summer dresses for head teacher

[ForeverAndEverCheese]

A friend is the head of a private prep school. She’s looking for some summer dresses but is very specific on length: Just on/below the knee or ankle length. Nothing in between!

She’s a size 10 but definitely more hips than chest. Setting is quite formal (blazers and pencil skirts in winter).

I’m struggling to find the right sort of thing. Any ideas?

What's her budget and how tall is she? Also how long are her legs? What's mid-calf on a model might be ankle length on a petite woman.

I think you have to say why, after presumably years of successful career building, your friend needs someone else to seek guidance from MN on her work wardrobe …

There’s always one. 🙄

White stuff has some very nice shirt dresses at a decent length

What a nasty post.

Career success doesn’t always mean confidence in every area—especially something like personal style. It’s possible she feels has hit a rut, and she’s asked for support because she values a fresh perspective. Sometimes it’s easier to crowdsource ideas anonymously than to ask colleagues or friends directly.

She’s a dear friend who is facing unimaginably hard issues in her personal life. I can’t alleviate any of the stress in that area, but I can help her feel better about herself.
I think asking for help should be applauded. I want to help but simply don’t know where to begin as her style is so unlike my own.

I think she’s about 5’7? Very sporty so quite chunky hips but narrow up top. Not sure where are knees are relative to the average! Not model length legs, for sure!

budget? I guess as cheap as possible, while wanting to look anything but! The impossible holy grail….!

I think Boden has a decent selection for work.

https://www.boden.com/products/anita-ponte-shirt-dress-navy

https://www.boden.com/products/chloe-jersey-midi-dress-starboard-blue

LK Bennett also has a good selection but they’ve become quite expensive.

https://www.lkbennett.com/product/DRVALERIEVISCOSENAVYMIXX~Valerie-Spring-Navy-%26-Birch-Viscose-Printed-Viscose-Shirt-Dress-With-Belt-Navy%20Cream

https://www.lkbennett.com/product/DRJEMVISCOSEMultiPink~Jem-Desert-Rose-%26-Rio-Red-Viscose-Wildflower-Tea-Dress-Pink

If you go onto Next you can filter dresses by ‘workwear’ which comes up with some suitable pieces.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su542550/ak4356#ak4356

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su664132/b85436#b85436

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su512492/f41039

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su065783/b10745#b10745

Thank you so much @HolidayHappy123! Much appreciated. I think the Next dresses are all a bit long for what she likes - the classic midi length (between knee and ankle) is a no-go for her.

I’ll check out all the links. Thanks

Next has a really wide selection and the filter on the website is good.
these are useful if necklines are too low https://amzn.eu/d/4BVsNJ7
they clip to bras.

Maybe Hobbs?

Look on Vinted, some bargains on there, especially good makes like Hobbs or Whistles. Lots of new with tags.

Like a PP, I recommend Boden. My wardrobe is predominantly Boden knee length dresses in various styles and patterns. I also have some ankle length ones. All very easy to wear and machine washable.

Boden frequently offer discount codes and £10/£15 vouchers if you buy direct from their site. You can occasionally find stock in TKMaxx and I also buy some new/like new from Ebay.

White stuff have some dresses that would fit the bill and they currently have a sale on their main website and have an outlet on Ebay.

Me and Em could be good. I’d choose plain colours rather than patterned but she will be a great height for them to fall on her ankle and they have lots with a defined waist and reasonably flared skirt that would skim her hips. Not super cheap but I wear the plain ones as workwear: https://www.meandem.com/dresses/maxi-dresses?page=2

How about a Dove dress by Dancing Leopard? Come in a variety of designs. Buttoned almost to the floor so you don't have to have the split as high as in some of the photos!

You can get them second hand on Vinted for half the price

www.dancingleopard.co.uk/collections/shirt-dresses/products/dove-dress-in-peach-meadow-on-black

Never heard of this brand. Thank you!

Some really good long options! Thanks. Will share.