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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:
Thread gallery
29
SusiePevensie · 15/10/2023 11:27

I am utterly sick of midi length. Looks awful on me.

Bibbitybobbitty · 15/10/2023 11:31

White stuff is usually good for dresses/skirts for day wear. I'm 5'2". Not looked this season yet though.

PonyPatter44 · 15/10/2023 11:39

OP: I'd like a nice dress for work that won't swamp me and costs about £90.

Certain posters: how about this £400 sack?

WhatWillIWear · 15/10/2023 11:45

Wrong thread, @PonyPatter44?

Hmm
NatashaDancing · 15/10/2023 11:50

Lentilweaver · 15/10/2023 11:47

I would normally never suggest Roman because they are terrible. But if you want a "neat" shortish dress in 100% cotton, what about this? Purple Corduroy Tunic Shirt Dress | Roman UK Really nice colours.

You're right - on both counts.

No1MumPendant · 15/10/2023 11:53

I think I’m just resigned to waiting for fashion to move on. I don’t like any of it at the moment.

I’m desperate for tailoring to come back in. And for dress/skirt lengths to move away from long and floaty or short and straight.

Melroses · 15/10/2023 11:56

Graciebobcat · 15/10/2023 10:39

I would never bother with anything that was hand wash or dry clean only, total waste of money as I'd wear it once and never bother to clean it.

Good cotton washes well, it doesn't have to be man made.

I bought a washing machine with a hand wash cycle about 20 years ago after a moth infestation ate a lovely cardigan languishing at the bottom of the laundry basket. I stick them in that with the appropriate detergent, DCO included (apart from obvious multilayer things like coats).

mumda · 15/10/2023 11:59

I want long sleeves and pockets.

Supportyourlocal · 15/10/2023 12:01

I buy all my dresses form PLT, Boohoo, Oh polly and Fifty1 as well as various other similar retailers and all dresses have been good quality and fitted excellent.

NigelHarmansNewWife · 15/10/2023 12:11

faffadoodledo · 15/10/2023 10:24

@Lentilweaver that Brora dress - wow. But it's blimmin hand wash only

It's dry clean only that's an issue imho. Hand wash items can go on a machine handwash programme at a low temperature and speed spin. Stick them in a laundry bag or pillowcase for extra protection.

deltablue · 15/10/2023 12:12

Have a look on Wolf and Badger- they have a lovely selection of dresses from smaller designers, many around the £90 mark, some more. Quirky and different without being stupidly so!

snickersandmarsandbounty · 15/10/2023 12:14

Some nice dresses in River Island

Wexone · 15/10/2023 12:14

I don't shop anymore in high street as its just so depressing. cheap thrown together clothing so badly made its shocking. and the price of things. shop now in local boutiques stock marc o polo mos mosh river woods jane lushka. just treated my self to a long puffa coat by mos mosh. it was more expensive than high street however had half in vouchers. also the shops allow you to put by things on deposit. I only shop when I need things now. I also as know my brands do a good look on depop ebay and shop in sales too. like mint velvet too. I wnet to local town with a friend recently was shocked by what shops are charging nearly 100e foe a coat in river island and it was 100 per cent polyester so after two wears it will be all bobbly. 75e for a crappie puffa coat in Vera moda. had to stop my frimed for buying it. it was so thin

IMustDoMoreExercise · 15/10/2023 12:33

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.

Yes I am 5"1 and am really surprised that t-shirts actually fit me. Usually they are much too long.

I am very grateful, but they must be so short for people who are over 5"5

HeadNorth · 15/10/2023 12:40

PonyPatter44 · 15/10/2023 11:39

OP: I'd like a nice dress for work that won't swamp me and costs about £90.

Certain posters: how about this £400 sack?

Grin Definately not the wrong thread - most examples of 'wondrous' dresses have been expensive and sacklike with overbearing prints - as a petite woman, they would wear me.

I just use Vinted and ebay now, so I am not adding to landfill and I can afford to get it wrong. I am still wearing items from the William Morris range at H&M from around 15 years ago - they pop up on Vinted and ebay and are amazingly good quality. But the sizing is mental, so you do have to take your chances with that.

I don't find that more money always equals better quality sadly and the more expensive brands tend to cut larger, which is no good for me. Or maybe I am like Joe Orton and cheap clothes suit me because I am from the gutter Grin

LuckOfTheDrawer · 15/10/2023 12:42

I'd like some nice dresses in nice materials (maybe wool, cord, or cotton), and without any bloody patterns on them 😬.

theatrical · 15/10/2023 12:52

I'm going to have a look through the suggestions here. I was looking in the shops last weekend and so many midi dresses, and all the smocking which I'm not a fan of, though in heavier fabric like denim or velvet.

bendmeoverbackwards · 15/10/2023 12:52

I’m 5’3” and find shorter/mini dresses more flattering if you’re shorter than average.

OP have you looked at Sezane? Their archive sales are very good.

theatrical · 15/10/2023 12:54

I am still wearing items from the William Morris range at H&M from around 15 years ago - they pop up on Vinted and ebay and are amazingly good quality.

I still have a skirt from that range, pleated midi. It is good quality, I agree.

bendmeoverbackwards · 15/10/2023 12:54

I bought this recently, it’s lovely and works with bare legs and also tights and boots -

https://www.sezane.com/en/product/sol-dress/mini-flowers-on-black-background#size-6

redribbonrose · 15/10/2023 13:02

Corduroy pinafore?

DyslexicPoster · 15/10/2023 13:03

Fatface do nice dresses with pockets. I get the shorter length and I'm 5,4. The cross fronted ones with tiered layers are a reasonable safe bet to avoid no darts sack look