Reliable dress 12-14 - mid forties

[WhiteCatmas]

Hi everyone,
Please help me. I have got a promotion which require being a bit more public facing and professional looking. I work in tech and remote normally.
I basically need something I can pull out of the cupboard that makes me look decent but not fussy or sexy.
I am 5 foot 10, size 12-14. Blond with bad legs.

Budget?

I can send you to Max Mara and you'll be spoiled for choice if you have at least £500 to spend; The Fold between £250 to £350 ; Finery, if you have £100 or less, .

I have £100 - £200 for the right dress.

Thank you so much!!!😊

When I was in more or less the same situation I had a Jaeger dress I bought on EBay that did the trick

Look at the Pretty Dress Company. Fitted, sleeves, machine washable and last really well. I have 5 I use like school uniform on work days 🤣 frequent 24% off sales if you sign up to the mailing list.

Congratulations on the promotion.

That price range is Cos territory. Would anything like these suit:

1. Green

2. Blue

3. Black

Going forward you might find

Studio Nicholson

useful. They’re a bit between seasons at the moment but very worthwhile to check at sales times when their prices should be within your budget. Contemporary, good quality clothes that suit people who don’t like twee / ladylike workwear.

Hobbs is great for this sort of thing. It’s never going to set the world alight, but for £150 you’ll get a flattering cut, decent quality and a magical ability to look like everyone’s favourite provincial solicitor, GP or primary school headteacher.

Something like this? www.hobbs.com/product/leonora-dress/0224-5563-9045L00-WARM-PLUM.html#utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=uk_bau_2431_saturday_product_pricepoint_preselected_control_highlow&utm_source=exponea&xnpe_tifc=xDodhuPNxFEN4I_X4._XxjpsafeWaeiWhFWLafechkeAEfp3RfELa.b8nkEAbfs3tu4vaMpshI1JxIxXbdhL4fhuhunl&cgid=clothing-dresses&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0224-5563-9045L00-WARM-PLUM&pos=4

Also 5ft 10, blonde and work in tech with requirement to dress corporately once or twice a week. I’m size 10 and wear maxi (solves leg problem) or midi dresses mostly from me and em and other stories which are in your ball park. I buy plain over patterned so they’re not that memorable and can be reworn. I cycle through wearing my collection and save them up to take to an ironing service every few weeks. This forces me to wear everything rather than flog a favourite to death.

I have just bought a gorgeous dress from GANNI for a Board presentation this week but this is more distinctive than I normally buy. GANNI is cut well for long limbs though. Also have some scotch and soda dresses for the same reason but some of that brand’s stuff is a bit fussy. Scotch and soda turn up on.

Actually find shoes the hardest thing after losing the art of wearing work appropriate shoes during covid…everything is so uncomfortable!

Oh god yes @Galliano shoes were my next problem!
Thank you all for the recommendations. I shall scroll through them tonight.

Ebay or vinted (more the first) I got amazing bargains on second hand nicely branded suits like Reiss, Jigsaw
and LK Bennnett.

I'd go for Uniqlo. Affordable, reliable quality and washes well.

Normally Uniqlo is my go to but they have a festival of acrylic and polyester at the moment.

I find Phase 8 is helpful to me in that size range and with similar requirements. Clothes that are really easy to wear but look smart enough and instantly make you look smart enough without feeling restricted. I hate tailored clothing.

They have absolutely loads of choice and their clothes feel lovely to wear.

https://thefoldlondon.com/product/maida-vale-dress-lagoon-blue-sculpt-stretch-crepe/

Beautiful dress that would suit your height and shape. Only one left in a UK14 in The Fold sale.

Oh no! I just bought a new suit from Hobbs and was so pleased with myself thinking how chic I was going to look...!

Boden Amelie dress or the long sleeved version I live in these for work

@WhatNext24 Sorry! Of course you’ll look chic. I think Hobbs clothes are pretty stylish, and perfect for work and lots of social events. DD15 even said my Hobbs shirt dress looked ‘amazing’ last week (a rare compliment.) But I do tend to wear something a bit (not much) edgier when I’m out with my ‘cool’ friends 😆

I just had a look at those. They are lovely!

I would also check carefully if they can be washed - dry clean is a pest and the costs mount up.