Is it mad to spend £94 on this dress?

[Summerdaysdriftingaway]

I desperately need a wardrobe update but have v specific requirements/preferences. Has to be petite, prefer long sleeves (all the way to the wrist), high neckline, good fit. This dress ticks all the boxes but is £94! I’ve never spent that much on a dress before and I’m not sure I can justify it to myself, although I can afford it.

However I would really love a shirt dress and this is the only one I’ve come across which I like and ticks the boxes.

Sorry crossed your question!

Because the dress itself is very soft and girly looking, and also fairly generic - so it needs toughening up (hence leather belt) to make it stylish and individual.

"Elevate". Yes. That's the word I meant!

Thanks everyone, you are so very helpful! I don’t particularly have a work vs casual wardrobe as my workplace is very casual (think jeans). What I’m struggling with at the moment is having a few ‘nice’ pieces that I can wear for socialising and look good/dressed nicely. I would also ideally like to be able to wear the same clothes for work.

At the moment most clothes I have are fine but quite boring and samey.

So ... the checked dress? (Linked above.) Your sort of thing or would you prefer something plainer?

I do like the check dress although the sleeved would be too long but I could fold them over and pretend it’s a fashion rather than my short arms I am specifically looking for a couple of knee length dresses because I prefer to wear something bum-covering when I wear trousers/jeans, which is most of the time. Also I’ve already found a couple of tops to wear with my one skirt so I’m fine on the tops front (although I’m also on the lookout for a nice, petite maxi skirt but that’s less urgent).

Anyway thanks for searching out this dress! I am going to take another look in a bit and then might order it.

Aha! So essentially you want tunic-y type things? That makes it easier.

I held my nose and investigated Top Shop, which is the only place I already know does a Petit range. Most of the dresses were depressingly cheap n nasty. One cute black silk dress, not petit. But this is lovely, no?

Sorry, meant to add - several of the non-sale Soeur dresses look tiny - and might work if they don't have a defined waist. If the only issue is taking up sleeves - is it worth looking at more not petit dresses? Gives you a wider range to choose from. (I realise it might be all the proportions - shoulders for instance. Depends how much you like browsing.)

If you love it, and have a “difficult” body to dress, then order it to try. Be very honest about how much you still love when it arrives. I have a FWM dress that I wore regularly for about 20 years until I got too fat for it!

I have a coat from the same company and would say the quality is good.

Hobbs seem to have sales on all the time at the moment, you might have some good options there?

Also remember you can buy sale other size/regular length and then have them tailored, often comes in cheaper than full price. But that’s already on sale!

Sorry posted too soon—so if it’s something you would genuinely wear a lot, treat yourself

There are a couple of really nice shirt dresses in Sainsbury's. One is navy, and I nearly went for it...but shirt dresses and norks often don't work well.

Have a look at Hush. They have several of these type dresses at the moment. Regarding the price, I always spend more on fewer items, less often. So I have a few more expensive things that I don't replace very often. If you are aiming for this, then that price is fine in my opinion

What about a pinafore style dress with a long sleeve Top underneath?

Definitely needs a wide belt....

If it ticks all the boxes buy it. If you don't, it be gone and you'll be searching everywhere for something similar. The voice of bitter experience.

The OP already has the dress in her possession.

She's wondering whether to keep it.

@Summerdaysdriftingaway if you love it, keep it. Definitely.

& Other Stories. Also comes in plain black.

Cute, and the belt hoops could easily be moved. Fabric looks good.

Thanks everyone for the comments! Been a busy day doing the day job to earn my expensive dress spending money! I’ve tried it on and I don’t love it enough to justify the price, I think I may have the wrong size for me and the other prices are sold out. Oh well! I’m happy this thread has raised a few possibilities for me to explore.

@PersephonePromotesEquanimity re Soeur, I’ve never heard of them before. Have you bought from them? Do you rate them?

I think the Topshop shirt is a bit trendy for me 🙈 I’m under 40 though so maybe I shouldn’t be so staid.

@12309845653ghydrvj I’ve already shopped the Hobbs sale and am waiting for my items to arrive! Great minds 😉

& Other Stories has a few lovely dresses! I’ll have to look into the sizing but some of them could work for me

I find FWM's petite not v petite! I'm 5'7" and once accidentally ordered a petite dress and kept it...

You get what you pay for! It’s half price, good quality and will last forever. Just buy it

I haven't bought from Soeur but they come highly recommended (on the innumerable How to Dress Like a Parisienne threads). Have seen several things I'd be happy to wear - and I Am Picky. And not really one for that ditzy-chic look. (And generally willing to spend much more than they charge for clothes.)

I can't think of a single age group that couldn't wear a plain white shirt (unless eating bolognese sauce ...).

But it has that longer length at the back which gives it the trendy look 👀

It's gorgeous and a fab Make so will be a good quality. If you can afford it, go for it