A dress for the office

[Bunbaker]

I would like a smart summer dress for work and am getting so frustrated at not being able to find anything suitable. Everything I have seen is either too short, a shift dress, too low cut or just plain unsuitable for work.

My requirements are:
Knee length
Not low cut
Not shift dress (I am too pear shaped to wear one)
Short sleeves
Flared bottom half

I am 5'7" slim, small busted with a too large backside. (Sounds lovely )

I am also hunting for one of these and feeling frustrated. I'd add cotton to the list of requirements, in desperation I have just bought a lovely looking dress from TKMaxx but I know I will regret its polyesterness.

How about this one from Cos? wrap dress

Or this one, also Cos? another wrap dress

Watching with interest! Can I add not made of vile sweaty polyester to the list of requirements?!

Although the second one is dry clean so not really practical.

www.sainsburys-live-well-for-less.co.uk/tu-clothing/products/women/black-bow-wrap-dress/

its currently 50% off in store but not online for some reason.

Has built in tummy control too looks like i've lost a stone when I wear it

I should have added that buying online is no good to me. I have to try before I buy, so that ruled Cos out. But thank you for your suggestions.

I like the Sainsburys one. I have just been looking at that. I work near a Sainsburys so that might be an option for me.

Please buy the first Cos one! I linked to it on an earlier thread. It's lovely but I am far too short for it.

Sorry Remus, but I really don't like it and it looks a bit too casual for work. It would also make my non existent boobs look even more non existent.

:( I will forgive you - this time only. :)

Skater-style dresses are great for pear-shapes. I have 2 Gap dresses that are lined so fab for a bit of decency; I'd try to rescue them in a fire. Nothing much good this season but I'll keep looking. Have a good one from Fat Face, too, though not lined. Try searching House of Fraser, Debenhams or M&S for 'skater' dress and this should give you plenty to choose from...then you can try on in your local branch - HoF do fast free delivery and you can return for free, too. Think Oasis and Mango will have work dresses in (concessions in my local HoF).

I have been looking at the H of F site and seen a few that look promising. Unfortunately they don't all say how long they are. I am too old for short dresses and they aren't really suitable for work anyway.

I found one in H&M today... Will try to link to it. From what you've said it would be perfect. I loved it but it wouldn't do up over my huge bosom

www.hm.com/gb/product/26693?article=26693-B

Or maybe it was this... Can't see on stupid small phone

www.hm.com/gb/product/26486?article=26486-A

I like those H & M ones. I keep forgetting about H & M. It looks like I will be looking in House of Fraser, H & and Next because I have seen one there that I like the look of as well.

Thank you for your suggestions, and keep them coming

I'm 5'8" with a middle-aged tummy. I get on well with Dorothy Perkins dresses - particularly the tall range, which matters when the dress is at all fitted round the waist (to avoid the accidental smock effect!) Fit & flare generally works well for office wear.

I just had a quick look on DP - only quick as they have hundreds of dresses - and found this. Any good?

I do like the Tu wrap dress :)

That's perfect Garlic. Unfortunately, every time I go into DP they never have anything I want. Most of the clothes that appeal to me are available online only. I prefer to shop in real shops and buy something that fits straight away without having to faff about with paying for stuff, returning it and waiting for a refund.

Some other Dotty P 'tall' dresses.

Aha! Yes, I take your point!

This if you don't mind polyester?

Remus Shift dresses are no use to me. For them to fit over my hips they would be way too baggy on the bust.

Last try

Too low cut. I would have to wear a camisole underneath. Although I do like the dress.

I know you are trying and I really appreciate your help though/

The neck is much higher than the earlier Sainsbo's dress linked to, which would deffo need a cami.

Need to go and cook now!