Why are there no WARM dresses around (except jumper-dresses)?

[CocoChanellee]

I've given up on buying any winter dresses. Apart from wool jumper dresses (I've 3 already) there's nothing.

It's all viscose.

Yes, there is some velvet and cord but nothing that grabs me. Either too party-ish or 'school pinafore' styles.

It didn't used to be like this! Years ago, there was a distinct seasonal difference in clothes. I had a beautiful wool dress from Wallis that I wore to death.

I've looked everywhere (so don't feel the need to link for me!) - usually I buy from Boden (yes, sorry), John Lewis Anyday/ And Or, the White Company, Jigsaw (but not lately), Uniqlo.

I'd personally rather wear layers and separates for work than one warm thick item like a warm dress you can't take off.

I tend to wear either cords and a jumper or a skirt/trousers top/blouse and jacket.

If it's cold like today I want to wear warm layers and non-slip boots in the daytime not a dress. I'd wear dresses for day to evening/a night out but the dress would be quite thin as I'd get too hot wearing it with jacket, tights, big coat, scarf, gloves and boots on the train.

😂 @Elastica23 , why even answer if all you are doing is telling her that she shouldn’t want what she wants!? 😂

OP: I’d like a dress
You: This is why you don’t want a dress!

The world has gone bonkers in people feeling like they need to invalidate others feelings.

So sorry OP, I don’t have any good dress suggestions, but am going Xmas shopping today and if I see anything good I’ll let you know! 🩷

The question was "Why are there no warm dresses?" My answer was because other people might not really need them.

Plus there are a ton of wool dresses around, as the OP said. They are warm dresses.

I buy dresses with long sleeves and a round neckand wear an M&S HeatTech long sleeved vest underneath.

I think in the past clothes were so much warmer. I have a stylish 1940s wool coat and it’s SO warm.
Try Vinted/eBay for some wool dresses from the 1990s

I work from home part time and have no need of formal clothes.
I spend 99% of my time in jeans, cords, Heat Tec, woolly jumpers, BUT there are times when I'd really like to wear a dress. I've 3 that are warm but they are all jumper dresses (and I sometimes were a Heat Tec under those.)

It's just struck me that looking online (eg John Lewis 4000 dresses!) that they are almost the same every season now with the exception being the colours- sludgy black or brown now for winter - or party velvet.

I had a very nice one from monsoon that was a knitted dress but they don't do them like that anymore.

Your frustration about colour sounds familiar too. I hate that in autumn/winter the options seem to be sludgey colours or black, sparkles, red, dark party colours.

There's much fewer options for anyone in the spring/summer seasonal groups.

Haha sludgy colours are one reason why I look forward to autumn / winter - it’s just as bad but the other way round when it gets to spring for me! No, I don’t suddenly suit pastels, yellow, mint, white! Where’s all the nice rich khaki, terracotta and brown gone?!

Completely agree! Some of Brakeburn's dresses are thick jersey and warm but it is a bit hit and miss. And you can't always tell online which is going to suit.

The other annoyance is, why are so many dresses three-quarter sleeved? It's 1C outside here at the moment and it's cold. I want proper sleeves (I have Reynauds so if my wrists and arms are cold I lose circulation in my fingers). And pockets. Is it really so much to ask?

I'm just making an observation really, that clothes have changed a lot.

I look awful now in black (am too old) and never wear brown.

I think it's a manufacturing, money saving thing. Cheap fabric at high prices.

I am sure that if I bought couture, there'd be plenty of lovely fabrics, but not in my price range and I'm willing to go up to £100+ for a nice dress.

Haha sludgy colours are one reason why I look forward to autumn / winter - it’s just as bad but the other way round when it gets to spring for me! No, I don’t suddenly suit pastels, yellow, mint, white! Where’s all the nice rich khaki, terracotta and brown gone?!
I think we're opposite colourings, not that I suit pastels but I like lighter colours. What I hate about spring/summer shopping is that a lot of the colours are lacking any depth behind them. Instead of nice lighter intensity colours, many shops default to synthetic/thin looking ice cream colours, or worse, neon.

It sometimes feels like most places aren't bothered about making clothes that suit real people, just churning out tat with enough 'trend' detailing that it will date. I was thrifting for winter dresses and skirts and found that so many things had annoying dated ruffles, or zips where I don't want them.

Yes completely agree about the colours. The shops are just a sea of black, drab or garish.

There isn't the demand: people don't dress as formally and offices are warm with central heating.

Also, wool is a more expensive material to work with, so budget and high street brands don't use it as much. Some people still prefer machine-washable fibres even if they're man-made/not v sustainable.
Try smaller brands.