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!

@Mincepietastic Firstly, has no one ever said that’s too hot for an office? Ask for fans! I assume air conditioning is out?

Dresses - shirt dresses always work well for witk. Look for cotton. Then look at cotton dresses with some room. I like tiered dresses but not everyone does. I’d avoid manmade fabrics and anything tight fitting. M&S is a good place to start. Filter by length and fabric.

Lots of lovely dresses here, but - mild rant - why must so many of them have puffed sleeves?!?

I would be 100% cosplaying Anne of Green Gables if I put one of those on

I love some of these dresses but always get stick for footwear - what are people wearing on their feet with these?

When I worked in an officer I used to wear those Menorcan espadrille sandals in summer - the ones that aren't quite closed-toe but don't show any toe or heel. Then I didn't have to worry about nails or hard skin removal 😂

I also had a similar pair of plaited leather huarache (?)-style.

Tbh though I do think people get a bit weirdly hysterical about seeing human feet.

Zara has several shirtwaister dresses, from floral with puff half sleeves to gingham or check with long sleeves. IMO they look more expensive than they are.

I agree. Sick of the silly puff sleeves when otherwise the dresses are lovely.

I long for 1940s and 50s shirt waisters with half or 3/4 sleeves with deep cuffs, New Look style. So elegant.

Trainers for me!

That Hush dress is beautiful but I swear even in XXS I look like a little girl dressing up in mummy's clothes in dresses like that. They are so voluminous on short women. Such a shame.

I adore one of the Community Clothing dresses. But it is only in black. Why? So odd that they don't offer a couple of other colours to suit different skin tones.

For some of the dresses here anyway, I wouldn't wear any of the Boden ones and not sure they'd be the type of dresses to look any good with trainers?

I wear cotton or linen dresses throughout summer. I get them off Vinted. That way I can afford Boden/Laura Ashley/Jaeger quality at supermarket prices. Having said that, TU have some great items.

Wear with trainers or ballet flats.

@Tonissister - don’t know which Community Clothing dress you mean, but I suggest you contact them with your request. A while ago I opened their site and saw men’s cords, so excitedly turned to the Women’s section expecting to find some. None! I emailed them and asked if they would be bringing out women’s cords. No plans to do so. A few months later they debuted a range of women’s cords …

(Unfortunately I don’t like theirs. Not slouchy enough. But still!)

Slightly over budget but beautiful and flattering on all body shapes
https://www.meandem.com/fit-and-flare-twist-cheesecloth-maxi-dress-poppy-red

Probably boring @Mincepietastic but white stuff do a simple, short sleeved, jersey interlock button through dress, called Rua. I have three and they are very handy for work, not least because if you wash them and put on a hanger to dry, ironing isn't essential.

Some of the prints are fussy but there's usually a subtle one.

I usually wear tan, Penny Chilvers sandals, or lowish cut loafers.

Wow that is worth knowing.

I might ask if they could do the dress in navy or any blue.

It is so time for puff sleeves to die. How many years do we have to endure them?
Make me look like a Soviet weightlifter.

I like lands' end.

https://www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Cotton_Modal_Short_Sleeve_V-neck_Wrap_Dress/pp/P_44388.html?dwvar_P__44388_sizeVariation=59&dwvar_P__44388_color=6XG&cgid=11329&pageType=fp

https://www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Cotton_Poplin_Wrap_Front_Midi_Dress/pp/P_44250.html?dwvar_P__44250_sizeVariation=59&dwvar_P__44250_color=G4U&cgid=11329&pageType=fp

I have three variants of this dress - two styles in navy & another in green. They're great. All bought for not that much on eBay/Vinted.

But tiers. My other pet hate.

Only one of mine - the oldest one - had a tier to it. I like tiers but have moved on!

I have a few of these, no tiers, no puff sleeves: https://nrbyclothing.com/products/chrissie-linen-maxi-dress-bright-blue

Were they issued by His Majesty prison service as you served your time ?

I’m so glad to hear someone else say this - I am fairly flat chested too so puffy sleeves really do make me look like an overgrown child! Agree with pp on half length cuff sleeves, or even sleeveless shirt dresses when it’s very hot, are so much more elegant.

I really like that actually.

For anyone on a budget, last year I bought a couple of decent enough pure cotton dresses from Finery for under £40 each. Not high fashion, but no frills or puffs. They have washed well too.