Are these two dresses dated for workwear?

[CoastOfXmasPast]

I know “if you like it, wear it “ but also I was loved the era of a power Galaxy dress, and would live in them for the rest of my working life, so need some perspective.

https://www.hobbs.com/product/meera-dress/0125-5237-9045L05-ZINNIA-PINK.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_Hobbs_UK_EN_BoF_Shopping_Brand&utm_id=22300217733&utm_content=agid_171138532490-ad_736662908342&network=g&device=c&targetid=pla-293946777986&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22300217733&gbraid=0AAAAADC5o-KwGWjelOitcXVX5sd7rkULg&gclid=CjwKCAiAzOXMBhASEiwAe14Sac3hzLKfFRuXOlOBqVaIJQVk1lrUH-RBsTvlRqGi-flYMFJ-RP3vIxoCkeIQAvD_BwE

https://www.hobbs.com/product/hallie-dress/0125-5635-9045L00-HYDRANGEA-BLUE.html

Fit and flair or a tight balero stretched riding up the back (pref with lurex running thru)

Just need a fascinator and a beaded clutch and we are all set for 2008

I agree, I love my cardigans and own at least 20. My cats are always happy to claim them too, particularly the cashmere ones. They love quality comfort 😂

My cats aren't fussy but merino does seem to be particularly appealing and leather and pleather are so scratchable.

Depends on the workplace.

@OchreReader & @HugoThatway Maybe you could extend your knowledge to sofa covers on my behalf? I covered mine in beautiful - & expensive - Designer's Guild linen a number of years ago.

My previous cat Marnie was barely interested - but after her death & the arrival of Tippi (spot the Hitchcock connection?!), they've been utterly shredded by the adorable but wild & wilful little minx. What fabric can I replace it with that she won't claw to bits?!!! Or is the answer (as I suspect) there isn't one?!!!

(Sorry OP & other non-cat fans to derail the thread!)

@EleanorMc67 , something slippery. Or you could go the other way and provide her with something you don't mind her scratching.

I use cheap Ikea fleece blankets as throws but they are cat hair magnets.

Very interesting thread to read. I am grateful I am ok in a fleece at work.

Cardigans and cats 🙈

even worse

My dream life ... Oh - wait. It's my actual life ... 😀!!!

😂 🐱

Love the tangents…

Wore this dress to a family event on the weekend if anyone cares: https://www.lkbennett.com/product/DRBRIDGETSILKMIXMultiGreen%20Cream~Bridget-Green-Viscose-Silk-Monkey-Print-Dress-Green%20Cream

It’s probably all wrong too but I love it and had scratched the bright colour itch.

I care, & I think it's really lovely!! (I am also a sucker for green!). And thanks for not being too annoyed by my sofa/cat/cardigan diversions ...

I LOVE silk chiffon pussycat bow shirts!!! (That's if she wore them in The Fall, but I have a feeling she did?) I've never thought about why they got that name though. Just looked it up & isn't this interesting?

A lavallière, also called a pussycat bow or pussybow, is a style of neckwear worn with women's and girls' blouses and bodices. It is a bow tied at the neck, which has been likened to those sometimes put on "pussy cats".

While bows at the neck had been worn since at least the 19th century; the term "pussy cat bow" took hold in the 20th century. It has been suggested that "There has always been something subtly subversive about the pussybow", and that it "evokes defiance". Kate Strasdin of Falmouth University says "Historically, it's associated with women who are starting to invade male spaces – the golf course, the workplace – and challenge traditional dress codes". The pussybow blouse is often paired with trousers.

I'm going to look mine out & evoke defiance!!!

@CoastOfXmasPast Have you ever worn Ghost dresses? Some people say they're only for the tall, but a small slim friend of mine likes their dresses (sometimes needs to have them shortened, but not always).

@Mrsredlipstick (I think) made the point about plain dresses needing more structure to look modern. I think that's true - I would also say more detail. And that mixing not matching accessories looks more contemporary.

