Stepping away from the viscose floral midi. Where to find simple, good quality day dresses?

[LaChienneDesFromages]

Is there anywhere that’s not now a forest of pattered midis? I’ve tried Hobbs, Boden etc. All to no avail. Everything is viscose or polyester, patterned, thin fabric, with random tie belts, ruffles or bits hanging off it. Lining dresses seems to be a thing of the past. Nothing in cotton, silk or wool.

I know some people love these styles but they really don’t do it for me. I’m older, not as slim as I used to be and I want elegant, durable, flattering dresses I can wear with lovely accessories. I’m willing to pay good money for them, and I can’t be the only one!

I did pick up a simple denim skater dress in Whistles but everything else in there was also a bit grim. I’ve got a couple of smart work dresses from The Fold but they are too smart for casual or day to day work wear.

Is it just a case of trawling through in hope, or are there any brands that are still reliably elegant and good quality?

https://www.katebarton.co.uk/

I think these dresses might be worth a look. She has some nice winter needle cord and denim dresses.

I really like Nobody's Child. Very good quality, wash well, and nice thick fabric. Love the styles too, although they run small, so size up!

Agree. Liking their clothes and also I’m finding them they respect a lot the sizes unlike another brands. Shame they’re so expensive so can’t afford many

I buy from White Stuff and Sea Salt.

Oooh I spend my days in Sweaty Betty's covered in muddy paw prints - I would love some nice casual dresses for weekends.
I struggle as I am also 5ft 10in & dresses need to be long enough to be decent but not look like a sack or frumpy

I have four plain linen dresses from Seasalt and one pinafore. I don't intend buying another dress for many years!

As a pp said I also wear separates a lot.

I’ve just ordered one thanks to you!

Poetry and Wrap do these sort of things.

Winser London maybe?

I have rediscovered Great Plains - and Thought clothing - although you have to wade throiugh some bad patterns with them. Also finery is good

The stuff in M&S and Fatface was shocking

Had a mooch on the high street today

Horrible gaudy fabrics, patterns and colours

Cos, Arket, And/Or, some Masai, Thought, Kin (though I understand this is now discontinued line) - I buy in the sales/Vinted. You can filter Vinted by material which helps!

Nobody’s Child maybe? They definitely do some natural fabrics. More expensive but Ganni are good for less man made fabric.

@stclair - I’ve just ordered a dress too. Which one did you go for?

I quite like her stuff, although steer clear of any pintucks and the odd ruffle. The fabrics she uses all seem to be natural.

Why was Kin discontinued ?

Not a dress wearer but does this fit the bill? Bit of nylon though.
https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/folk-song-knitted-midi-dress

@Ohyeahwaitaminute I’ve gone for the tassel tie needle cord in spruce. They look a
little like the Baukjen style dresses which I get along with.

Placemarking as haven’t got time to post now, but I’m looking for exactly the same thing.

I tried that on recently. It’s a gorgeous dress and very flattering but the fabric is a little itchy for me. I’d recommend the dress to anyone who is more tolerant of itch, as it’s lovely in every other way.

Lots of pure wool jumper dresses and normal dresses here.

https://www.poetryfashion.co.uk/search.html?term=Wool+dress

Aspiga? Some of it is ditsy, but as much is quite wearable.

Another vote for ME and EM - not cheap but very well made , good fabric and the cut is good.

Ha!

Arket, Cos, Poetry, Wrap, Hobbs have individually nice stuff but in general a bit drab.

I buy DvF, Issa, Rixo, Kooples, Agnes B, Joseph on Brand Alley or Ebay.

I always find Yoox.com good - a European site (owned by Netaporter now I think ) as the obsession with florals has not infected the rest of Europe.

Have a look at Seasalt, I’ve had a number of lovely plain linen summer dresses. I know what you mean about viscose and polyester!!!