Everyday dresses

[PandaEyes56]

After having kids, I have a tummy and rarely feel comfortable in jeans these days. I'm thinking of wearing more dresses, but am struggling to find cute, affordable, practical dresses I can wear for everyday life, at home, with 4 kids. I need something practical, not something I'd wear on a night out, and shorter length, not maxi or even midi. I don't want to look super dressed up, but I also don't want to be embarrassed if someone comes to the door or drops in unexpectedly. Any ideas where I could look?!

Shein has some wonderful dresses, I recently purchased a few for the colder months.

I like White Stuff, Hush, Seasalt, FatFace. Though I may be in a minority with these choices!

For everyday wear for me Palava, Oska, LF Markey, You Must Create, Monsoon and Ganni. I also have several &Daughter dresses from when they did dresses (very much in the Toast ballpark) but they stopped doing dresses

You could have a look at Toast, Nobody's Child, Joannie, Community Clothing or Tu.

I like Popsy and Joanie for everyday cute dresses.

I've had Popsy in the past and they faded and went fuzzy really quickly. Has the quality improved?

i wear dresses exclusively. I get my day dresses mostly from FatFace lately. I’ve gone off White Stuff. I used to buy some from Seasalt but I’ve gone off them too. I have a tummy too and I’m a size 18. I suggest getting dresses that have some built in shaping/waist as dresses which just drop, make your tummy look massive.

You need to work out what body shape you are and therefore what shape dress will be most flattering.

Yumi do some nice dresses, I also have some comfy easy wear dresses from Nomad.

You could try pinafore dresses
https://www.nobodyschild.com/collections/pinafore-dresses?_gl=11ko6dz1_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAiA3ZC6BhBaEiwAeqfvyjNBacxgysfwM-4RxZlq9yvbDmVdMeeqNPhXbYEBQmRakXgCRBLVXhoCXlIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAADQCJIV1rxLYMsN1Eet34ZLFV4CLW

Or this kind https://www.albaray.co.uk/products/cord-pocket-mini-dress-aw24

This one looks like it could work. https://nomadsclothing.com/collections/three-quarter-sleeve-dresses/products/so3035-simple-tunic-dress

I reckon you want midi Shirt dresses.

They don’t feel too dressy. If you don’t want to spend a lot, but do want decent quality look on Vinted.

I’ve got a couple of lovely everyday Oliver Bonas dresses for £7. Navy with a tiny pattern. I wear jeans a lot and I don’t feel over dressed in this

Mountain Warehouse have a good, affordable selection: www.mountainwarehouse.com/womens/dresses/

I also rate Weird Fish www.weirdfish.co.uk/p/women/dresses

https://www.yumi.co.uk/yumi-navy-knitted-dress-with-contrast-waistband-and-button-detail-p16279

look for knitted dresses - good for the season.

But why?

Why not just try on or send for dresses you like the look of, that suit your purpose, and keep the ones you find pleasing in your mirror?

I have relatively broad shoulders and hips for my height, with a discernible waist, so I ‘ought’ to find those puffy sleeved, defined bodice and full skirted dresses that Nobody’s Child, for instance, does a lot of. But I haven’t bought anything in that shape for forty years. I despise waisted dresses - to me they seem boring, twee and ingratiating, and I’m much more drawn to other styles - that flatter my freedom to choose.

Another vote for weird fish. I have around 10, And they have pockets!

@BeetledBrow there is alot to be said for dressing for your shape though.
I'm quite athletic without many curves so those dresses you find boring, twee and ingratiating are perfect for me as they give me some curves!

@BeetledBrow because if you order and try on ones that absolutely do not work for your shape then you aren't going to find them pleasing in the mirror.

You sound as though you have a fairly easy to dress figure so perhaps haven't experienced how awful some of us can look in certain clothing. Perhaps you instinctively order things you do look good in.

Personally I think puffy sleeves look awful full stop 🤣

I was trying to get to op to narrow down where start looking.

Please don't buy from Shein - totally unethical and implicated in the use of forced labour

You need to work out what body shape you are and therefore what shape dress will be most flattering.

As a starting point it's very limiting and prescriptive - as bad as "you need to work out what your colours are". Start with dresses that catch your eye.

I like that but even though I love colour and pattern, it's a bit much even for me. Shame they don't do it in a more subtle print.

@IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle I couldn't disagree more in my experience.

Most of the dresses I love I know will look utterly shit on me 🤷🏽‍♀️

I can't wear anything with a waist unless I want to rock the look of being 7 months+ pregnant.

I suppose it depends wether you mind returning everything really. Pick something you love the look of (but know will look terrible on you) and surely it would just be depressing as you will be returning everything.

Although its def worthwhile going into an actual shop and trying on several different styles, even ones you think wont suit you, as you might find you love something you hadnt considered before.

I'm a petite (short!) apple and currentlynsize 18 🤦🏻‍♀️

What do you mean by built in shaping? I'm a bit clueless about fashion but trying to learn 🙈

Maybe look like something like a fit a flare dress - fitted bodice and then a flared shirt. It can help emphasis your shape.

Pinafore dresses might work for your shape.