Quality dresses for older women.

[sunshineonmonday]

Hi, can anyone recommend somewhere I can buy dresses for an older woman please? Just everyday wear, good quality, natural fabric, simple but not old fashioned, maybe plain colours, maybe not, but nothing ditsy floral, flouncey or revealing. I'm well into middle age, have a nice figure, I need new clothes for Spring/Summer.

I like Seasalt dresses - they have a flattering cut (and flattering lengths) are comfortable and soft. Some are flowery but they have plain colours and other patterns too.

Poetry or Wrap

Me and em or Reiss.

I don't mind Seasalt but they do tend to be a bit too flowery and that just doesn't suit me now. Also I live in an area where that's pretty much the only shop so everyone wears the same. Saw a nice-ish plain one in there the other day but the quality wasn't very good. I need something a bit smarter for a relaxed work situation and travel. What else is out there/online please?

White stuff?
Im curious what age you are op?

I’m mid-sixties. The most recent dress I’ve bought, a few weeks ago, was from Studio Nicholson.

Before that …

Zimmermann
Margaret Howell
Loulou de Saison

I currently have my eye on dresses from

Petar Petrov
Stella McCartney
Lemaire
A. Emery
Co Collections
Colleen Allen
Rachel Comey
Acne Studios
Zara

Just how many of those will make it through the long process of deliberation, or arrive at acceptable prices, I’ll have to wait and see.

How about Uniqlo? Their mainstream clothing is largely simple and unfussy and their designer collabs, e.g their C range, a bit more fashion orientated. Not all natural fabrics but a reasonable proportion. Quality variable but, on the whole, reasonable for the price.

Some of M&S has also greatly improved and looks current but not outlandish. The quality can be hit and miss but the price reflects that.

if you’ve got a bigger budget there’s a thread about Me and Em around somewhere.

Editing cos I meant to add I know what you mean about Seasalt. It’s not all bad by a long way but I’m not a fan of their printed jersey dresses.

Boden
Nobody’s Child
Cotton Traders?

(Sorry, a couple of mine definitely aren’t travel or workwear. Slow, interrupted typing.)

Max Mara.

Baukjen
Ralph Lauren
JL own label
Selective Boden

I've got a few nice work dresses from Phase Eight.

currently in love with Pact, material is gorgeous

(Trying to be more helpful, as you’ve asked what else is out there) you could look at these sites, either for shopping or merely inspiration:

https://rendez-vous-store.com/

https://www.cos.com/en-gb

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/clothing/dresses

https://justinetabak.co.uk/collections/dresses?srsltid=AfmBOoqx2IL58ZyE7hnk7SUtzEoyXBpZGf9GLD9YTGwE2qEbwkeyKmGE

https://gatherandsee.com/collections/dresses

https://www.massimodutti.com/gb/

https://www.youmustcreate.com/

https://kemitelford.com/collections/dresses

https://colenimo.com/collections/dresses-made-in-england

https://communityclothing.co.uk/collections/womens-dresses-jumpsuits

https://www.pollyannabarnsley.uk/products/dresses/

Also - and staying on the high street- Arket is part of the same stable as H&M and Cos but a bit more grown up than the first and not as marmite as the second. & Other Stories worth a look too.

And Massimo Duti is kind of like Zara’s big sister who has a serious job.

I’ve also been on the lookout this summer and like the look of these from Boden and Poetry. I also like natural fibres and not so keen on florals .
https://www.boden.com/products/women-ivy-linen-midi-dress-olive-ivory-stripe-d1510grn

www.poetryfashion.co.uk/product-RB51/colour-b-green-ink/silk-linen-pleated-dress.htm

Some great suggestions, thank you everyone.

Palava
Colenimo
Casey Casey
Cabbages and Roses (Ebay, Vinted and their made to order range)
Liberty
Klements
Sister Jane
Batsheva
CFCL
Ganni
YMC
NRBY
Nobody's Child
Plumo
Justine Tabak

Sahara

What sort of price range for dresses do you have in mind, OP - as some of the suggestions given are moderately priced high street (eg Seasalt) & some a lot more costly?

You say you don't mind Seasalt, but want something smarter. Possibly more expensive too? What would you consider spending up to on a dress - & does it depend on whether its for work or leisure, day or evening?

That Boden one is lovely. Sometimes they do really nice pieces. They've had some beautiful blouses/shirts lately.

The Boden dress is 100% linen too. I’d assumed it would be a linen-viscose mix.

I’m another fan of Poetry and Wrap.

@EleanorMc67 and @Floisme. I only really wear natural fibres and dislike the decking if viscose in hot weather. The Boden one doesn’t get great reviews, but the fact it is pure linen means I’ll give it a punt.

@teaandabun @sunshineonmonday I absolutely love Poetry. The colours are gorgeous and it’s excellent quality. They advertise that they use 99% natural fibres, and that’s a big plus for me. Wrap is also nice but I find their styles a bit fussier.

I spend far too much money on the Poetry website. But on the plus side have built up a classic coordinated wardrobe with pieces that have really lasted.

I’m not sure if they’re all in stock yet for summer but Community Clothing do dresses in pure cotton and linen. Simple shapes, prices in roughly the same ballpark as Boden and Poetry except these are all made in the UK.