!

Lindy Bop and Heyday both have some great vintage style dresses. The problem with some fifties style frocks is that they look a bit prom night for a professional occasion so I've picked out a couple of wiggle dresses and two forties style day dresses.

www.lindy-bop.com/dresses/wiggle-dresses/tiffany.html

www.lindy-bop.com/dresses/wiggle-dresses/fran.html

www.heydayonline.co.uk/default/womens-clothing/ladies-the-fleur-dress-daisy-chain.html#.UxSppLYgGc0

www.heydayonline.co.uk/default/ladies-1940s-dress-mary-red-dynamite.html#.UxSrO7YgGc

I love Zara... THIS with tan wedge sandals and accessories. THIS is lovely too.

Remember the models are tall so would be longer on most mere mortals.

Oh I forgot I got THIS dress last week... with a view to using it nearer the summer. I am looking for orange accessories.

I also got a lovely JAEGUR dress in JL too. I am sure it is called 'Maria', it is bright red. Both are lovely and lightweight. and both can be teamed with a short jacket or cardi.

The yellow Zara with sleeves is more professional looking than a lot of the others posted. Unfortunately it's 100% polyester, so would be stifling.

I don't think some of the below look suitable for work related presentations, personally.

Is this too frumpy?

Quite nice and it's cotton, but I hate the belt

Both look a bit vintage but not at all rocky!

Absolutely love this

Possibly not suitable for your presentation but Vivien of holloway have a lovely dress in a Day of the dead print.

black

polka dot

blue

silk so maybe not practical but v v lovely

check

grey

(There's loads more on that site, but I've lost the will to click)

I've seen some nice ones from HoF - they seem to have a sale on at the moment. Keep the suggestions coming .

this is something I have in mind here

Anthropologie. The BEST dresses.

katelemoo Oh poo. I didnt need to be told about Anthropologie!! (lovely stuff!)

Ive also gone and ordered that Boden nancy dress, in the blue riviera and the blue etched spot ..However im not sure if the shape will work on me ..being generous of nork and slim of hip so perhaps not ,( but the fabrics are so lovely) and i cant afford to keep both though.

BTW if you want anything off Boden Y507 is giving 20% off and free delivery right now