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Are these two dresses dated for workwear?

300 replies

CoastOfXmasPast · 22/02/2026 07:14

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

Meera Dress | Hobbs UK |

Shop Meera Dress by HOBBS online - all the latest luxury British fashion along with exclusive online offers. Free UK delivery for all orders over £150.

https://www.hobbs.com/product/meera-dress/0125-5237-9045L05-ZINNIA-PINK.html?device=c&gad_campaignid=22300217733&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADC5o-KwGWjelOitcXVX5sd7rkULg&gclid=CjwKCAiAzOXMBhASEiwAe14Sac3hzLKfFRuXOlOBqVaIJQVk1lrUH-RBsTvlRqGi-flYMFJ-RP3vIxoCkeIQAvD_BwE&network=g&targetid=pla-293946777986

OP posts:
Thread gallery
67
HugoThatway · 26/02/2026 17:56

@EleanorMc67 , I agree with you about the belt. I was posting in agreement.

EleanorMc67 · 26/02/2026 18:00

HugoThatway · 26/02/2026 17:56

@EleanorMc67 , I agree with you about the belt. I was posting in agreement.

Ah, my apologies! (Having a grumpy day & now starting to wonder if too much MN is part of the issue!!). Sorry for being reactionary & misinterpreting your post ...

On a related note, have you bought anything from Community Clothing? Some of the jumpers looked lovely.

HugoThatway · 26/02/2026 18:09

No I haven't but agree about the jumpers. The lambswool roll neck appeals.
I've not ordered it because roll neck jumpers don't suit me.

Don't worry, I didn't take offence.
I've managed to upset some MNers on a different thread and I suspect that they are 'perpetually offended posters'.

EleanorMc67 · 26/02/2026 18:28

Itsallsostressful · 26/02/2026 17:23

This really helps as my issue is very much a lack of waist. Im much shorter than you though...barely 5ft !

Short & slim/boyish with no waist, or short & more "cushioned" than that ...??! Would you like to be able to wear a shirtwaister?

Itsallsostressful · 26/02/2026 18:34

EleanorMc67 · 26/02/2026 18:28

Short & slim/boyish with no waist, or short & more "cushioned" than that ...??! Would you like to be able to wear a shirtwaister?

Slim at the hips but bit of a tummy ! Boob's average size !!!

Emma6cat · 26/02/2026 19:00

Depends on your job

EleanorMc67 · 26/02/2026 19:10

Itsallsostressful · 26/02/2026 18:34

Slim at the hips but bit of a tummy ! Boob's average size !!!

Well you're probably not dissimilar to me then - just in miniature 😁!!! (My boobs are biggish but not ginormous, I've got a fat tummy - but my bum & hips are quite slim in relation to my stomach & wide shoulders!)

I bet you could find a nice A-line shirtwaister in a petite range somewhere ...

EleanorMc67 · 26/02/2026 19:12

HugoThatway · 26/02/2026 18:09

No I haven't but agree about the jumpers. The lambswool roll neck appeals.
I've not ordered it because roll neck jumpers don't suit me.

Don't worry, I didn't take offence.
I've managed to upset some MNers on a different thread and I suspect that they are 'perpetually offended posters'.

Edited

There seem to be quite a few of those on MN ... I hope I don't become one, as it must be quite wearing to live like that!!!

HugoThatway · 26/02/2026 19:15

.

Mithral · 26/02/2026 19:23

I thought of this thread today. I was at a conference in the City attended by GCs, CEOs and senior editors of various broadcasters, regulators and some senior tech people.

There were cardigans! And lots of wide trousers with tops. Hardly any dresses although there were a couple of maxis with trainers. Also plenty of what you'd call blazers I guess but mostly verging on cardigan territory - soft rather than jackety.

Itsallsostressful · 26/02/2026 19:27

EleanorMc67 · 26/02/2026 19:10

Well you're probably not dissimilar to me then - just in miniature 😁!!! (My boobs are biggish but not ginormous, I've got a fat tummy - but my bum & hips are quite slim in relation to my stomach & wide shoulders!)

I bet you could find a nice A-line shirtwaister in a petite range somewhere ...

You have inspired me !

EleanorMc67 · 26/02/2026 19:27

Itsallsostressful · 26/02/2026 18:34

Slim at the hips but bit of a tummy ! Boob's average size !!!

What about something like this one in Whistles petite range? Sadly only a regular in size 6 online, but they do this type of dress regularly? It's well above the knee on the 5'10" model in the regular cut, so it might even be better than petite, lengthwise.

https://www.whistles.com/product/frankie-button-through-dress-35428.html

Are these two dresses dated for workwear?
Are these two dresses dated for workwear?
Are these two dresses dated for workwear?
EleanorMc67 · 26/02/2026 19:28

Mithral · 26/02/2026 19:23

I thought of this thread today. I was at a conference in the City attended by GCs, CEOs and senior editors of various broadcasters, regulators and some senior tech people.

There were cardigans! And lots of wide trousers with tops. Hardly any dresses although there were a couple of maxis with trainers. Also plenty of what you'd call blazers I guess but mostly verging on cardigan territory - soft rather than jackety.

