Styling this dress for the office?

[IceWaves]

Got a meeting in London next week. Just tried on this dress and it fits fine (thank god, I've put on some weight recently but it hides most of it 😂) and white trainers go nicely.

I want to smarten it up a bit with something over the top but unsure what? I tried a black blazer (it goes over the bum) which didn't really suit... any other ideas? Shorter black blazer maybe?

Stupid questions I know but I always work from home so never have to worry! Office you can get away with trainers if the rest of you is relatively smart...

Would help if I linked the dress would it it 😂

www.izabel.com/products/d515715

As the dress has a navy background that would seem the most suitable colour for any jacket. This might work with some polished boots but I’m not sure how it would look with trainers.

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/coats-and-jackets/product.double-breasted-wool-blazer-blue.1169203002.html

Tbh the sleeves of the dress suggest it’s really not meant to be worn with a jacket. So if the weather isn’t warm enough to wear it on it’s own I’d choose something else.

It's a nice dress, but I'm afraid I don't think it's going to smarten up at all. It's just very summery and relaxed, and I can quite see why a blazer didn't work. I'm not convinced a shorter blazer would be any better; it's just such a different aesthetic.
If you like floral and flared/tiered, I think sleeveless would be better as then it will probably suit a blazer.

I think it’s a nice dress but it is very casual, if you’re wearing trainers with it what about a denim jacket or would that be too casual for the office? Or what about a heel and a leather jacket?

Thanks guys, starting to worry it's a bit casual, back to the drawing board (and seeing how much weight I can lose in a week )

I would pick up the beige or grey lighter colour and find either a fitted cardigan or blazer. Just below waist length, and nipped in at the waist.
this one comes in grey and pink and is shown with a flowy dress.
https://www.johnlewis.com/ted-baker-elliian-wool-blend-wrap-cardigan/light-pink/p111269882

I agree with others saying it’s too frilly and flouncy to smarten up

That's a very warm cardie for this time of year. It is a nice look though.

I agree a beige cardi could be the way to go - I've got a few of these of these M&S ones which are fine in our office - it's a nice dress btw
https://www.marksandspencer.com/crew-neck-button-front-cardigan/p/clp60510060?color=BEIGE#intid=pid_pg1pip15g4r1c1
you could go beige or black

What industry are you in OP? That dress would be absolutely fine and not too casual where I work.

Short boxy cream tweed number- unless that’s too hot? You could pick up at M&S

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-tweed-collarless-short-jacket/p/clp60639223?color=IVORY&prevPage=srp#intid=pid_pg1pip15g2r1c1

kept open

I would wear a long, lightweight trench. I am in Scotland mind you so it's always colder!

It's not a very officey dress.

It's described as "navy" but looks black in the pictures, which makes me think it'l be difficult to match to any kind of dark jacket. It doesn't look like a jacket kind of dress, but if you want to go down that route, i'd look for something cropped, beige and maybe linen.

It needs careful accessorising to be more formal. I would try belting it, and go for smart shoes. Not sure how it would work with a blazer/jacket.

Here is a cropped tan blazer with cropped ruched sleeves, great price. Unlined, stretchy, faux pockets
https://www.qvcuk.com/nina-leonard-shirred-sleeve-cropped-blazer-jacket-button-closure.product.198383.html

Another cropped one here, slightly more formal, by Apricot so you might find it near you in a New Look store. The photo here is green but it comes in cream which would pick up the floral pattern in your dress.
https://www.qvcuk.com/apricot-fringed-cropped-blazer.product.405479.html

Another formal one in cream
https://www.qvcuk.com/ruth-langsford-boucle-jacket.product.405326.html

It's a nice dress but maybe a bit frilly and pretty for the office?

I’ve got my eye on this which is kind of a cardigan but more contemporary https://www.whistles.com/product/collarless-jersey-jacket-32683.html#cgid=Jersey_Jackets_Clothing_WW&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=collarless-jersey-jacket-32683&pos=6

i think the sleeves being synthetic chiffon will squash fine under a jacket and be none the worse for it

I agree. That isn't a casual dress in my book either. If anything I would look overdressed where I work.

I think it is a lovely dress.

I am puzzled by most of these replies, I work with a variety of professions, including some quite fancy ones, and this dress would be fine pretty much most places. In many, hardly anyone wears dresses! If it's a slightly more formal type of an office, I'd go with white trainers (smart ones? not jogging ones) if that's what you like and a top/shirt/jacket that picks up one of the colours, as others have suggested.

Office-wear isn't very formal these days, although lots of women do wear midi-dresses. This is pretty and wouldn't make you overdressed.

Thanks all for the subsequent posts!! I'd resigned myself to not wearing it but honestly it doesn't look to summery on, if that makes sense.

I'm in financial services but pretty much all the women wear trainers (smart) or some sort of pumps so no one would bat an eyelid at that.

If it makes a difference (and it shouldn't, I know, but kind of does add context) it's an all day meeting with 13 other people and they are all men. A few British and then some German / French / Spanish. I know they will all be in the smart casual uniform of chinos, shirt, casual blazer....

Does this change any opinions? I'm honestly open to outfit suggestions at this point 😂 5 ft 4 and between a size 12 and 14

Thank you 😃

Is it black or navy? It looks black in the photo. I'd wear a short black jacket or shaped shirt on top, the dress and smart white leather trainers and a cool bag (black or whatever you have). It's all in the way you style it. I don't think many people are belting this type of dress or wearing heels with it, again, I'm puzzled about some of the suggestions on here! Nice jewellery, sunglasses if you need them, it's the put together look but it isn't formal these days.

I think it's fine for the office, I'd wear it with a short navy blazer.