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Original poster

DRESSES- what on earth is going on this season?

275 replies

IslandsInTheSunshine · 15/10/2023 08:42

So, I decided to wean myself off boring trousers and tops and try to wear more dresses over the winter.

What can I find in shops and online? Next to nothing.

Everything looks like it's designed for giants (I could fit 2 of me into most of the floaty offerings.) And VERY long even for me as an average 5 4". There are some knitted dresses around but they are shapeless and huge.

Or the fabric is thin and more suitable for summer.

My go-to in the past has been Boden (sorry folks.)
But this season it's all garish prints (again) or black/ navy and either super-clingy or with low V necks, etc etc etc. And the knitted dresses are £130 (okay- you can get a 20% discount but still....)

I'd spend up to £90-ish for something nice (I work from home so don't need formal stuff).

OP posts:
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29
WhatWillIWear · 15/10/2023 08:50

The people wearing all the totally wondrous dresses around at the moment definitely aren’t buying them from Boden …

Nitgel · 15/10/2023 08:52

Uniqlo have some nice wrap dresses and merino wool dresses.

Lentilweaver · 15/10/2023 08:53

I am just going to suggest Sister Jane before anyone else does because it seems to be the thing to do! 😀Sort of the anti-Boden.

Workawayxx · 15/10/2023 08:57

I like nobody’s child for dresses. I’m 5’3”. They have some in petite range too if you want a did that will not be too long (I know 5’4” is technically too long for petite!). They’re not all super thick/warm but I wear a thermal long sleeve too or polo neck underneath.

No1MumPendant · 15/10/2023 08:57

It’s dire, I agree.

The High Street seems to have decided that they were on to such a good thing with flogging us made-in-China, Shein-quality floral sack dresses en masse that they are determined we’ll all be wearing them for winter, too.

I’m really sick of fashion right now. Dresses are shapeless. Tops are too short. Shoes are ugly. It’s hard to get excited about anything, and I usually love autumn/winter shopping.

2jacqi · 15/10/2023 08:58

having been shopping recently, I have yet to find any decent dresses!! the styles seem to be the same in all the shops as if they are all by the same designer and I can honestly say that I refused to wear that style of dress the first time round so I aint even looking at it the second time round!!! I even saw a crimplene dress!!! honestly, bloody crimplene!!!! Ihavent worn that since I was12 and it first came out!!! It will be jeans and trousers for yet another year for me!!! btw I am 5 feet tall so absolutely everything needs shortened so it changes the dress so much and there is always way to much fabric for a small woman to wear!

No1MumPendant · 15/10/2023 09:00

I’m 5’11 and a 12-14 hourglass and most of the ‘midi’ dresses in the shops over the past couple of years are calf-length and sack like on me. I’m drowning in them!

I can’t imagine how average height/ shorter or very slim women find them?!

SaturdayGiraffe · 15/10/2023 09:00

I’m blaming the H&M group because they’re so massive now and seem to cover half the high street (H&M, Monki, & Other Stories, Arket, Cos, Weekday). Once they decide a fashion, that’s it, flooded.

HeadNorth · 15/10/2023 09:03

WhatWillIWear · 15/10/2023 08:50

The people wearing all the totally wondrous dresses around at the moment definitely aren’t buying them from Boden …

Edited

So where are they buying them?

No1MumPendant · 15/10/2023 09:07

I’d like to know where the wondrous dresses are, too!

gotomomo · 15/10/2023 09:08

Most of mine are from an independent boutique that stocks seasalt, minstrel, weird fish and more. Usually cheaper than buying from the mall too. Bought two lovely ones this season

Lentilweaver · 15/10/2023 09:19

I just ordered this from Brora. Any good? They also have some lovely cord dresses. Dusk Corduroy Shirt Dress | Midi & Maxi Dresses | Brora (broraonline.com)

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

Coffeepot72 · 15/10/2023 09:21

Fat Face Have some nice dresses at the moment

ichundich · 15/10/2023 09:21

I buy from charity shops and Vinted as I find highstreet shopping boring, expensive and demoralising. Reasonable charity shop bargains are harder to find these days, but yesterday I got an as new Ted Baker winter dress from Barnado's for £6.

Ilikeyourdecor · 15/10/2023 09:37

Vinted for me. I just filtered for dresses in the fabric I wanted and found some really nice things.

Original poster
IslandsInTheSunshine · 15/10/2023 09:38

Sorry but their knitted dresses are huge (long) and shapeless. And the others are really thin fabric like summer clothes.

OP posts:
Original poster
IslandsInTheSunshine · 15/10/2023 09:39

No1MumPendant · 15/10/2023 09:00

I’m 5’11 and a 12-14 hourglass and most of the ‘midi’ dresses in the shops over the past couple of years are calf-length and sack like on me. I’m drowning in them!

I can’t imagine how average height/ shorter or very slim women find them?!

Edited

We find them unwearable and don't buy any!

OP posts:
Original poster
IslandsInTheSunshine · 15/10/2023 09:40

Workawayxx · 15/10/2023 08:57

I like nobody’s child for dresses. I’m 5’3”. They have some in petite range too if you want a did that will not be too long (I know 5’4” is technically too long for petite!). They’re not all super thick/warm but I wear a thermal long sleeve too or polo neck underneath.

Thanks. I have some NC for the summer but this season they are all very thin, as you say.

OP posts:
Blankscreen · 15/10/2023 09:42

I'm a bit over dresses as the moment.

I'm 44, 5ft 6 and a size 12 with big boobs.

I've realised most dresses look bloody awful on me and actually make me look frumpy.

Some of the things in the shops are just hideous patterns and look like they are out of 'last of the summer wine'.

Divebar2021 · 15/10/2023 09:44

can I ask where you’ve looked so far - and what are you actually looking for… shirt dresses, jersey, knit?

littleteapot86 · 15/10/2023 09:44

WhatWillIWear · 15/10/2023 08:50

The people wearing all the totally wondrous dresses around at the moment definitely aren’t buying them from Boden …

Edited

i would love to know where they're buying them from too...?!

Icedlatteplease · 15/10/2023 09:44

I have some lovely stuff from uniqlo. Knit dresses and some of their summerweight cotton dresses I plan to wear with polo/roll necks

LlynTegid · 15/10/2023 09:49

No suggestions sorry, just agreement about the lack of choice available.

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