Help me find a work appropriate dress for late summer into autumn

[Atleastitsnotsunstroke]

I've recently moved roles and looking for a work appropriate dress. I only have one dress that has a scamp and dude type vibe.

I suit something a bit fitted on top and wider on bottom. The tea dress style basically. Not a closed neckline as it makes my neck look really short. I'm not sure if I should go 3/4 or long sleeve as it will take me to autumn. I am broad in my arms so this is an issue, shoulders need some gathering. Maybe weather will have cooled in a couple of weeks. I'm warm toned medium contrast so nothing too cool / muted / high contrast. No massive prints as I'm just average height.

Suggestions welcome, I'll check them all out.

I would suggest a midi-length shirt-dress style. In autumn you can layer it with a long-sleeved T-shirt or fine jumper - but in the meantime it's light enough for summer wear if you choose a cotton poplin or even a fine jersey (though jersey can show underwear lines/lumps & bumps more easily).

I'm not sure what you mean by a closed neckline - do you mean buttoned to the neck? And by shoulders needing gathering, do you mean you need a sleeve that's attached by pleats/gathers to allow room for your upper arms, rather than something fitted?

Do you have a budget? And what colour are your summer & autumn jackets etc - if you're only buying one dress for work, do you want it to be quite a neutral piece?

Also, what height & size are you?

For instance, this one is a cotton/modal blend & is unlined, so should be ok for summer days in the office. Comes in navy or a sort of caramel/tan.

https://www.stories.com/en-gb/product/belted-midi-dress-brown-1318043002/

Similar-ish but no buttons. Though only smaller sizes left.

https://www.reiss.com/style/su530686/av2780

I'm not sure I know what people mean by a tea dress currently. To me it used to mean a (usually) flowery over-the-knee/midi dress in silk or cotton etc, often with buttons, often waisted.

Here's what Boden considers to be a modern take on one.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-heidi-jersey-midi-tea-dress-olive-floral-field-spaced-d1765grn?variant=43150137721041&tcch=ps&tcve=goog&tcso=pmax&tcme=cr&tccampid=21662131917&tcadgroupid=&tctargetid=&tclocphys=9046949&tcmatchid=&gadsource=1&gadcampaignid=21668695394&gclid=Cj0KCQjwg5zTBhCLARIsAP2AFU6wlD2dusRcOOzXUOH2PsCaEzt4VG6DC2QGw9BeEElty1B13uSfRQaAjSpEALwwcB

Whistles viscose/cotton blend shirt-dress in plum.

https://www.whistles.com/product/216460.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_Whistles_UK_EN_BoF_PerformanceMax_LowCostPerformers&utm_id=23196321819&utm_content=agid_-ad_&utm_term=&utm_matchtype=&network=x&device=t&placement=&targetid=&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23205796225&gclid=Cj0KCQjwg5zTBhCLARIsAP2AFU4BV19WY8N8VoOm6hz58wppzHCnYglU3maTndjg8qR8_9JBE7OoZWUaAvctEALw_wcB

Viscose shirtdress in floral or check, both of which could transition into autumn. Not sure if these colours will suit?

https://www.stories.com/en-gb/product/pleated-waist-shirt-dress-greygreen-checked-1312713002/

That is an absolutely gorgeous dress - I’m going to pounce on it!

This is tea dress-ish, & silk-cotton mix, though limited sizes left.

https://www.broraonline.com/uk/silk-cotton-motif-print-shirt-dress-mallard-dd2654km2692?aw_affid=1131807&utm_source=awin&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=generic&utm_content=1131807&awc=17043_1785209209_e20b82f4b258397da7ca560cb66b48f3

More expensive Toast one that is also a bit tea-dress-ish. I'm presuming your workplace is fairly relaxed/informal, if flowery prints are suitable? These would all have been fine for a senior professional in my last big corporate workplace - but I was in a design as well as management role.

https://www.toa.st/collections/womens-dresses/products/crockery-print-dress-cinnamon

It is lovely isn't it? None in my size, & none at all in the navy!

Thanks - I'm 5.6, size 14, sometimes 12. Beigey trench coat. I'm a warm spring so mid value medium warm colours are best, too dark or muted is really dull on me unfortunately. That Toast dress is actually quite pretty. I wouldn't have considered there. I'll check out Whistles and Other Stories too.

I have a few similar Toast dresses. They run long & large, for info if you're ordering. Lightweight viscose crepe so they're fine in summer.