Your favourite dress for work...

[IceNoSlice]

Inspire me, fashionable S&B types! I'm looking for some lovely dresses. Any colour considered!

I'm need of inspiration for new work wear. I'll be back at work in October after mat leave and looking for a few new dresses. Quite a conservative office and I don't feel hugely comfortable in a super short skirt (though I do have good legs).

Go!

I love Boden for work wear, if you avoid the pattern there are lots of good quality conservative dresses that are great for work.

I like Me&Em although they are mostly showing their summer stuff still.

I like plainish black shift dresses with jewel coloured cardis, in my ideal world slightly cropped, 3/4 sleeves and not with a band under the bust. I love the LK Bennett embelished ones - I stalk ebay for them as they are out of my budget, but also nice fine knit ones from Monsoon.

I agree with Boden dresses, they are worth the money. My current fave is this one

I bought one last winter and it is very flattering and comfortable. Just waiting till they have offers on before I buy one this year .

Fenn Wright Manson have some nice pieces if you look hard.

Jaeger is where I would buy everything if I had the budget for full price

I love this one for work it's really flattering and I'm hoping will last years. I have both colours www.lkbennett.com/Clothing/Dresses/Nerine-Cross-Front-Dress/p/DRNERINEPOLYESTERMIXBlackBlack?show=All

And one very similar to this, I'm sure I paid a lot less from Hobbs though. m.hobbs.co.uk/product-detail?productid=0214-5941-3697L00&productvarid=0214-5941-3697L00-PILLAR%20BOX%20RED-8&refpage=dresses&view=2&searchpage=1&pagesize=18

Oh and these shoes are fabulous. Comfortable for heels and can't wait to wear them more in the winter. m.hobbs.co.uk/product-detail?productid=0214-AV19-002H105&productvarid=0214-AV19-002H105-BLACK-38_5&refpage=shoes-boots&view=2&searchpage=1&pagesize=18

M&S Autograph usually do a nice selection of shift dresses which are not too pricey and wash well.

Cos

I seldom wear anything other than dresses for work at the moment. I pick them up from all over the place. I've has a couple from Sainsbury's which were really cheap and have washed well. F&F at Tesco are worth checking out if you want something cheap.

A local boutique stocks some Italian dresses, quite modest, but stylish and not over the top price wise. So its worthwhile checking out any local independent boutiques.

My most recent work dress was from ASOS.

DVF, in the sale, but still pricy. Can be slightly on the short side, but not immodest.

M&S have some decent dresses, depends on your shape.

Boden doesn't suit my shape, although they do have some decent workwear.

Mary Portas can be forgiving.

Plus of course what has already been mentioned.

I don't like dresses for work. I feel all titty

The main thing is something that suits your shape - I can't do full skirts at all, have to have straight/pencil dresses. Also I work mostly with men and am careful to avoid gaping cleavage or anything too frilly/lacy.

I have a sweater dress from Hobbs I love. Also and I recently (in desperation before a meeting) bought one of those blouse-on-top-skirt-on -bottom dresses from M&S (like a cheap version of Hobbs Julietta dress) which is surprisingly nice on. Having a selection of small light cardigans helps too.

I don't wear dresses v much; prefer skirts. I have a plain black M&S one which always gets nice comments and a couple of old Warehouse/Oasis silk ones.

Love those Hobbs shoes, but ouch at the price.

I pretty much only wear dresses for work, teamed with jewel coloured cardigans as someone else said.
I do actually want to try to move away from this look but that's another thread.
My dresses are from banana republic, LK Bennett (sale), Cos, Asos, a couple from Next and Tesco F&F.

Oh wow, what great responses - thank you! Sorry to go AWOL, combo of small family and needing to reset wifi router thingummy.

HelpMe I LOVE both those dresses you posted, plus the shoes! Totally my kind of thing. Unfortunately a bit beyond my usual budget. Looking to spend £50-£75 per dress really. Anyone know when LKBennet and Hobbs have sales? Wrong season though, I guess :-/

In the past I've bought most of my work clothes in Next and H&M. I am now a wee bit more senior and getting older (am 33) so think I should be spending a bit more.

familiesShareGerms and babybarrister interesting that you should mention Jaeger. A well dressed workmate told me that she goes there twice a year and uses their personal shopper service. She said it was pricey but worth it because she bought a load of stuff then didn't need to think about it again - and the shopper made sure there were coordinated outfits etc.

polly thank you for your thoughts - I would like a range including cheapies and investments so great suggestions!

Thanks again everyone. Really helpful.

Have you looked on the Hobbs outlet bit?

Currently this one - I know what a bargain, no need to thank me

www.meandem.com/collection/collection/safari-shirt-dress-with-belt-moss/products_id/1876/cPath/1153_1154_1155

This. tablet.hm.com/gb/product/30222?article=30222-A
So flattering!
Nothing wrong with H&M clothes - certainly not at 33! You're not exactly old!! I'm older than you and still wear their work dresses along with next, Zara and mango who all do great, inexpensive, shift dresses suitable for work.

Wrap dresses I have an addiction to them and fear I'm a laughing stock at work with my ever changing new wrap dress

Next have some similar styles. I normally am a next, french connection, house of Fraser. But lost weight a couple if years ago and have kept the weight off so brought them as hopefully will last years and can be updated with cardigans/jackets and shoes.

This next one is a great fit. It arrived today and I really like it www.next.co.uk/x5484s6#670956x54

These are good too but I'd size down as I find them big. www.next.co.uk/x5494s1#699544x54 I have last years ones but this looks identical design.

I love Yumi dresses for work . I am quite short though, so these look good with my sort legs!!

I have lots of work dresses, mostly in jersey but an assortment of plain and patterns. I have had some lovely work dresses from Hobbs in the past, you need to keep checking the website for the sales and remember to size down!

Also look at M&S (be prepared to try them on as some look good on the rail but terrible on and vice versa). Also Debenhams and House of Fraser.

Have you looked at AlliumB? I got 3 dresses for my return to work next week in their sale. Cost £30 each!