Where can I find non-frumpy everyday dresses

[RaisinGirls]

Looking to pull together my A/W wardrobe. I am struggling to find any dresses that suit my post baby body - (ie 1.5stone heavier than I should be, with a pot belly and boobs!). I am also only 5ft 2 so get swamped by certain styles. I tend to suit 'summer' colours so the Browns and burgundy colours out there drain me. Boden and such like make me look frumpy.

Anyone point me in the direction of some decent dresses?

I went on a dress hunt last weekend and got a light colour denim dress from Closet plus 15% off as it was my first order. I plan to wear it with thick tights, brown knee high boots and cosy knits.
Oasis, warehouse and mango are worth a look too.

Dorothy Perkins
Mango

Phase Eight

Phase Eight dresses are the definition of frumpy to me. And they'll swamp you at 5'2.

Sugarhill Boutique

Yumi

Oliver Bonas

Trollied Dolly

Modcloth (if you don't mind ordering from the U.S.).

ASOS

I'm 4 11 and find Apricot dresses from New Look work well

I'm 5ft and wear a phase eight dress every day. They are cut for the small and curvy woman. In particular the jersey wrap dresses and tunics.

Cos isn't frumpy at all and do plain, well-cut dresses in simple shapes.

Toast can be good for simple non-frumpy shapes too, if a little utilitarian.

Both of these often have sky-blue and/or pale washed denim colours, which sound as though they may suit your colouring.

Have you got your base layer right? I find this can make all the difference between frump and no frump. Spanx and a properly fitting bras can turn a whole outfit around. I could look frumpy as hell in the most beautiful things if my underthings aren't good.

I'm 5'2 and 45 and find Phase Eight mostly too 'old' for my style. I don't find their stuff at all flattering on me either, although I v occasionally see something I like in there. Most of it is also much more 'dressed up' that I'd want to be everyday, unless at work.

Cos dresses are far too long for me, and often completely the wrong shape too. I can't imagine much from Toast working on anybody short, either.

Warehouse maybe? Although the fabrics are often crappy nowadays, sadly.

I like this but have no idea what Lyocell is.

www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/dresses-442/denim-dresses-4270438/moto-d-ring-shirt-dress-4193873?bi=1&ps=20This is v nice and is cotton.

Try Billie and Blossom (at Dorothy Perkins of HoF), Closet, Yumi, Tenki, Ruby Rocks - Apricot too, they have their own website.

I like the look of Phase Eight dresses for work, but I do wonder if they will 'age' me a bit. I've seen a lady at work wearing them and she's just turned 60. She looks good in them, but she's got nearly 20 years on me.

Depending upon budget I would look in Cos, lots of options but try on dresses you aren't sure about? Or for cheaper options I often bargain hunt in H&M and Forever 21. There's a lot of rubbish but a few gems.