Looking for elegant dress for Board meeting

[Puppalicious]

I want to look classy and elegant at an upcoming Board meeting, and I think I fancy a dress. Probably in navy or black - I do have a penchant for bright colours but now I want to look like a grown up. I do have wide leg back and narrow leg navy Joseph trousers, which I could pair with a nice blouse (I have bright green and white but wore the white one recently and green might be too bright) so will accept suggestions there too. But for some reason fancying a dress. I have big boobs so v necks suit but not sure in fashion and cleavage can be an issue! So classy, elegant, maybe a bit quirky/with a twist. Budget up to about £500. Hit me with your suggestions - thank you!

I wear a lot of Jigsaw.

Libby London have some beautiful work dresses. I've had some nice tops from Sezane and Marella.

Good luck at the board meeting!

Look at Maje, Sandro, Marella

Anything you fancy here?

https://thefoldlondon.com/workwear/dresses/

I like the Hugo boss dresses but I worry they might be a bit booby. BTW I’m size 10 5”5 but with a tummy. Definitely think some of those fold dresses might meet the brief. Thanks everyone!

Whose opinion do you think of when you want to look 'elegant'?

If your own or colleagues similar to yourself then fair enough but if you're wanting certain colleagues to look at you and think this then we need either inside info or some details that we can stereotype.

My board meetings look like something time forgot because serious business wear is a suit and nothing else will do!

You wouldn’t distinguish any important work days from the rest? I find that surprising. I would definitely dress differently for an event rather than my day to day, a board meeting is an important event in many fields.

www.karenmillen.com/BKK17461-166-14.html

That Max Mara 2 dress screams confidence and style. Most of the Fold dresses look clingy and a bit old-fashioned to me.

Really? I think it sets such a good impression for the staff. We have a new SMT who have adopted a very casual approach to dressing and to be quite honest there's not one member of staff in our small 30 employee organisation who doesn't think they all need a wardrobe overhaul. The world has lost such a lot of respect for itself, its really important people regain respect for themselves.

Actually I agree that 2nd dress is lovely.
re the audience, mostly fairly staid men in their late 50s or 60s, with a couple of slightly quirkier women. Want to mostly look elegant for me, not sure I’m being taken seriously enough with my bright colours. I’m the youngest in the room by almost a decade (and I’m not that young)! It would be nice to find something I feel hoppy in, suitable, but isn’t old school dinosaur suit!

Ahhh, max mara dress not available in my size. Maybe it’s sold out as a result of being on tbis thread!

How about Ralph Lauren or Tommy Hilfiger? I’d second Karen Mullen too.

www.luxetire.com/products/joseph-ribkoff-midnight-blue-off-white-contrast-trim-dress-style-221210?_pos=5&_sid=4f7b84b6a&_ss=r

Similar vibe to the maxmara dress

www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/belted-georgette-dress-648074.html

The fold or me and em. Me and em are my go to. Or cos.

I've been a board director for ages and I dress smart and a bit funky because thats my style.

I get looking good makes you feel confident but tit are thee fur your brains and what you add to the party.

I've got one today and I'm wearing a lilac silk shirt and blue silk wide legged trousers. And leopard print sandals!

Hobbs, L K Bennet and Cos are my go to shops for work dresses. Very formal environment, senior role. My days of dressing formally are definitely not over.

I also have two made to measure suits, they are amazing and I will definitely have another one made in 2025. Not from here, a local tailor without a webpage but this sort of thing.

https://www.orhanlondontailoring.com/womens/tailoring/

Those Maxmara dresses look absolutely perfect for your needs. I am in quite a lot of formal meetings/board meetings- I’d steer clear of the Fold as I think all their stuff has the look of a costumer, and is instantly recognisable - looks to me like the person wearing it has gone to a TV drama’s wardrobe department and said “dress me as a high powered businesswoman.”
Something more classic like those MM dresses have much more of an air of confidence about them. I’d also look at Me + Em, maybe some Cefinn (not the frillier stuff), Joseph, maybe Iris and Ink. Hobbs can be ok at a cheaper price point but the fabrics are all synthetic which won’t help you feel confident and comfortable.

If you find a dress you love it will definitely help you feel confident as you go to this meeting = it can be a helpful ritual. Good luck with it!

OP, I know you said you wanted a dress, but this modern take on a trouser suit in black, might work as well? I have something similar and have used it as separates on multiple occasions.
this

I love dressing up for work, and a board meeting is the perfect excuse. I favour dresses mainly as I love great shoes. Recent buys were from Simon Miller (the American brand) and Claudie Pierlot. My ultimate fave is Vivienne Westwood when feeling flush - great draping and you feel a million bucks in them. I like linen suits too if being a bit more casual. I do have a few cracking pieces from Me&Em too, but these days you may end up looking like a politicians wife, lol.

Let people enjoy things

I do a lot of very formal meetings at board level @Puppalicious. I love the Max Mara dresses posted above. Some of The Fold ones look a bit weddingy to me.

I have lots of navy and black dresses in my wardrobe for work. I find it best to buy them when I see them because they are never there when you are looking iyswim.

Nothing as nice as you are after - sadly my work place channels Mary Beard (nothing wrong with Mary Beard or her look) rather than corporate exec.

Surprised at this, you think as it’s ok in your field then every company is the same?

Our board directors wear jeans/chinos and occasionally a jacket/blazer. The women wear things like trainers with midi skirts. I think if one of them turned up in something 'glam' it would look really out of place.

But then my corporate company doesn't believe in stuffy work clothes.

I like this but the V might be too deep - I’ve fallen into that trap before online, as a large chested apple I’m drawn to dresses that are cinched in the middle with a v neck! Thanks everyone for ideas where to look.

This is such an interesting thread. I have always really enjoyed dressing formally for work and found it helps project authority, being appropriate for the field I am in. I also enjoy the separation from mum life with two small kids. “The look of a costumer” made me laugh @WellWoman that is so true of the Fold - I have a few fold dresses in black and grey and I have found it actually useful when going into a room of men dressed in expensive grey suits to feel costumed up like that sometimes.
OP you might have a look at Cefinn’s more formal dresses at your price point. Or DKNY as well as Hugo Boss for more suiting dresses.