Dresses

[Aparecium]

After decades in jeans-and-sweater, I'm rediscovering dresses. Where should I shop, online and RL?

I'm 5'8", size 18.
I prefer to wear natural fibres, though will wear natural/synthetic mixes. I love the flowiness of viscose.
I have a couple of dresses from Joe Brown that I love, one a boho cotton dress, the other a swishy tea dress.
Budget up to £60-£70 (is that realistic?)

Also, I see many dresses where I like the body, but the top part is strappy or low-cut. I don't really do either of those. Would it look weird to wear them over a t-shirt?

I think look at your shape and what colours and general vibe you like. Once you’ve nailed that you can buy a dress for £10 or £100 and it will be right. An expensive dress can look awful if it doesn’t really suit you. Likewise a cheapie can look stunning.

Do you know your general shape and colour scheme?

I don't like t-shirts under dresses myself.

What sort of body shape are you?

I'm enjoying wearing big, billowing dresses this year. I'd stayed away previously because I have quite a large chest and I looked enormous. I found out by accident that they're much more flattering if you size down two or even three sizes so they fit neatly on the shoulders. The rest doesn't matter as to size because they're billowy anyway

Where do you get your billowing dresses from? Thanks

Some can wear tees under dressed, some can't. It looks odd on me.

Also, you set a budget per dress, but how many dresses? If it was for up to 6 at your budget, it could be 3 higher end???

I have broad shoulders and back, and not much waist - which is one of the reasons I like the tea dress style. It curves in under my breasts, enhancing my curves and makes me look less like a tree-trunk.

I don't have a fixed number of dresses in mind. I'm happy to pay less than my max budget. Love a sale!

Then it's with checking out the dresses in the Toast sale. There are a few at the £60 ish price point!

I'm a 22 & really like FatFace - if you like Joe Browns, you'll probably like some of the patterns.
They do several dresses which are cut under the bust like the Nina.
Their stores usually only stock until a 20; but online there is more choice. Often have sales & they also have outlets at outlet malls.

Gudrun Sjoden dresses are fab, and they have a sale on. Natural fabrics, pockets - have a look. They have a shop in Covent Garden, or you can find them online. I am a size 18 and their L is about right on me.

@edoc I didn't lik them because I don't think either are in stock anymore.

The Fat Face one I have in black. Last time I looked they had it in the Next Clearance.

The Matalan one the still have in bright pink.

Check out apricot. About half the dresses are cotton or viscose and pockets!!!

Uniqlo aren't quite so flowing but worth checking

I live in dresses
Yes it's changed a lot but Boden still do great jersey dresses (get a discount code, there always is one )
I also just bought this from joules (looks better on a curvier shape than the model actually and longer on me, I'm same height as you
I've also had cracking dresses from Tu at Sainsbury's and sea salt if you filter out the weird ones

My favourite brand though is probably scamp and dude , I do love colour though

https://www.joules.com/Women/Clothing/Nia/Jersey-Beach-Dress?size=Xl&id=221836%7CGREENFLRAL%7CXL&origin=pe&CAWELAID=620016710001047162&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=&CATCI=&mch=ppc&mcpt=GooglePMax&mcpn=UK%7C%7CPM%7C%7CWomens&mct=Womens+SS&mkw=%7C%7Bproductid%7D&%24ja=tsid%3A96551%7Cacid%3A830-070-6569%7Ccid%3A18253785076%7Cagid%3A%7Ctid%3A%7Ccrid%3A%7Cnw%3Ax%7Crnd%3A5072703588551475661%7Cdvc%3Am%7Cadp%3A%7Cmt%3A%7Cloc%3A9046313&gclid=CjwKCAjwwb6lBhBJEiwAbuVUSgcYeMjNoVp5khfQQByGtE9DFOT1Op7v8OAk3D9gafmqTuBujULFQhoCU6AQAvDBwE

Have a look at Paul Costelloe and Carolyn Donnelly on the Dunnes Stores site - sorry I can't do links. They do lovely dresses.

Thanks

https://joanieclothing.com/dresses.html

Mark’s and Spencer
Fat face
Matalan
Me and em

Slightly over budget but beautiful quality cotton and linen and made in the UK Community Clothing

Agree. And helpfully they list the fabric on the main page. I find their dresses are cut nicely and they feel decent quality.

These are 95% cotton and 5% elastane so hold their shape and if I dry mine on a hanger, they don't need ironing. I've also got it in navy and black as it works with trainers, wedges or flat sandals. Also has pockets.

manamou.co.uk/collections/new-in-2023/products/tiered-t-shirt-dress-green

Fatface dresses are good quality jersey so have decent stretch so fit really well.

Some on eBay and half the price

I also have this dress which is cotton but longer, it comes in a few different colours too and stripes and again has pockets....

direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/tan-leopard-print-midi-t-shirt-dress/G007525636,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C1&clr=Tan

Thank you for the link to Manamou @Rina66.
I'd not heard of that company before.

I’d also check out vinted, especially once you’ve found a dress/brand you like (and know your size) as you’ll be able to find more on there so your budget will go further.

I was going to say this.

Once you know a brand you like and the size you are in it, just buy it on Vinted for half the price.