Summer office workwear

[OutandIntoday]

I'm really struggling to find anything nice in the shops- most things are skimpy, sleeveless, too short, cheap material. I have a warehouse, not hobbs budget and won't buy anything that needs dry cleaned.

I work in an office- don't need a suit, dress is fine, but won't go sleeveless. There seems to be a real gap in the £50 dress, £30 blouse/skirt market for nice work wear, smarter daywear. I am fed up trawling the shops- maybe it just doesn't exist in my budget. M&S used to be good but all their dresses were gastly.

I'd really like to know too

I feel your pain OP. I'm in the same boat.

Warehouse can often be good as i like their tailoring - but thin pickings atm.

Can't help I'm afraid as I'm in the same boat. Find it very depressing to find summer work wear.

I've done well in Whistles sales on work dresses, but I struggle in the office in summer too. Not helped by the fact I run very hot. Luckily we're not a very formal office.

I got this White Stuff dress recently. I think it would make good workwear. It feels lovely and light on and has elbow length sleeves. www.whitestuff.com/mobile/womens/dresses/blue-olive-plain-dress/?src=googleprod&gclid=cjwkeajwvmnjbrco2nsu-puc6ausjaaf-osulkwnzqxjb0adzdeq43iu9vaz95uqxou2e8m8uze2vroc16lw_wcb

Sorry, link.not working. It's the Olive Dress from White Stuff. It's navy not olive, confusingly...

I'm also looking for a cool but semi formal washable short sleeved dress suitable for work- not frilly or strappy or midi or see through or with a hot polyester lining. I have found nothing! I am petite so also need a shorter length. I will watch with interest. White stuff have 20percent off dresses.

I have bought a few Closet dresses for work on Asos

I wear a skirt (usually a next workwear or anything that is dark-ish and not tightly a fitted pencil shape) with a variety of blouses. If you are wearing a more formal skirt you can be a bit more out there with blouses, so a few subtle ruffles or detail or colour can be worn. I usually wear sheer tights with low-mid heel courts.

So I would look out more for skirts that suit your shape, as the tops are a bit easier to come by than skirts.

I buy most of my work clothes from Oasis. Might be worth a look there.

I've taken to buying designer work stuff new off eBay. It's a bit of a hassle, but designers tend to have much better workwear ranges for better quality. I'm so jaded with the high street workwear offer at the moment.

Boden do lots of nice office stuff

I like a silk shirt with trousers - it looks smart and I find silk feels really cool in hot weather.

I only buy silk shirts second hand - better quality for your money and, because they've often been 'saved for best', they're normally in good condition. This year I've been restocking and found 5 fairly quickly in charity shops, vintage shops/fairs and weigh & pay sales. The total cost for all 5 was under £30. I like a loose fit so don't worry too much about size.

Irrespective of any care label, I machine wash on delicate cycle inside a pillow case. Ironing is, I grant you, a bit of a faff but they feel so great that I think it's worth it.

Hi thanks for the links. Had a mooch round white stuff - i prefer stuff that is a bit more structured and, sorry for the drip feed, I'm an apple so ties round the waist are my nemeses though i love the sleeves and neckline of the Olive dress.

I am coming round to the fact that maybe skirts and a blouse are the way to go - i have only one flattering skirt atm so maybe need to focus on that. Ive got some Boden jersey dresses but i think they are too expensive and patterned on the whole.

Funnily I've never been an Oasis shopper - will need to take a look.I'm coming to the conclusion the what i want quality wise is just not available anymore with my budget- being an apple with no waist makes ebay buying tough - i struggle in rl to get clothes to fit - maybe trying on 20 things with one if i am lucky looking good /ok!

I'm an apple and have yet to find a dress that works for me. Skirts and tops/blouses are definitely better.

Esprit have some decent work dresses.

www.esprit.co.uk/womenswear/dresses/business-office-wear/soft-piqué-dress-with-a-retro-charm-047EO1E014_400

I used to love dresses but I've come to the conclusion that they're a bit of a con, especially for everyday wear. It's a nightmare finding one that fits both top and bottom half and they always need washing so you buy more. I think skirts/trousers and tops are far more versatile.