Looking for a polished khaki shirt dress for a wedding anniversary

[MrsK]

I am looking for something similar to the Burberry Tanya dress without the storm flap. I will be celebrating my 30th wedding anniversary in a couple of months & I am looking for a dress like this. I don’t wear dresses often so prefer a more shirt style dress. I like the colour or khaki. I am tall currently size 14 although hoping to be size 12 by then, late fifties a bit of a tum. Any advice regarding accessories would also be gratefully appreciated. I want to look polished but relaxed.

My budget is around £200 for the dress
Thank you

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-short-sleeve-cotton-blend-utility-shirt-dress-stone/p114447444?size=10&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20158969600&gclid=CjwKCAjw5NvPBhAoEiwA_2egfgt213BetOb4WAbiE40SCFsc-f4bdtGWnJgqan19S9Cif0lmbQ-61hoCGR8QAvD_BwE

https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-petite-alira-a-line-utility-midi-dress-stone/p115185959

That’s really nice, I suspect it’s much nicer on than it is on th4 model as well, where it swamps her.

Must you? I have to say a khaki shirt dress sounds spectacularly dull for any kind of celebratory event (except perhaps the opening of a safari park).

I get that as someone who doesn’t wear dresses often you want to avoid anything ostentatiously frilly or prettified - but I feel you might be going to the other extreme. (And, just for this one occasion, I’m imagining the thoughts of your spouse and any guests who’ve dressed up for your event …)

Look, here’s the Me & Em dresses page. Plenty of shirt dress or similar shapes - without looking as if you’re chasing lions:

https://www.meandem.com/dresses?page=2

🤣 “chasing lions” oh dear. I love a shirt dress but I agree that a different colour might be better. Maybe a burnt orange?

From Jigsaw

www.jigsaw-online.com/products/linen-pleat-front-shirt-dress-red?variant=56073418211494&currency=GBP&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=23514125021&tw_kwdid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23518846240&gbraid=0AAAAAD4Q9mSXq3nbtbxR1Vaus1d9MGYtp&gclid=CjwKCAjw5NvPBhAoEiwA_2egfs8_UGMfeXXrKws0xXUC4oDjerjpLc0ANzghwGTHZNVW7zMAlXNqaxoCWKYQAvD_BwE

This is a more modern version of a shirt dress

https://www.reiss.com/style/sv002887/v51796

While @TheFarriersDaughter has expressed her opinion rather, errr ... forcefully, she does have a point. Are you wedded to the dress being both a shirtwaister AND khaki/stone-coloured, OP? As I think both the style & the colour tend to be associated with daywear, & rather utilitarian daywear at that? One or the other, ie a shirtwaister in a different colour, or a khaki dress in a different shape, would be more easily accessorised for evening.

However, you know more about how & where you're celebrating etc - which I assume is going to be relatively low-key & others aren't going to be super dressed-up?

If you do definitely want a khaki shirtdress, this one is made from a linen-blend organdie - which is a fine, slightly stiff gauzy fabric with a slight lustre. That would possibly make it a bit more evening-y. Are low heels ok? I'd add lots of soft gold via footwear & jewellery to lift it.

https://www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-organdie-woven-midi-shirt-dress_bkk28635

https://www.anoncph.co.uk/products/givia-40-snake-metallic-calf-gold-1

This clutch comes in various finishes, including honey velvet & gold leather. Or maybe embrace the safari vibe & go for leopard satin ...!

https://penelopechilvers.com/products/puffball-leopard-velvet-clutch-brown

@TheFarriersDaughter
why the need to be unpleasant & make assumptions

Same with accessories - golds with green & plum, maybe - big pieces, nothing too demure.

I like the Jigsaw one but it's quite daydress-y too. This cream one is definitely "polished", if the OP would consider shifting on her colour preference.

Hi @MrsK Thinking outside the box a little, what about this jumpsuit from Karen Millen? Similar vibe, relaxed but maybe a bit more occasion wear than a day dress? If you are tall you could definitely carry it off and the style would suit the areas of concern you mentioned.

https://www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-utility-detail-cuffed-woven-jumpsuit_bkk28265?colour=stone&size=10&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=%7Bcampaign%7D&utm_adgroup=%7Badgroup%7D&utm_term=&utm_device=m&utm_content=798194654613&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23596964602&gbraid=0AAAAACo7BY-JSLBj01-3sUXx-Z_ivwGRJ&gclid=CjwKCAjw5NvPBhAoEiwA_2egfoBtTak0V0jdYQBZUn829Zj6MxVKFAoz2Hl5SIO3TDKJkAuq5abB_xoCRCcQAvD_BwE

Thank you @EleanorMc67
Im not sure why my fairy innocuous post required such a robust reply & reaction.

I know what suits me, my style & my colouring, I don’t particularly think the style of dress utilitarian.

Thank you for the links you posted, I would not have thought to look at Karen Millen. Also your accessories suggestions. I have a number of Anya Hindmarch clutches that would fit the bill including a gold Neeson

Love the earrings & ring in the first two images, thank you

Oh that's a fabulous bag - definitely no need to buy a new one! It would actually go rather well with the Anonymous Copenhagen heels ... they do lots of other gold styles though including flats.

I just grabbed a few images, jewellery-wise, of what I thought might suit. If you want links I can post them.

The earrings you liked, OP.
https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-open-oval-resin-drop-earrings-green/p114390753

And the ring.
https://www.parfois.com/en/gb/jewellery/rings/ring-stone-bars---18k-gold-plated/243379_GNL.html

Both inexpensive.

Karen Millen is not a place I usually look in either - but I've spotted various organdie dresses before & like the fabric.

Oh, & to clarify - I don't think that shirtwaisters are necessarily utilitarian. Or khaki dresses. But together they could be ...!

You could always go for a silk one ...!!!

https://www.lilysilk.com/uk/product/lilysilk-x-lydia-millen-moira-dress.html

Not a shirtwaister I know, but it is a lovely elegant dress.

https://www.massimodutti.com/gb/long-flowing-vneck-dress-l06628400

Thank you again @EleanorMc67
you have really helped crystallise the look I was aiming for. I hadn’t even given my bags a thought, I’ve got a rather nice Python clutch

Thank you @Thisisthedream @Charlenedickens @EleanorMc67 @Netaporter @Overtheatlantic

I really appreciate you taking the time to look & post suggestions. We’re having dinner at Core, I think I know & understand my direction now with your help

Ooh how lovely! Have a fabulous time 🥰

Karen Millen has been quietly getting on with it in the background IMO. There are some gems if you’re happy to look.

You are going to look fabulous (and entirely appropriate) and your dinner is going to be spectacular. Have a wonderful time.

I love a shirt dress, and I particularly love a beige/khaki shirt dress

I have this one from Gap- it’s really beautiful on, but size down it’s massive!

https://www.gap.co.uk/style/sv137107/v18630

I know it's not khaki but that's the standout dress on the thread.

I think that’s subjective, personally I really don’t like that at all.