I KNEW I was ahead of the curve!!!

EleanorMc67 · 26/02/2026 19:56

EleanorMc67 · 26/02/2026 19:27

What about something like this one in Whistles petite range? Sadly only a regular in size 6 online, but they do this type of dress regularly? It's well above the knee on the 5'10" model in the regular cut, so it might even be better than petite, lengthwise.

https://www.whistles.com/product/frankie-button-through-dress-35428.html

Actually, @Itsallsostressful the petite version is now in the sale so was listed elsewhere! A 14 or 16 left ...? I've had some of these sorts of dresses before from Whistles & they're really versatile. They can be worn the whole year around.

https://www.whistles.com/product/frankie-button-through-dress-36852.html

Navy Frankie Button Through Dress | WHISTLES | Whistles UK |

Buy Navy Frankie Button Through Dress | WHISTLES whistles.com. Lightweight day dresses ooze an easy elegance that's ideal for spring-summer.

https://www.whistles.com/product/frankie-button-through-dress-36852.html

Purpl · 26/02/2026 20:45

They would both be nice for london city job people wearing thst or wide leg trousers but no heels anymore smart loafers or ballet style pumps. Depends on your job really.

CoastOfXmasPast · 26/02/2026 21:53

@EleanorMc67 Thank you so much for links, there are so many I love! Some I would wear more on holiday / summer weekend but the first from Coast and the denim one would be great for work. So many stunning dresses on Coast generally!

OP posts:
Ophir · 26/02/2026 22:24

I’m out if coast is the vibe

EleanorMc67 · 26/02/2026 23:23

CoastOfXmasPast · 26/02/2026 21:53

@EleanorMc67 Thank you so much for links, there are so many I love! Some I would wear more on holiday / summer weekend but the first from Coast and the denim one would be great for work. So many stunning dresses on Coast generally!

You're very welcome - even though it's still a bit difficult to find brightly coloured dresses for summer in the office just yet, I'm glad I found something that caught your eye (especially as I think we probably have quite different taste in general). I'm sure you'll see lots more suitable dresses appearing soon as it's (technically!) almost spring ...??!

Funnily enough, that dress was the only one on the Coast website that I thought was ok ...!! And even then I'd personally much prefer the Reiss & Ghost offerings I posted to the Coast one, so I'm with @Ophir on that!! I think Coast was once ok back in my early work days in the 90s - quite good for evenings & formal events - but they've become too dated & ridiculously expensive for what are 99.9% shiny synthetics!

However, I know the Coast website now stocks a billion other brands, as it's owned by Boohoo aka the Debenhams group (along with Karen Millen, Oasis, Warehouse, Wallis & other former staples of the UK high street that went under). To avoid being overwhelmed I had just filtered for Coast itself - & then looked at the other petite ranges it listed, like KM, on their own websites. So I think it's much more likely that the ones you thought were stunning were not actually from Coast ...!

I'm glad you like the denim KM one though - a simple indigo denim dress is a very useful thing.

EleanorMc67 · 26/02/2026 23:29

I hadn't come across Otrium before - it seems to be an online outlet store for end-of-line, very well discounted brands, lots of which are at the higher end.

For instance (though not petite), this LK Bennett dress in your size.

https://www.otrium.co.uk/product/dr-sophie-wildflower-dr-green

Are these two dresses dated for workwear?
EleanorMc67 · 26/02/2026 23:34

Shame that last LK Bennett one is polyester though, as it's still £243! This one is cotton & in your size, though again not petite. Straw bag not required for the office ...

https://www.otrium.co.uk/product/dr-isolde-belted-dress-blue

Are these two dresses dated for workwear?
BitOutOfPractice · 27/02/2026 07:39

MrsBridgetMcClusky · 24/02/2026 16:34

This thread has taken me back to the outfits Gillian Anderson wore in The Fall. Those silk shirts were beautiful. One outfit in particular could be of interest to OP as its one strong colour: burgandy leather midi skirt and tonal thin knit jumper. If leather is a step too far, could be in a different material. It was on years ago, but I still think how smart she looked. Someone else who is cleverer than me needs to come along to say what would her summer outfits look like.

I still think about her outfits too. She looked incredibly hot in them I seem to remember. And I don’t mean in a sweaty way!

falalalaa · 27/02/2026 09:08

EleanorMc67 · 26/02/2026 19:27

What about something like this one in Whistles petite range? Sadly only a regular in size 6 online, but they do this type of dress regularly? It's well above the knee on the 5'10" model in the regular cut, so it might even be better than petite, lengthwise.

https://www.whistles.com/product/frankie-button-through-dress-35428.html

Even that lovely model looks like a sack of spuds in it.

HugoThatway · 27/02/2026 09:34

@falalalaa , I agree. I don't like the puff sleeves and the bows as they add width, and I don't like curved hems.

HugoThatway · 27/02/2026 11:26

For those of you who love cardigans: Sloppy French oversized cardigan? | Mumsnet

NeedSomeHeadspace · 28/02/2026 18:47

It’s the shoes that Hobbs are matching up with the dresses and the handbags that date them.

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