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!

Sugar hill Brighton has some nice stuff

And bobble like hell so don’t last

cherrypied

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

Sorry, I'm afraid I haven't any useful suggestions (probably wouldn't be any use to you as my last dress purchase was the same style in three different prints from Joe Browns) but I was wondering what the problem with Popsy is?
Bad ethics or something?

Dorothy Perkins still have a website - I have had some lovely dresses from there.

M&S would be worth a look - their range has improved. Wondered if these shift dresses might work?
https://www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Jersey-Pop-Over-Midi-Dress/p/A08112

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/killick-knee-length-shift-dress

Wow lots for me to look at thanks everyone ill have a look T the links over a g and t!

@MuddlerInLaw i like the toast ones Nd some on vinted

As for popsy marketing ethics didn't sit well with me. Creating an almost cult following where people on the social media group were begging for the new dress because they couldn't afford them and were having to sell things to buy the next new "drop".

Joe browns i find a but frumpy but I'm sure there are some nice bits there!

I love those Brora corduroy dresses. Ugh, may have to buy one for autumn!

Those Brora dresses are lovely, but the website is so clunky, or is that just me?

https://www.monki.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/product.midi-shirt-dress-blue.0971855043.html I brought this dress a few weeks ago and it's one of my favourites. Really accentuates the waist, can be worn with shoes or boots, washes up really well, and the material is lovely and soft.

Seems a simple and quick site to me, I just tested it…

I’m a headteacher and wear nothing but dresses for work! I confuse people if I come in wearing trousers!
I’d recommend looking at John Lewis Kin on Vinted as well. Always good fabrics and interesting cuts / shapes. Often comes up fairly cheap on Vinted. I’d you like Toast, you’ll like Kin. Be wary of size- it’s quite Scandi/ Oversized. At 16/18, a medium could be fine.
Monki is worth a look too. I like them for interesting prints. Again, these can be found cheaply on Vinted. Often oversized again.

What I would say is get using that favourite button on Vinted. Anything you vaguely like, favourite and the algorithm gets better at suggesting other looks for you. The more you search for brands in your size, it will suggest them everytime you log in.

Have you looked at Lipsy Underbust Dresses on Next? The only thing they don’t have is pockets, but they tick every other box, and are great for work dresses

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/florrie-jersey-dress-navy/sty-j0849-npt?cat=C1_S2_G4_G532

lots of other colours available

Definitely worth looking at Monki, they have some really nice things.

And totally agree re Popsy, btw - their marketing tactics are awful...plus they're terrible quality and all sweaty, bobbly polyester!

Boden Ellen Dress is easy to wear and flattering i have it in 3 colours. suprisingly they reissues it this summer. it's great with boots or nice trainers. and it washes well and has pockets. They still have - a few decent things -

It is an astonishing amount, come on...not all of us can flash the cash.

I've got a v neck navy version of this dress from boden that's a few years old now. I wear with black tights and ankles boots in winter. I always get complimented on it. The cut and style is very flattering. I was chuffed to get a green one on vinted for £5 recently.

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/ellen-ottoman-dress-chatsworth-green/sty-j0603-grn?cat=C1_S2_G4

Great minds!

I'd only looked at responses on the first page.

Great minds indeed xx

I’ve had loads of great dresses from Roman for work. I’m a teacher and the same size and shape as you. Some of the stuff on there is very much not my taste, but they have some gems! I’ve got a green almost leopard print maxi/midi drees (I’ve been scrolling for a link but couldn’t find it a few pages in so got bored, sorry 🤣), that I always get compliments on. Definitely worth a look

Try Fatface

https://www.fatface.com/women/clothing/dresses/simone-mirrored-jersey-dress/980941.html?dwvar_980941_color=teal%20green

example and you can borrow to with pockets

found the dress i mentioned. It's a bit less bright in person, but gorgeous and people always comment on how lovely it is https://www.roman.co.uk/animal-print-stretch-midi-dress-14331931?utm_source=criteo&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=lowerfunnel&cto_pld=eQY4YS6CAAAxfrH-QXsjIA

Not everybody is minted. But everybody needs clothes that are appropriate for their workplace/life, even if they dare to be on a lower income level than others claim to be.

I have nearly all the same requirements for work dresses as you do OP! I wear the Fatface Adele dress a lot and it gets compliments all the time.
https://www.fatface.com/women/clothing/dresses/adele-shirred-midi-dress/979832.html
Also check out Boden - their cotton jersey or viscose dresses are wonderful (you can often pick them up on EBay too) and they have a sale on at the moment.

Oh I should add that I suggested the Adele because even though it’s below collar-bone level, it’s shirred so doesn’t gape or show anything if you bend over. And you can wear a little top under it too.