I keep getting it wrong - summer workwear

[Purplepeopleeaterz]

I've now bought and returned twelve dresses that are cool in our roasting office as they just aren't smart enough garghhh.

This and similar are the ones I kept and the no print looks so much better on me though I love a print! I wear point toe ballet flats which seem to work with everything it's definitely the dresses I have picked that are wrong.

Has anybody any ideas so I don't have to send the lady in the post office into a meltdown?

Sleeveless shirt dress

Another shirt dress

https://www.very.ie/river-island-belted-button-through-dress-black/1600861775.prd?sku=sku26379036&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=WG-C&F-Performance-Max-RiverIsland-tROAS-No-Assets&&cm_mmc=Google--Generic--WG-C&F-Performance-Max-RiverIsland-tROAS-No-Assets-_-C&F&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnMWkBhDLARIsAHBOftp0dXYwuyto6emLuEfuTCybe1zZr1JuimCkBHEa8fGLQc8nPlEX7LsaAu5kEALw_wcB
this is it wish it was in other colors now loved it

It is the shoes OP, pointed ballet flats wouldn't go with either of those dresses!

Sandals or espadrilles maybe if you want a closed toe.

@Neurotic90 The ballet flats do go with both dresses which to be honest surprised me!

@Wexone lovely dress but my size has sold out, will look for something similar :)

Try next, very and ASOS they also sell River island

For work you'll get more wear and longevity from a plain colour unlike an eye catching floral print.

I am stalking this dress at the moment, waiting for it to go on sale:

https://www.hobbs.com/product/jaida-dress/0123-5508-9094L00-IMPERIAL-BLUE.html

I love Finery, you can buy direct or through Sainsburys, M&S, maybe some others

I work in finance and women definitely don't wear anything sleeveless/armpits out. Frills and flower prints would be out too, nowhere near smart enough.

@Paq thats lovely! Let’s hope there is a sale soon.

Agree plain works better for workwear, will look at Finery not one I’ve heard of.

How about a plain-coloured dress from Popsy? They are pretty much targeted at primary school teachers so they should be office-appropriate (esp. if you get a partial sleeve and check the V-neck doesn't go too deep on you).

I have, and would highly recommend, this dress:
I have been browsing at M&S and found this: https://www.marksandspencer.com/printed-tie-front-midaxi-shirt-dress/p/clp60595378?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

I know you liked print, but I've been eyeing this black dress to see if it goes on sale. The orange might be a fun summer colour too

https://www.frenchconnection.com/products/rhodes-poplin-shirt-dress-black

I also like this cotton dress in its simplicity (and chocolate brown colour is hard to find) for those without armpit hang-ups

https://www.johnlewis.com/closet-london-dip-hem-pleated-midi-dress/chocolate/p6416289

Agree, it looks unprofessional.

I love COS in that one of my best purchases was a blue t shirt dress which hung so well on me and perfect for hot days in the office. I love their unstructured style.

BUT, the stuff now seems to have dropped in quality. I'm returning two dresses today and my children told me I looked like a sprout in one. They are small but even they looked at me with confusion!

Those Poppy dresses are grim.

I wear cigarette pants, ankle length with a loose blouse, no sleeves or short sleeve.
I do a french tuck, blouse tucked in at the front, hanging out at the sides and back.
I wear flat slingbacks so I can kick them off at my desk.
I also cut the toes off socks to make myself "toe socks" so my feet don't get sweaty and smell 😁
A lot of women wear dresses but it seems too much like hard work.
I also have to go out on site at short notice (rail industry) so it's easier to slip my orange PPE over a pair of trousers, we get changed when we get to site.

it may be an error but the description for this one says 100% polyester - not cotton!

I actually didn't read the description. I was going by what the label of the physical dress is as you can see from photo attached

I basically wear this sort of thing, with heels or ballet pumps and a nice lightweight blazer:
https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/jersey-column-midi-dress-black/sty-d0613-blk?cat=C1_S2_G4

I work in finance and plenty of women wear sleeveless and have done for years. Often with a blazer or cardigan option for office a/c, but I'm not committed to keeping that on in the tube or outside in this weather

@Campervangirl I often wear trousers & a shirt/blouse especially in winter.

@Pigtailsandall Love the brown dress, it really suits my colouring. The zip looks huge & really noticeable but I guess that's the point of the design?

@ThisIsACoolUserName Sadly Jersey is not my friend since gaining lbs

@Meepme I'm trying to imagine a dress that would make someone look like a sprout :D

Shoulders on show in a sleeveless Hobbs shirt today but unless I start doing the YMCA nobody can see my armpits so we are all good - its far too hot for any of those shenanigans!

Who has said your dresses/clothes aren’t appropriate/suitable?

Your boss @Purplepeopleeaterz

No sleeveless in our finance environment either. Besides no time for armpit faff.

I live in a hotter climate than the UK and find lightweight pants + plain top infinitely easier in summer.

No worries about legs - chub rub, can you see too much thigh, am I too pale/bruised etc. A wider range of shoe styles works. Top length and weight can be tweaked to suit weather inside and outside the office. More than 1 wear from the pants - less washing and ironing. Better chance of a good fit if you are longer or shorter in the body than usual.