Tell me about amazing work dresses for curves

[Batinahat]

I have never owned a dress for work. I wear skirts a bit (midi length stretchy pencil style mostly) and am thinking about getting myself into dresses for work this winter. Where I work is smart casual - not suits, but not jeans if that helps?! I am curvy - size 16/18 massive boobs, bit of a stomach, 5'8" tall. Never wear heels-flats only. I think my requirement from a dress are:

• below the knee
• sleeves
• not skin tight/clingy
• comfortable
• pockets are a massive bonus!

Hit me with your recommendations if you have faithful work dresses, especially if you are a similar sort of size/shape to me.

I am hoping you can get me to a place where I actually own and wear a dress to work - so much easier to pick one thing in the morning and not have to match tops and bottoms :)

Hopeful bump...

Bravissimo clothing!

I own this in several colours and love it for work - I always get compliments and it even has pockets. If you order the "long" it should hopefully be long enough for you.

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/tara-jersey-shirt-dress/sty-j0337

Have a look at elsies attic and lindy bop.

Ah...thanks for the Boden link. I would really like to try shirt style dresses - wasn't sure how they will work with the big boobs but I figure I can wear a vest top underneath and leave a button or two undone if needed so will look at that thank you.

Yes to Bravissimo clothes - Pepperberry isn't it - I am watching some of their dresses on eBay at the moment as at least they will solve the boob issue without looking gapey or matronly like some dresses might. They don't seem to do a lot that is midi length in dresses - all seems to be summer maxis or short styles though - I will keep looking!!

@melissasummerfield am just having a look at Elsie's Attic - some good options there. Have you bought from them before? How do the sizes come up?

I find the sizing accurate in my case!

Thank you! I like that their website shows real people in the clothes :)

Diane von Furstenberg jersey wrap dresses are great for curves. Not the cheapest but brilliant quality and they last well.

I’m 5’7” and I really wouldn’t recommend Bravissimo (Pepperberry) sadly. They seem to design for shorter women; actually probably average height tbh. Skirt, body and sleeve lengths are always too short on me. And, as you’ve noticed, they don’t do many, if any, midi length dresses.

Can’t really say where is good; I’ve had some success in the past with Boden. I’m waiting on Honor and Bronte dresses so we’ll see.

Try Debenhams collection ive had a few nice jersey dresses from there. Or monsoon. X

Popsy!

I’ve bought variants of this dress in the sale before: the pic makes it look clingier than it is. V comfy. Has pockets. And I’m a flat shoe wearerwww.jaeger.co.uk/seam-detail-jersey-dress-516b8e

Ps I’m size 16 with a stomach, medium boobs though

Monsoon currently has a couple of gorgeous dresses for hourglass figures that I’ve got my eye on.

One is berry & belted, I think it’s called Bianca. The other is a black wrap dress.

Every time I post recently it's to suggest something from m&s. but m&s have a couple of dresses which may work. My favourite ever was from there - fairly close fitted but with a kind of obi tie which covered up a multitude of sins.

Also H&M have a few nice plain dresses. If you suit petrol blue they have a nice wrap dress.

Thanks for all these replies, I am working through them and checking out the suggestions. Re Pepperberry that reminds me I bought some tops there a few years ago and they were all far too short so yes suspect like pp said they design for shorter women.

Meonsea, I have that very dress! Never worn it though. This is the year...

Ps I’m size 16 with a stomach, medium boobs though

We all have a stomach, how else would we digest?

No to wrap. Make your tits look huge.

I like gap dresses.

Pedants' land??? Not that I care!

I have a couple of dresses from Navabi www.navabi.co.uk/product/fine-knit-balloon-dress-22308/?colorcode=4900&msclkid=12bac75e188213bb89989ad72d6ab302&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping_UK&utm_term=4575961239096739&utm_content=Ad%20group%20%231

Size down. They are smart enough and easy to wear.

Elapsy Womens Dresses Knot Waist... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RNQQD9Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share. I have two of these as I had so many compliments when I wore the first one. They are very comfortable, flattering, and best of all...proper pockets!!!