Is there such a thing as a really smart but cool (heat wise) dress for work?

[Flimflamberdwidget]

I need a really smart dress for external meetings (so that I don't need a jacket) but I'm menopausal and bloody boiling all the time. Does such a thing exist? Everything I find that looks nice is viscose etc. Budget is up to £100. Thanks

I would get onto second hand app Vinted and look for silk, cotton, linen, etc dresses by upscale brands like Hobbs, LK Bennett, Jaeger, MaxMara Weekend, etc.

For £100, you could easily get 8-10 dresses. Or just buy a few and save the cash for boatloads of iced coffee during your external meetings

Not sure if these two are too casual:

www.fatface.com/women/clothing/dresses/colette-linen-shirt-dress/974772.html?dwvar_974772_color=navy&cgid=women-clothing-dresses-and-skirts#start=7

www.hush-uk.com/bay-jersey-dress-abstract-animal-khaki/005421-3810.html

Definitely! Go for 100% linen and avoid patterns. I have a few black dresses. Add a blazer, smart flats, silk scarf or necklace. Easy 👌

I have lots of lovely viscose dresses which feel like soft cotton and are just as good as linen or cotton for sweatiness. Polyester obvs is a nightmare but I love soft viscose for summer. It’s not plastic like polyester is

Thanks @OwlsDance unfortunately those are a bit too casual (quite a strict dress code) I have to have my upper arms covered too.

Vinted is waaaaaay out of my comfort zone, I wouldn't know where to start!

@Mrcpy - I always end up looking crumpled and baggy in linen!

Thanks for the suggestions all. If anyone has bought anything they think would fit the bill recently, please let me know! Thanks.

Something like this from Cos? www.cos.com/en_eur/women/womenswear/dresses/product.pintucked-midi-dress-black.1073502001.html It's cotton and quite formal looking.

Or this one I'm not keen on it being baggy, but it looks fairly smart with the belt. Also cotton.

Fair enough on Vinted - it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

How about some of these from John Lewis? Check out the many filters I used for fabric, sleeve, etc Also, these are all in the sale for extra bonus savings!

www.johnlewis.com/browse/women/womens-dresses/all-offers/reduced-to-clear/knee-length/100-cotton/100-linen/100-silk/cotton/linen-blend/organic-cotton/silk-mix/day/summer/work/elbow-length/short-sleeve/three-quarter-length/_/N-flwZ1yzvw1qZ1yzwd58Z1z0qncuZlu13Zlu1qZlunqZ1z0roneZltwhZ1z00grbZ1yzy6llZ1yzkl07Z1yzkk87Z1yzkkudZ1z0rox5Z1z0rowzZ1yzf9il?sortBy=priceLow

If you're not sure about Vinted try eBay? I but most of my work wear second hand from there - Hobbs, Massimo Dutti, LK Bennett, Cos, Arket. I would never afford to buy them new.

Agree that viscose may work well. Although natural fabrics like cotton would be the best. Avoid linen for work, it takes seconds to crumple!

My tip is to wear a slip underneath

One of the Winser London shirt dresses?
this maybe

www.cos.com/de_de/women/womenswear/dresses/product.relaxed-linen-shirt-dress-blue.1055373001.html
I have just bought this dress. Well made, lovely linen. Not styled brilliantly on the site, but I am 165cm tall and got the XS. Straight hem, too, so taking up, if necessary, an easy job.
I also bought a linen dress from a company called Ecoalf.
H&M have a cooperation with Marimekko, who used to do very nice linen dresses.

I just bought this. Not many left in stock though.

I cant vouch for their claims but Ive considered these during hot moments. Hotsquash dress

patra.com/category/women/dresses - lots of cotton, silk and bamboo

I wear plain linen dresses in darker colours as they don’t show creases very much
most of mine are jaeger - try M n S online
or Poetry, Hobbs etc
www.poetryfashion.co.uk/product-UD33-POEDS/colour-j-black-fawn/dresses-skirts/buttonthrough-linen-dress.htm?Media=CMDBG048&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-pCVBhCFARIsAGMxhAfHhH0XR_UXww4NXU76e_tG54OwFey4ZErE0XrUhH2wRIq5A_MSz_waAiXZEALw_wcB