I don't think - from everything you've said so far - that you want to be super-fashionable as such - your look sounds like it's classic, polished & very smart. I feel for you though as a petite woman (both height & size-wise) - having looked at the ranges out there it's either on the formal/dowdy & very expensive side - or the tacky tatty polyester side!!

Coast is 95% wedding/evening attire - & 99% awful! Especially the fabrics ...

I did spot this though - more for this time of year (with a cardigan 😁!!) rather than summer though, & the colours are also more autumnal/wintery. It's not bad - but doesn't exactly say 2026, especially with the shoes she's wearing ... The chocolate & khaki are more "in", though khaki will probably stay around for longer as it's a bit of a modern classic neutral (if you suit it). Though to me the chocolate looks burgundy!

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-petite-belted-crepe-dress_bcc12254

The reason I asked about Ghost is that some of their more daytime dresses (rather than the simple bridesmaid/bridal wear they also do) might work for you? And that light viscose crepe, which they pioneered, is actually very wearable for (average UK - if there is such a thing anymore!) summer days.

Such as this? https://www.johnlewis.com/ghost-capri-puff-sleeve-midi-dress/red/p112494587

Very well-reduced so would ease the annoyance of having to get it shortened if it was too long.

It then reminded me of this (though can only find it in a 10 on Next - full price - or a 4 or 20 on LK Bennett!). Another thing that's more contemporary - & lifts this - is unusual colour combinations. This is red & pink.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su672398/f89062

There's very little in the way of summer dresses in the petites section of Reiss right now. I think this is lovely though. White, so perhaps not entirely practical - but they may bring out other colours/similar styles soon? It's cotton too. I also liked the suggestions for accessorising it below. Do you always like to wear heels to add height, OP? As, if so, these sandals would make lots of outfits a bit more contemporary looking - & would be very comfy!

https://www.reiss.com/style/su943972/w06511

Btw - as you said you wear dark straight jeans to work, dressed up, Reiss has petite straight jeans in lots of colours including khaki, which might be nice to add to your neutrals palette?

Not the white ones though (they still make me think of Elizabeth Hurley being papped coming out of a sex shop with a carrier bag ...!!!).

https://www.reiss.com/style/su679686/w13066

Oh, another Reiss one - also ivory though, & I have a feeling you won't like the sleeves ...?! Linen, with pockets - & I really like the drawn threadwork detail (very Irish!).

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su977354/v36125

This (Australian, I think?) brand has a petite range. Some of their clothes are really nice, some really not IMO - but lots in cotton/linen/linen blends. Their petite work dresses are still stuck in winter, but there are a few more on the petite day dresses section that may be an option. These are ones I thought might work as interim dresses.

https://www.forevernew.co.uk/womens-clothing/petite

And these for summer officewear dresses. White again though! Hopefully more colours will appear soon. The blue & white one - maybe with a belt & navy heels?

Forever New also lists these as day dresses. To me they're more wedding guest dress - but as you like to be smart & dressy, OP, & lots of people thought your original choices WERE wedding guest dresses, they might work ...

You also said that bare arms weren't an issue (although the rest of the dress code seems quite formal & conservative to me!). These are pretty bright fitted cotton dresses (plus a white one), but they show too much flesh IMO & I'm not at all conservative re office wear!

I would, of course, slip a little silk & merino cardigan over them to rectify that ... 😁!!!

Again though, they may bring similar but more suitable in soon, so it's probably worth signing up to their mailing list? Next does quite a few of this brand's petite dresses too.

Some little vintage cardigans from Etsy that would rectify the bare arms ...!!! (Sorry, couldn't resist! They're for my fellow cardigan lovers out there!!)

I think these would be great with dresses or denim or tailored trousers. Even a straight skirt if it was accessorised to avoid the full retro look.

A few more Ghost ones that might work. That's if the brand isn't too long for you, OP. My pettite friend says they work on her because they're generally bias-cut & unfussy with little darting/detail around the waist etc - so at most she needs to get them taken up a wee bit.

These are more for now.