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

I recently discovered a brand called Apricot who do some nice stuff for work. Mainly dresses but I got a lovely wide legged jumpsuit which got lots of compliments.

This is the one https://www.apricotonline.co.uk/tie-front-jumpsuit/Js158207-Navy.html

How about a silk shirt with a skirt or trousers if you want smart but cool?

Silk is brilliant for keeping cool much better than cotton or linen. You could go sleeveless or short sleeves or long sleeves rolled up.

I'm in law and my current office is more relaxed but when I was in a smart office wide leg trousers and an airy blouse were my go to for a boiling hot office with no Aircon (listed building) Plus a jacket that could be added for court/clients.

Have you tried Zara? They have lots of dresses suitable for office on sale, I’ve recently bought myself a green linen short sleeve shirt dress for work. I don’t wear sleeveless to the office myself as I have a tattoo on my shoulder from when I was 16, but I think it’s fine if it’s the right dress.

Have you tried nobody’s child? They have lovely print dresses but also lots of lovely black ones that are smart but summery. Reasonably priced too

Skirts and a white blouse or loose shirt is my go to in summer. You can mix and match them for more variety and if you stick to white tops they go with anything.

@Purplepeopleeaterz , the dress linked in the OP doesn't even look great on the model.
Shirtdresses need to have a bit of drape.
I'm not a fan of wrap dresses, I prefer something that skims my body.
I won't wear a flared skirt or a sleeveless top, or puffed sleeves, or the loose tiered dresses.

@Verbena17 No my boss hasn't said anything, I just look at myself in what I have bought and it just doesn't look right? Probably partly a body shape issue, looks great and smart on the model but not so much on me!

@Eatingsoupwithafork the linen blend dresses linked are from Apricot and I think look smart, I'm steering clear of prints now as I think that was part of the problem?

Thank you everyone for all the links, I have been on Vinted and picked up some lovely LK Bennett & Reiss dresses and some Hobbs shirts & trousers. Lower cost if I got anything wrong again & I will probably sell many of my prior mistakes there.

I do like Zara but the sizing is crackers!

You need a slip. M&S have some cooling slips in different lengths.

I’ve got this one. I bought it in petite length as I’m short but they obviously do a regular length too. Fabric is quite heavy enough so it hangs beautifully but it’s lovely and cool. You can dress it up with heels/courts or down with flat sandals or trainers.

https://www.hobbs.com/product/petite-elsa-dress/0223-5801-9021L04-GREEN-BUTTERCRM-14.html?istCompanyId=824f54ea-0a39-4058-b121-eab9ef4683b0&istFeedId=a9d2ecb5-7948-4311-bf28-478db37f38b6&istItemId=rmlqatxml&istBid=t&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=18056921002&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1LTIot-IgAMVrItoCR27MA98EAQYAyABEgImJfD_BwE

Definitely steer clear of polyester. Go for natural fabrics but I would avoid pure linen as it creases badly. Def not smart enough for office. AllSaints does a fantastic linen silk mix fabric. Doesn’t crease and it’s lovely and cool. Viscose is another good fabric for summer. Or viscose and linen or silk mix. These sort of fabrics are my go to in summer.

I just discovered this one:
hanah.co.uk/products/ruby-maxi-dress

or this one
www.albaray.co.uk/collections/dresses/products/painted_meadow_organic_cotton_v_neck_dress_ss23

try COS - they have a good selection of linen garments

@RandalsAunty the Hobbs dress is lovely, I’ll have a look at AllSaints too, I’d assumed anything viscose would be hot and sticky until I read here.

@cactidream the Albaray dress is gorgeous, I have a similar cotton dress but wasn’t sure if it was more casual wear. It’s on the wish list though!

This is my most recent “for work” purchase. I wore it for the first time this week and got compliments from colleagues, pupils & parents!

https://www.hobbs.com/product/sandra-dress/0223-5885-9045L00-GREEN.html#cgid=clothing-dresses&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0223-5885-9045L00-GREEN&pos=16

This is currently on my wishlist. Comes in black too

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.sleeveless-midi-shirt-dress-blue.1177079002.html

I prefer the Hobbs one, but I don't like sleeveless on me.

The Hobbs one above is 100% polyester although the colour is fab. That's why I linked the cos one, even though it's similar. That one is cotton.

Then I don't like the Hobbs one.

@HideTheCroissants I love a shirt dress and that's a great one style wise but the fabric is a no for summer. I could wear it in Autumn/Winter with a cropped blazer/cardigan/jacket though.

@Pigtailsandall The Cos one is lovely & its cotton! Might be a bit long as I'm only 5' 3 but will order and see.

People are always confused on these threads about the fact that different work environments can have differing dress codes/requirements.

I think you kind of just have to trust that if someone says sleeveless is OK in their office, then it is...and vice versa.

FWIW I have two pairs of wide-leg drapery tailored trousers (sort of culottes) from Next in navy and grey that are absolutely invaluable in warm weather. They look really smart and chic with flat leather sandals and sleeveless blouses (OK in my office!). I also have two slightly cropped cotton cardigans from TU that are great for when the aircon kicks in.

My other summer favourites are shirt dresses from Next and Monsoon, ideally ones I can wear out of the office too.

@Belmondo , if that was aimed at me, my dislike of sleeveless isn't to do with dress codes, I just don't like sleeveless dresses on me.

I've worked in offices where sundresses or board shorts and flip flops were acceptable but my arms and toes are better mostly covered

@Belmondo exactly.

No @FayCarew, not aimed at any specific poster in particular, just wanted to highlight that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all "professional" dress code!

There isn't. I've worked in offices where different departments had different dress codes.
I'd generally say nothing too tight and not too much flesh on show, clean and not tatty is a good general rule of thumb, but it depends on the job.