Please help finding me a smart summer dress.

[SmethwickBelle]

After another two years or so of lurking indoors I seem to have three occasions to wear a nice dress in the next two months. I have today depressed myself by going round and round the Bullring poking at dresses in a bewildered fashion, the few I tried on made me look like mutton (when did dresses get so SHORT?) and I need some help..

The dress code for one is "smart casual" but it is awards ceremony so expect people to make the effort. The other two I'll be presenting something so again want to look sharp but please god not mumsy/businessy.

I'm 39, Size 12, decent legs, about 5' 7", fairly hourglassy. Suit fitted shapes but don't suit flarey skirts. Upper arms need covering really.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated, no idea what brands to even look at these days. Thanks

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/Smart-Day-Dresses/WH625/Womens-Olivia-Dress.html
I'm sure the experts will be along, but I've got this & it's quite flattering. For upper arms you could add a cropped navy cardigan.

I'm 5'9", size 14, don't like short dresses either.
Have you tried phase eight, East, planet, get cutie (slightly quirky if you like that sort of thing), damsel in a dress (concession in John Lewis in Solihull or online), Hobbs? If you like 50's stuff, try carolina dress rooms online. They do wiggle dresses that look great!
There's also 20th century foxy which sells dresses inspired by film stars.
HTH.

Oh, and sometimes M&co have stuff too.
(I'm the same age as you)

this Mary Portas dress was recommended on another thread this week and sounds like it might fit the bill. Mine is on its way so no 1st hand experience yet!

Dare I mention Next? They do good long dresses though! In coral and ivory too.

Maybe

Nice

Jade

Print

What sort of colour? There's a coupe I've seen that might be ok, but you might need a shrug or cardi if you don't like your arms on show....

BLUE-18&refpage=dresses&view=2&searchpage=1&pagesize=150 this?

too flarey on the skirt?

IVORY-8&refpage=dresses&view=2&searchpage=1&pagesize=150 too short?

maxi?

love this!

too short?

maybe?

the lady in the shop had this dress on and looked amazing!

BLUE-18&refpage=dresses&view=2&searchpage=1&pagesize=150 try again!!

try from John Lewis instead!!

Oh I hate getting drawn into this sort of thing - but you've made me laugh... Did you not think of strolling round to the Mailbox (for Harvey Nichols) or at least popping into Selfridges if you must hang around the Bullring?

Do you have a budget? Or any colours that you find flattering?

whitestuff - long sleeves, smartish, not fitted shape.

ZeroSomeGameThingy Ha I did wander around Selfridges with a bored six year old in tow so may have missed some gems I did poke around Karen Millen which used to be a favourite for this sort of thing but nothing leapt out at me.

I like that grey Phase 8 one Funnyfoot Not a fan of odd drapes but liking these linkies! Thanks! You lot are brilliant!

Budget could be up to 200 notes for the right dress. I like grey and boring dark colours like navy but I could just be out of practice buying colour.

Wowee Blueuggboots That M&Co oriental blue one looks ace and thirty quid coo!

Too businessy?

Jumpsuit?

www.lkbennett.com/Clothing/Dresses/Sanyo-Pleated-Dress/p/DRSANYOMULTIPrintMulti?nr=19&product=19&show=All

www.net-a-porter.com/product/410917/Vivienne_Westwood_Anglomania/melita-gathered-stretch-jersey-dress

I like these and they could be accessorised differently

Xposted - will carry on looking.

(Oh the dress above also comes in black.)

I had thought Anglomania and ZeroSomeGameThingy you have reminded me about Cos, a few years back I got some very cool shifty dresses there. I love the idea of Jumpsuits but arse just a touch too big and ankles too skinny to ever make them work.

Can't link as on mobile but could you try Me & Em or Baukjen. Both online, very good at ruched dresses which make you look great have several dresses from both and love them. They can be dressed up for meetings or down for more casual and they are really comfy too.

Amazing dress....

Um that last one seems to be mixing business with tyres and I am not sure I could work that as a look. On the plus side I suppose you wouldn't need to dry clean it, you could just jet wash it.

Does anything on The Pretty Dress Company website take your fancy? Team with a cropped cardigan to cover your arms.

Hmm...

The back! The Back!

Don't know why I'm picking out all black - s'not very summery. Maybe you just sound cool...

Blimey, that Cos dress is very interesting.

at "tyres"

Ok, less arty...