Help me find a nice work dress please

[cherrypied]

I need a new work dress and struggling to find one. Im a secondary school teacher.

Budget £75 as this will last several years. Will wear with black tights and loafers /DM lace ups.

So: Size 16-18, pear/ hourglass
Below Knee or midi
Pockets
Not too wooly/ warm /cosy( Hot classroom and peri. Menopausal)
Modest- up to collarbones/ shoulders covered to tops of arms
Prefer conservative pattern or plain
Conservatives colours

Business casual style
Like to emphasise my waist and skim tummy and thighs knees
Prefer pull on style for comfort rather than zips

I don't like popsy and joe browns and would not by from popsy even if the dress was perfect

Prefer cos / john lewis/ m&s/hush/and other stories/ next

Love vinted too!

Vinted is a good bet as you can look for all your favourite brands in one place.

Bit confused - have you found nothing on the sites you mention, @cherrypied?

Community Clothing?

I am avoiding work at the moment, so will accept this challenge. I saw this on another post and liked it. Bit plain but I guess that is what you want? https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/product.ruched-shoulder-detail-midi-dress-blue.1138829002.html

I also bought this lately. It looks better in real life than on the model. Again, quite plain but I wear it with nice earrings and a colourful bag. https://www.hush-uk.com/millie-textured-shirt-dress-dark-blue/007602-1624-10.html?fo_c=1586&fo_k=e8046cef6d74b14d8e75c71aa5e0c352&fo_s=gplauk&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&sv_tax3=UK_Pmax_Dresses_All+Users&sv_campaign_id=18207042213&utm_term=&sv_tax4=007602-1624-10&utm_content=gnetwork:-placement:-gchannel:x-adtype:pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3JanBhCPARIsAJpXTx6dBbJ4sCOBB10HZZWCfw9UkNUKc9EByOUDb1h8CMYYgvixVZheh3IaAo1LEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

No i haven't

But to be far they probably have 20000+ dresses on all those sites! And i am open to suggestions.

@MuddlerInLaw i like that!

@MotherofGorgons thank you i fear they are too figure hugging for my jellyfish physique

@MotherofGorgons love the blue hush dress!!

@cherrypied I really like Jolie moi!

The dresses are usually stretch jersey but super flattering!

www.debenhams.com/search/facet/brand/Jolie%20Moi?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-crxkd3ygAMVZIpQBh3WvwoXEAAYASAAEgJJhPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&text=Jolie+Moi&page=2

What about a pinafore style that you can rotate different tops/shirts under. A plain indigo one can look smart and it's practical for the classroom and a good quality denim will last ages and get softer with use...

https://www.wearethought.com/products/essential-organic-cotton-denim-pinafore-dress-1/

https://www.wearethought.com/products/essential-organic-cotton-denim-pinafore-dress/

Or cord
https://www.nobodyschild.com/black-piper-cord-pinny.html?glCountry=GB%26glCurrency=GBP&utm_source=NMPi&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PaidSearch&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3JanBhCPARIsAJpXTx7kEqpN96ZlxPd-7X6ZnGinqwUuuDy2BqPI_p_r3SFnkOX2dNL-w4EaAuS8EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Do you not buy clothes terribly often, @cherrypied? You mentioned £75 as if it were an astonishing amount, requiring justification, but if you read this thread:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4876085-why-is-everything-such-shit-quality?reply=128552431

it’ll be apparent that quality has gone down dramatically in the last few years, and spending that amount is no guarantee of a long lasting garment. You might be wise to scour the sales of some slightly more expensive brands, or include pre-owned sites if that appeals.

Sorry - you did mention Vinted!

Finery is worth a trawl sometimes. I like this. https://www.marksandspencer.com/printed-v-neck-midi-waisted-dress/p/clp22568820?color=NAVYMIX#intid=carousel_FUNH_AT_PHOENIX-SIMILAR_END_PDP_16_1:e88aed39-bb4a-4ed3-b7c7-e249262e84e5 I know you said you don't want figure hugging, but I am apple shaped and I find the more billowy and oversized the dress, the more pregnant I look. A bit of waist definition helps.

@bingohandjob i love that cord navy one but oos!

I wouldn't wear it for work though. I'd roast -I'm on the top floor of what can only be described as a conservatory also we have a no denim dress code.

The floral Jolie moi ones are nice but a but flouncy for work. But thank you 😊

Don’t know if you’ve ever looked for

Marina Rinaldi on Vinted? Some of the fabrics are not lovely, and it’s very expensive new, but as they cut for plus sizes they’ll be less skimpy than other brands, which should make the dresses last longer.

I’d certainly have thought that

Toast would suit you well - the clothes are practically indestructible so probably sell well pre-owned. Good denim dresses as well.

Crossed your comment on denim. The linen dress above would be good, if reduced in price!

Fallen down a pinafore rabbit hole and this is lovely - mentions specifically that it's light enough for the summer , they might be able to offer it a different colour?

https://www.kerriealdo.com/shop/light-denim-drop-hem-pinafore-dress-wjk6y

I really like Popsy dresses - lovely fabrics, come with pockets AND they are all very affordable.

OP says she hates Popsy:) They are very hot; 100% polyester.

Oops, missed that!

This one has pockets. Viscose.

https://www.debenhams.com/product/cotton-traders-jersey-print-knee-length-dress_p-b2f3d11c-5ad0-4b31-b7b8-81d1428b7d02?colour=Mid%20Blue

This is cotton, with pockets. Cotton

https://www.debenhams.com/product/lighthouse-clothing-lydia-dress-cotton-stretch-scoop-neck-casual-dress-with-pockets_p-0305d316-f83d-4cab-b364-8525e720a349?colour=Navy

Monsoon Blue but not denim. £35. I have this and it has been endlessly useful for work. Washes beautifully, just hang to dry. Viscose so doesn't feel hot and looks good with black tights or bare legs.

That does look like an extremely useful dress to have @myextraordinarylife. Not cutting edge style maybe, but the type of dress you can toss on that will be always appropriate and easy to wear. Quite often I need dresses like that. Which are not polyester.

https://www.broraonline.com/uk/checked-shirt-dress-hawthorn-dd8289kf8263

https://www.broraonline.com/uk/corduroy-shirt-dress-dusk-dd8245km8265

https://www.broraonline.com/uk/gingham-check-shirt-dress-fuchsia-carbon-dd2357km2313

These from Brora sale? Slightly over budget but really good quality fabric. I have the cord one and it's lovely. It comes with a belt to tie round the waist if you want.