The holy grail of dresses

[PortSalutPlease]

Ok, I need to get some new work dresses and I feel like I’m the Goldilocks of dress shopping, so I was hoping the wisdom of MN might help!

They don’t need to be too formal. I prefer a skater/smock shape - nothing tight as I’m a 16-18 with massive boobs and severe mum tum. Midi or below the knee, must have 3/4 sleeves or a “long short sleeve” as I work in clinically and we have to be bare below the elbow. Something jersey-ish that doesn’t need ironing, and that washes well as I’m in paeds and forever getting sticky handprints on me, noses wiped on me etc, and nothing low cut as I often have to bend down to talk to patients.

I have a few but they are all black and I swear my colleagues must be thinking I only own one outfit by now! Plain rather than patterned preferred….

I am in the same boat op and same requirements. This season is dire (if you’re looking at high street shops) and I just don’t understand why there isn’t a cognisance that some women need flattering shapes, nicer colours and practical fabrics. (Not just black and bottle green frilly and high neck horrors). I’ve had some success with Fat Face dresses (I tend to buy bigger because the viscose shrinks) and V for Very. The latest dress I bought was from Seasalt but I find them quite expensive and a bit frumpy. They had nice cord winter dresses but put inexplicable flappy short sleeves in them! Why? 🤦🏻‍♀️

Oh I was also going to say Boden. I got a green shirt dress exactly as described. Fabric feels good, it’s a brighter green which suits me whereas bottle green doesn’t. Skater/midi. It’s not going to win any current fashion awards but it ticks my ‘smart enough’ box.

I’m a 14/16 but otherwise have very similar requirements to you.

i get quite a lot from Fatface (not so great currently) Whitestuff and surprisingly M&S

I'm similar shape - but bigger. I also have a few m&s - although I haven't seen any this year I like, white stuff and fat face and sea salt.
Also look online at popsy dresses - they do plain as well as the patterns.

Maybe look at Boden Ottoman dress (if sleeves not too long) It’s thick jersey so wears well and hides bumps. Deep pockets. Comfortable and dressy enough. I’ve had a couple over the years and they don’t really date

go for a pattern, it’ll cover up the snot and hand prints better!
https://www.whitestuff.com/p/6668/lucy-midi-cord-dress/BLK_MLT

https://www.whitestuff.com/p/5994/rua-jersey-collared-shirt-dress/GREEN_MLT

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/line-strokes-midi-cotton-jersey-dress

Love skater dresses, pair of tights, footwear a d your done. I buy Preloved only and this season have 2 monsoon, a reiss, an all saints, 2 George and a Karen Millen. All for less than £100 and all machine washable. I think if your buying new supermarkets and George have great ranges.

Crew clothing have some nice jersey dresses and a sale on at the moment.
https://www.crewclothing.co.uk/womens/clothing-and-accessories/womens-dresses-and-skirts/long-sleeve-jersey-wrap-dress-navy-wxj057/

https://www.crewclothing.co.uk/womens/clothing-and-accessories/womens-dresses-and-skirts/ebony-ponte-shift-dress-navy-wwj047/

Hobbs have some very nice dresses in the sale (brings them down to the regular price from most shops). I’ve found they look good and wear really well.
https://www.hobbs.com/product/mirabel-ponte-dress/0224-5510-1185L00-WARM-PLUM.html#navAjax=true&is=true&cgid=sale-clothing-dresses&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=refinementSize&prefv1=18&prefn2=sleeve&prefv2=3/4%20sleeve&pid=0224-5510-1185L00-WARM-PLUM&pos=37

Boden ottoman is a good shout, I always get compliments on mine and they are flattering, skimming the body rather than clinging or hanging there.