Recommendations for cool, office-appropriate summer dresses?

[Mincepietastic]

So we're being called back into the office for four days a week and I think I am seriously lacking in clothes for this.

The office gets seriously hot over summer - it's been up to 30 degrees and humid. So I have been trying to find some dresses to keep cool and that would be an easy grab and go thing to put on in the morning. But I never really wear dresses now and can't seem to find the right thing.

I'm blonde, very pale, size 14. I used to be pear-shaped but with peri I'm basically pudgy all over and 32DD. I suit and like bright colours (pinks, corals and reds), but I also don't want to be overly conspicuous at work! Prefer shoulders to be covered.

If I found one or two I really liked, I would be prepared to spend up to 150. Help!

Perhaps should have said that my usual workwear is smart jeans and tshirts or jumpers or blouses with small bright prints.

Utility:

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

Luxury:

https://www.studionicholson.com/collections/womens-dresses (Pre-owned? Excellent quality.)

Multi-brand:

https://rendez-vous-store.com/category/women/women-dresses-rendez-vous-store/ (Sales or pre-owned?)

I love dresses and have so many, but who knows what you'll like. What styles are you drawn to?

Also. I have a few loose fitting button down tops that I wear as a jacket when I want to wear a sleeveless dress to work. If you're happy with that it really adds to your options.

I love a tshirt dress with sandals or smart trainers. Uniqlo used to do a great one with sleeves, but alas no more. This one is close:

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E482983-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=003

This is definitely my problem! I'm not usually indecisive but this is a blind spot for me. I see beautiful dresses on other people, but try them on and feel a bit like I'm playing dress up

I like some of the Community Clothing ones.

At the moment, I think I'd be too nervous to get pre-owned while I'm still trying to work out what suits.

I think t-shirt dresses are probably closest to what's my "style" (if it can be called that) - I just see a lot in jersey and worry they'll be hot. Maybe I should search for those again though

Im a fan of weird fish

www.weirdfish.co.uk/p/women/dresses/i/cassandra-jersey-swing-dress-tomato-red-203939?fromsalecategory=true

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-waisted-midi-t-shirt-dress/p/clp60778663?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

I liked some linen shirt and matching wide leg trousers co ords last summer for keeping cool at work - could that be an option?

@MissPrismsMistake I hadn’t heard of Community Clothing before - thanks!

Not for work, I might wear that to the beach. Anything that you would potentially wear to the beach fine but not to the office.

That's the least beachwear t-shirt dress...

Appreciate it's not what you asked at all, but instead of dresses I'd look at coord trousers and tops, there's loads all over the high street, the trousers are always elasticated, light and really comfy if you're getting bloating or your tummy changes shape. The fact they're coordinated always looks put together and you don't need to think about how to wear them.
For dresses, it sounds like you've a good budget, I always likes lk Bennett and Whistles for work dresses, you could try Cos too - the slightly more expensive retailers seem to ensure the shape of dresses look smart even if they're not really that different/dont look different from other shops and styles (if that makes sense!)

I like Hush for this sort of dress

Shirt dress

Red dress (I am same size as you and have this one in navy, it's very flattering)

Next do a range of linen mix dresses once the weather warms up. Usually sleeveless, but you could put a short cotton cardigan over the top to smarten for the office.

I really like the red one, I think it's a good mix of relaxed but smart enough.

I think I'll order this to try, thanks!

I will check out coords too, as I really like the look, but I am the type of person who always one of the two pieces in the wash at the wrong time (organization, not my strong point).

If you are not the most organised then anything that needs ironing would be a mistake. The weird fish dresses look great.

Look on Roman - they have thousands of dresses for all shapes and sizes - covering shoulders and not. They are nice quality and wash well.

https://www.roman.co.uk/dresses/summer-dresses

A jumpsuit, easy on easy off don't have to worry about matching anything. I have loads, phase eight and warehouse would be good for work.

I bought this the other day - a lovely soft seersucker - it comes in various colours

https://atlastshop.co.uk/products/cotton-salcombe-dress

THis style is quite popular this summer and this is a bargain price for cotton https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc147402012

Shirt waisters always look smart even if the fabric is a little different - https://www.next.co.uk/style/su894602/v23171

You’d wear an ankle length black dress to the beach??

You do you I suppose but I wouldn’t fancy it much - but this dress would be fine in my office over the summer (very big corporate).

Try the brand Sugarhill Brighton. It's where I get all my work dresses. One word POCKETS! We have to have keys to get around so they're cool, smart and practical.