Can I wear this to work?

[ApplePayMe]

Dreading my upcoming month at work. I have an important set of clients visiting my office, with the most senior person in my company & a board of directors in attendance. Office dress code is usually smart-casual though more smart for these visits.

I am not sure what to wear to make a good impression, as I have put on weight recently and feel anything that clings to my stomach or waist looks bad. I’m a petite size 12 Apple

What do you think of a dress like this, ie satin material, midi or maxi length. I would wear with opaque tights and maybe heeled boots. Could throw on a blazer or jacket on top, or a jumper if needed? Just feel it’s a more forgiving material on my arms/torso.

Belinda blinked.
If you know, you know.

Thank you for being one of the only posters on this thread that gave advice and didn’t jump on the pile on.

wherethewildtbingsgo's other post is helpful too. She's obviously a much nicer person than me.

OP, tbh, those dresses are so unsuitable I thought this was a wind up.

And me @IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle I think I was in shock 😬

just to prove I’m not a complete monster op, this one is nice (maybe a bit too high slit?) if you don’t want black

https://www.johnlewis.com/closet-london-wrap-kimono-dress/p109488876?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

Or this?
https://www.johnlewis.com/inwear-catja-wrap-midi-dress/p109684839?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

I like the midi one, definitely not the long one.

Had a look on the website- even the midi one has a split - save it for evening wear. Might be ok for the Christmas party. Lovely dress though.

Apples should not wear anything that ties at the waist - the bow enlarges the apple.

Wow, the comments on this are shocking! Well done to the people who actually commented with helpful links. OP, the material isn’t appropriate for work, but I don’t see a problem with the style of dress. I see a lot of ladies dress in similar style dresses at work, I’m unsure where the other ladies work and how they and others dress? But I don’t find this offensive.

Although I like both dresses I don’t think either would be suitable for what you’re looking for.
i think it’s the shiny material, they look more suited to a much more casual occasion.

No - they are lovely but absolutely not for work!

I honestly thought this was going to be a jokey 'why cant I wear my lovely dressing gown to work?!' post from the pictures. No judgement, wear what you like but consider that 'why is she in a dressing gown' may cross people's minds.

No to the navy but yes to the red. I worked in a well known law firm and wouldn't have batted an eyelid at our female execs wearing this. They were a stylish and often quirky bunch. Always stood out individually. Black dresses with massive red leather bow belts. Pale blue leather biker jackets over dresses, denim mini dresses with ankle boots. All in their 40's. The key was their clothes looked expensive, and were, so make sure the dress is a good cut.

I like satin too, I have a couple of satin tunic dresses that I wear with tall boots.

The dresses in your OP aren't work wear though, they're dresses for holidays or an evening meal out.

Honestly, M&S are really good for work dresses! They have some really nice styles, for all ages. Button up midaxi dresses are nice for work (with boots) in the winter. They look nice with a cropped jacket or cardigan.

The red dress

I am a partner in a big regional law firm - that's not a work dress. Like PinkArt I thought this was a joke or a wind-up.

Ah. Magic circle here. The multi national influence probably makes a difference @IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle

Ooh get you. Us poor provincials not turning up to work in £50 quid SilkFred dresses.

Have to say I've never seen anyone at Sinclair Gibson or Hunters/ May, May Merrimans dressed like when I've been down for meetings.

Ridiculous. Black straight leg trousers and a top which covers your tummy. Your clothes need to be the least noticeable thing about you.

Why do you keep posting? I don’t find any value in your continuous posts and would rather you stopped. There’s other threads you can use to occupy your time in a hopefully more helpful manner.

Are you confusing Magic Circle with Legal 500, @IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle?

I’m wondering what kind office you work in that this might be considered appropriate. It looks like a glamorous dressing gown to me.

Seriously, men just wear suits and then people don’t look at their clothes, they listen to what they’ve got to say. Wear the equivalent - bland, corporate, unexceptional, professional - and impress them with your expertise, not a dress.

No I'm quite aware of what the Magic Circle is. My own field is Private Client and I tend to deal with old school, London private client firms.

I'm perfectly aware of what Legal 500 is (I'm rated quite highly in it).

My own field is Private Client and I tend to deal with old school, London private client firms

Yes old school probably wouldn't appreciate our c-suite. Our private clients are probably a very different demographic.

"This is the style of dress the most senior women in my company wear though, which is where I’m plucking inspiration from"

I don't believe you. Unless you work in a dressing gown factory and the staff have to wear the products.