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 pear shaped too. I tried on the first Cos wrap dress linked above today. Granted, it was a 14 and much too big on me, but it was not at all flattering. In fact my 8yo looked at me with one of those horror face they do and said in a v loud voice 'it's HELL'.
I tried on this one too, lovely colour, not bad but not great. This, in pink also was quite nice on, fitted closely on hips on me but fine. Quite casual but nice. Didn't buy cos kids were getting ratty and dancing in front of the mirror and I couldn't see to decide about my knees . Cos has some lovely skirts atm, not all on the website, and gorgeous tops, might suit better.

I really don't find skater dresses suit me. Don't think they suit anyone.

What about a shirt dress?

It's lovely that you all keep showing Cos dresses, but I shop in Sheffield and the nearest Cos store is in Manchester.

Buying clothes online is a nightmare for me so I don't bother.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2064273-A-dress-for-the-office?msgid=46674458#46674458

Also in blue polka dots!

I bought this the other day, very flattering and a lovely colour. Very reasonable price, too www.mandco.com/pleated-fit-and-flare-dress/invt/1210084royalblue&bklist=icat,10,10010,10010090

Oh bugger copied and pasted the wrong tab!

www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-sarah-dress-navy/p1339118#default

This is the work dress I get the most compliments on, but I'm afraid it's a shift. I have it in grey www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/WQ081/Womens-Paddington-Dress.html

That is a lovely dress Ladyface but you would think for that price they'd give you sleeves with it! Little cap sleeves or something. I know a lot of women go sleeveless to the office and I must be in the minority but I don't feel comfortable with it myself.

www.oasis-stores.com/textured-jacquard-pencil-dress/dresses/oasis/fcp-product/5550080020

following on from my Sainsbury's, success what about this?

I really like that M and Co one, but guess what, no M and Co near me.

Sorry, but the Hobbs dress is too £££.

I was looking at Boden earlier on today and really, really like that dress, but again it is online only so no good to me, and as it is a shift dress it would be way too baggy on the bust to fit round my hips. It isn't as if I could lose weight either as I am quite skinny. I am the shape that I am.

I really appreciate all your help and am not trying to be negative, but I need to try clothes on so ordering online is out.

The Oasis one wouldn't fit - sorry.

M and Co returns are free, thouh, if that helps?

Shopping can be faffy; not for me I spend all day indulging when I can. But part of the fun is trying on lots to find The One and feeling that little bubble of excitement when you know something looks good. Then you buy that item in every colour :)

I think I might risk the M and Co dress, just deciding which colour to get, as unfortunately they don't have the navy in my size.

Congratulations WickedWitch you have won the personal shopper award. But a massive thank you to the rest of you with your suggestions.

I hope you like it, Bunbaker! Do report back when you get it. Also it's a generous cut so if you're between two sizes order the smaller one.

Which shops have you got near you?

"Which shops have you got near you?"

All the ones here

"Also it's a generous cut so if you're between two sizes order the smaller one"

I have just ordered a 10. Perhaps I should have tried an 8 as well. Never mind. I will see and let you know.

Okay - throwing some random Debenhams ones into the mix now, so brace yourself!

Suspect the fabric would be horrible though
It comes in navy too.

Too fitted?

I had a really good look in Debenhams last week and tried loads of dresses on, but was desperately disappointed at the fit and the materials.

I should have added that I am Winter so autumnal colours look awful on me, although I like the style of that Wallis dress. The other one is too straight for my figure.

The Wallis one comes in navy as well, and they have a v similar one in black and white. You'd need to see irl though, as Wallis stuff is often pretty awful imvho.

you can find surprisingly nice ones in laura ashley if you have a hunt this might fit your requirements

they are quite generously cut i find

op, I too am looking for a dress.
most, including many that people have linked to, don't have sleeves and I really need a sleeve.

I have this