Where to buy trendy, non-frumpy dresses

[mindandsensespurified]

Just that really. On the rare occasions I go out I never know what to wear as all my clothes are either casual or mumsy. I'd love to have just 1 gorgeous dress to throw on which makes me look great - trendy but not "mutton dressed as lamb" (I'm late 30s), flattering but not frumpy. I'm not one for heels so something that goes with trainers or boots. Any suggestions re where to look? Budget wise up to about £200. Thanks in advance!

Not looked at their new season collection but All Saints?

Zara, Reiss, & other Stories?

You have broken all the S and B rules in in one post. 😀Used the word frumpy. used the phrase "mutton dressed as lamb" etc. Shortly someone will be along to tick you off, but in the meantime...

What is your taste? I am a boring and conventional dresser who does not like the oversized baggy floral dress trend. So I am going to be buying some of the cord dresses in Brora, Cos or elsewhere on the high street in deep jewel colours to wear with boots.

@Lentilweaver oh dear 😬 will be more careful with my language in future!!

I don't actually know what my taste is for smarter clothes nowadays... day to day I tend to wear dungarees or mom jeans with t-shirts. I'm fairly happy with my daytime look - if I had to name it I'd say children's tv presenter vibes?! 😂 But when it comes to going out in the evening I'm totally lost. Cord dresses sound nice, will look up the brands you mention. Thanks!

Thanks! Never shopped in all saints as I assumed it was for tall willowy women (which I am not, alas), but will take a look with an open mind. Thanks for the other suggestions too 😊

This would suit me for instance ( sadly sold out). But may not be to your taste. You can find more luxe versions. https://www.albaray.co.uk/products/cord_belted_midi_dress?variant=43314990285037&currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9rSoBhCiARIsAFOiplnfSZa-GyBx7SvRhs3HylpQdHDbdk3KCQoeohi9Xk_8SG32tlfZ-pAaAs0TEALw_wcB

I am definitely not tall and willowy @mindandsensespurified and have bought a few bits from there this year.

For more casual 'going out' wear I'm liking high waist jeans paired with a shirt and smart trainers.

Zara?

Silk fred

Kitri, Never Fully Dressed (hate the name)

Scamp and Dude is what you need!

New Look. There are some gems to be found!

I came on to suggest Hush (a bit overpriced but nice styles)…but given your dungarees/childrens TV presenter vibe, why not embrace it and try Lucy & Yak, Joanie or I think someone has already suggested Scamp and Dude.

Im a big Vinted fan, but the Lucy & Yak ebay shop sometimes has bargains too.

Nobody's Child

Thanks so much for the suggestions- will take a look at all these brands 😊

Have a look at M&S as they currently have some of their dresses reduced. They have other brands online not just their own so you can see lots of different options in terms of style, quality etc in one place. M&S are good for delivery and also returns!

I like Ba&sh.

I like the Cub and Pudding Hopscotch Dresses. I've got two so far. Love them. They are so well made.

https://cubandpudding.com/collections/dress/products/hopscotch-strawberry-milkshake-dress

Otherwise, I'd say Hush, Nobody's Child, Albaray, Scamp and Dude, Friends Like These (Next). I'll come back if I think of more, I've got a bit obsessed with dresses this year. So easy to chuck on and feel sorted. Not looking forward to the colder weather and having to add more layers, I like to just chuck and go. 😃

(I slightly misread your op, sorry I'm a dick, but I'm still going to recommend the Hopscotch dress for going out on a more casual outing. You can easily dress it up, it's really versatile.)

What about Toast? I think they’re a bit Marmite on here, but I’ve got loads of their throw-on dresses and they’re so beautifully tailored and put together.

Agree. Though quality sometimes
awful. I’d pay more for their designs in better quality fabrics.

I'm 44 and like to look reasonably trendy for my age, from that I mean I stick to what has worked for me since my late 20s, so I like floral dresses, tea dresses, wrap dresses, collared dresses, all minis as I have good legs and big boobs so maxi, midi etc make me look incredibly barrel shaped. I also love a onesie and short skirts with jumpers in the winter. I like Mango (watch out for the polyester though) Nobody's child are so gorgeous and I would buy it all of I could. A few retro inspired bits from Joanie too.

Just to add day to day its jeans, tshirts, maybe a nice shirt and in the winter I love a jumper dress.

Oh dear! I know it’s considered poor form here to excoriate other posters’ taste - but those Cub and Pudding clothes really do look like children’s clothes to me. So I wasn’t surprised to read that that’s where the creator began.

Most of the sub-£200 sources I’m aware of have already been mentioned - and apart from spur of the moment Zara purchases I’d always rather look for ‘better’ reduced in the sales.

This site is fairly new to me - some of the dresses are quite cute, some quite extravagant looking.

https://deakudibal.co.uk/collections/dresses?filter.v.availability=1&p=3

Sister Jane hasn’t been mentioned. Some breathtakingly pretty dresses - though I’d be happier if they were all made in a croft in the Highlands, maybe, or at least a local factory in Lancashire.

https://sisterjane.com/

It's fine Edmontina, we all have different tastes. I love mine and it makes me feel really happy. Love a bit of colour in my day to day. I like a range of styles. Why stick to just one style? Boringggg.

Sophie Ellis Bextor loves hers too, so at least I'm not alone in loving the style. 💕 I'll look at your links, I'm sure they're lovely. 🙂