Day dress - I don't want to show my arms or my knees

[TwoInTheMourning]

and would prefer cotton or a non nasty material. Oh, plus I'm 44. Oh yes and I'm short and a little podgy at the moment, 1st overweight. Impossible, I know.

[othgraph]

www.nougatlondon.co.uk/silk-wrap-effect-dress-18676.html

[Koothrapanties]

Ooh I love the white company one. Nice pick tenminutes!

[Myfanwyprice]

I've got this dress from next and it's very flattering, I'm 5ft 4 and about a stone more than I'd like to be!

www.next.co.uk/g6348s1#852883g63

[hellymelly]

I want this too. Am marking place.

[PaulaPennyfeather]

How about this one from COS?

[Bunbaker]

Skater dresses here

I have the purple one and get loads of compliments every time I wear it. It washes well too.

[emsyj]

Lots of them seem to be very drab, dark colours - I want something nice and bright. (Sorry, not my thread though ). Am contemplating ordering a couple of the Peopletree dresses from the link posted above.

[BravePotato]

I wear people tree and white company dresses all the time.

They are cotton or viscose (which is a natural man-made fibre, if that makes sense, it is breathable)or silk.

I also have some fab day dresses from LK Bennett, bought on e-bay, with 3/4 sleeves.

Don't give up so easily!

(I have the dress linked by 10minutes early, and it is nice on, and comfy!)

[FairPhyllis]

If you don't mind the faff of ordering from the US, Modcloth or Shabby Apple are good bets for sleeves and length.

[frankietwospots]

Two options from Uniqlo:

www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/goods/126263

www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/goods/086901 (worn with leggings if you don't want to show legs)

[TwoInTheMourning]

No no no and no to everything except perhaps the one from The White Company and maybe, just maybe, the one from Next.

One problem I find with skater-type dresses is that the waist is cut too high. Drop waist dresses are more flattering for women my age (40+) in my opinion, but harder to find.

[TwoInTheMourning]

No wait actually quite a few nice options in People Tree.

[notyummy]

Is there a particular cut or colour you are aiming for? At the moment the brief re legs/arms is actually quite easy to find things for, but there must be more that you are looking for to enable you to rule stuff out! Give us a steer

[HenI5]

I like the White Company dress but the model's 5'10" and wearing a size 'small'

Jersey can be very unforgiving especially if you feel you're short, a little podgy and a stone overweight (quoting OP) Sad but true that a lot of dresses that look elegant on the model just don't translate well onto shorter and heavier bodies

I also have a problem with the colours. As someone who's very fair skinned and who doesn't tan, I also feel all the black, grey, white or navy just does me no favours. Instead of looking effortlessly chic I end up looking like someone who's turning up to do the cleaning or a throwback to the workhouse

[TwoInTheMourning]

To give an idea of something I consider nice, I like this dress, except it's too pricey and size S is out of stock
www.johnlewis.com/lauren-ralph-lauren-anchor-patterned-cotton-dress-multi/p1509467

[BravePotato]

Yes, Lauren Ralph Lauren can be very good too

[BravePotato]

Actually, Joules and Jigsaw often do good dresses too.

I have spent YEARS looking for fitted, yet flary knee length dresses with sleeves.

I own about 12!

One of my friends calls me the queen of dresses, and asks me where I find them.

So, to recap: white company, people tree, LK Bennett, Joules, Lauren Ralph Lauren and Jigsaw. Also phase eight.

Sales should be starting soon

[TheBitterBoy]

What about Boden? This one here or this one or this one. They come in two lengths and there is a sale at the moment. Quite a few others with sleeves on the website.

[hellymelly]

Most of the ones linked to are above the knee. Almost all in fact (I hate my knees) . Many women want over the knee dresses with elbow length sleeves even if just for work. There really is a gap in the market.

[Bunbaker]

"One problem I find with skater-type dresses is that the waist is cut too high"

The one I have from M and Co doesn't have a high waist. I have a long body and the waist is on my waist. I like that JL dress and have one in a similar style from Next (which is about 2 years old)

[StoneTheFlamingCrows]

I have this one in navy and I love it.

It is super flattering, the pleats at the front hide your tummy and are really slimming. Good quality too.

[Apatite1]

If anyone can find me a dress (or several!) with below elbow sleeves, on or below knee (I'm only 5'1) and with pockets, I'd be forever grateful. I have to dress conservatively at work, but often dresses end mid calf (not flattering) or mid thigh (not appropriate for my work). It's the pockets bit that is really difficult. Thank you in advance!

[HenI5]

Not sure of your budget Apatite but do you mean anything like this one
Link you might need it shortening, but it seems to fit the bill otherwise?
There's also a printed dress called Mae, but not sure if that would suit for shape or 'conservative' (re print)

OP I got a completely bum steer from what you asked for at first compared to what you linked to that you like

[BravePotato]

Boden is ok if you don't have a waits/hips. Almost all boden is for straight-up and down people IME

[TwoInTheMourning]

BravePotato I agree. I am most definitely a pear with hips, bottom, thighs and saddlebags so Boden is tricky for me, plus I don't like the overtly 'Bodenesque' patterns like the ones TheBitterBoy has linked to.
A few suggestions for you Apatite1:
www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Dickins+Jones+Stripe+dress+with+3/4+sleeves/191689610,default,pd.html
www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Hallhuber+3/4+sleeve+pocket+detail+dress/190304770,default,pd.html
www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Kilian+Kerner+Senses+Oversized+pocket+midi+pencil+dress/197917061,default,pd.html
www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Closet+Big+pocket+collar+tunic/196067538,default,pd.html