One dress for both these occasions?

[LittleArithmetics]

Two occasions in September, I wonder if a dress exists that could cover both.

First is a work party, it won't be formal or really have a dress code, but I suspect a lot of women will probably wear dresses with trainers or sandals.

Second is a wedding - church ceremony and then reception in a local sports facility - I guess fairly standard wedding vibes.

I wouldn't want to be overdressed at the work party, and would want to wear trainers there, so maybe it's a big ask....but maybe a fairly simple dress could work for the wedding if it was the right one? I'd much prefer natural fibres. I'm size 10-12 and mid 40s.

Budget?
General preferences?

Several on here would do the trick

Alémais 1
Alémais 2
All Alémais

Some here too
https://www.meandem.com/dresses?page=3

Thanks @IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle. The Alemais dresses are lovely but more expensive than I'd ideally be looking for, and possibly more colourful too. I'll have a look through Me&Em now.

I'd like to spend £150, possibly up to £200. I'd prefer midi but could consider maxi. And I'd prefer something not too clingy round the waist.

Just bought a couple of cotton dresses from Sainsbury online, not their brand but they both would do double duty as long as it’s not an ultra smart wedding dress. Paired with nice sandals or heels would elevate them and trainers make more casual. A jacket makes it even more smart. Only paid£45 for one and 22.50 for the other - have a look at their website because they had a fair few contenders

Should add they were in the sale.

also look at monsoon who have a lovely design called Napoli

https://www.sezane.com/en-en/product/mariama-dress/light-beige#size-10

no idea on your style but I’d potentially wear something like this to both events so can be done

I got this dress for a wedding recently. Really lovely. I think it could be dressed up or down. It’s on the next website

or this

It always cracks me up when people ask for clothe recommendations on here. It’s never.. I saw this is Newlook for £30 and it’s always the sort of dress that looks like it could come from Newlook but costs £500, I don’t know anyone in real life who shops likes that.

It always cracks me up when people clutter up threads with pointless comments like yours. Why don't you show you can do better and make a suggestion?

The OP didn't specify a budget. I posted examples of dresses I would buy to cover these 2 events.

I think lots of the “wedding guest” dresses on Nobodys Child could be dressed down.

https://www.nobodyschild.com/collections/wedding-guest-dresses

I don’t know anyone in real life who shops like that.

Surely the point of reading, let alone an Internet forum, let alone a Style and Beauty board, is to broaden one’s horizons and discover ways of thinking and doing that are outside your own experience?

NRBY have got some gorgeous things in their sale. How about a silk dress, coming in at just under your budget? Not as bright as the Alemais dresses above, so might hit the spot?
https://nrbyclothing.com/collections/outlet/products/pia-silk-indian-ikat-print-dress?_gl=11i8ql9c_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwprjDBhBTEiwA1m1d0o0VErwBrMGZVcBsiw39EnyhjZa_YeTsOVFAf6ge0ewRNHq2eBwXvxoC6MIQAvD_BwE

https://nrbyclothing.com/collections/outlet/products/jemima-silk-star-paisley-printed-dress?_gl=1qoh955_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwprjDBhBTEiwA1m1d0o0VErwBrMGZVcBsiw39EnyhjZa_YeTsOVFAf6ge0ewRNHq2eBwXvxoC6MIQAvD_BwE

https://nrbyclothing.com/collections/outlet/products/gracelyn-silk-etched-square-dress?_gl=11ezu6s1_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwprjDBhBTEiwA1m1d0o0VErwBrMGZVcBsiw39EnyhjZa_YeTsOVFAf6ge0ewRNHq2eBwXvxoC6MIQAvD_BwE

This:

Massimo Dutti dress

Easy to dress up or down; will skim over the waist; 100% cotton.

Love this.

Great suggestion.

Why don't you look on Vinted and buy 2 dresses, one for each occasion?

I bought this one (when it was full price, annoyingly!) and I’m very happy with it. It’s 100% cotton and this season’s butter yellow.

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-anyday-tie-detailing-one-shoulder-dress-yellow/p113158325

Not sure about your style but have you thought of a jumpsuit? I have one I’ve worn for a wedding and also a work do with different shoes, they tend to be more flexible than dresses. Oliver Bonas have some lovely ones right now.

Monsoon might work for you - filtered for size and natural fabrics:

Link not working but you can filter.

https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/the-tommie-cap-sleeve-smocked-front-zip-midi-shirt-dress6

These are just beautiful! And pure silk.

Maybe because an all purpose dress is really useful thing to have and it's more economic to buy one really good dress ? Most of the suggestions are excellent for that.

A poster was having a dig about prices- well yes I do spend the sort of money she objected to but my dresses will be worn on multiple occasions, dressed up or dressed down as needed.

I have Scamp and Dude dresses I have worn on the weekend with trainers, ankle boots in the office then heels for a wedding. They are versatile depending on how you style them.