For those who have heard me go on and on about this work dress....

[NorkilyChallenged]

By the time I bought it and linked to it here, it was sold out online but it's back and even cheaper in the sale if anyone is interested (not very seasonal as it's wool but it's lovely, gets lots of compliments and is a really good price now)

Austin Reed work dress

I also tried this one on and it's lovely too though a bit more fitted/less forgiving

I like the look of this red one but haven't seen it in RL or tried on

that austin reed dress is a bargain
almost wish I worked with grown ups rather than paint stained 3 year olds

Ninah - I got it about 5 or 6 months ago for £79 and thought it was a bargain then. I've worn it once a week for work.

Hello Norkily

Hello - loooks like there are customers are mainly 12 though. I would love another dress like this. I got the M&S one on your recommendation. Still love it. Need to be smart tomorrow and not sure what to wear... Its been lovely here - but not sure about bare legs...

Do you now what the sizing is like please? Do they come up big, small or 'normal'?

I just compared the size guide with the Next size guide and there seems to be a size difference between them but I don't know if that comes out in the clothing.

I would say in Next I am a borderline 10 but with AR its more like a definite 12. Though could be down to better quality and less elastane... Is that the way the sizing went ?

Now that really is lovely - can you answer the size thing as they have only 10s left and am a 'proper' 10 but an 8 in big shops like M&S etc...

Ahh, it says the other way by the numbers, one of those things that needs trying on I guess.

Sorry, very rude of me. Thank you very much.

ooh am so tempted...

oops have bought one

Thanks for posting this. What a good sale.

That's lovely - bet it looks fab, going by your name.

Austin Reed stuff is great.I am planning to stock up come Autumn...
First dress you link to is nicest.I'd have bagged one mysefl but 12 all gone.

I'm glad you all like it. I think it's a great bargain at that price. Hope you like it when it arrives Omnishambles.

Sizing - I easily fitted into a 10 in the first dress, though I'm a borderline 10/12 and usually a 12 in most shops (certainly in "young" shops like Top Shop or New Look). A 10 was okay though a little bit more restricting in the second one, probably has it has less stretch.

I am, though, v flat-chested which might affect fit. But in general I would say it comes up a bit big.

The dress I have does have some stretch and is very flattering (I think). I honestly can't believe how nice it looks on me, even though I'm quite rounded in the bum/tum/hips.

Icanboogie - I'm struggling with work wardrobe in this weather too. I haven't done bare legs and don't think I will (legs are okay shape but not good without coverage). I'm back in trousers a lot as I don't know what to do with my legs in the summer!

Hey NC - braved it and showed my legs. Felt smart actually. Legs shaved and the obligatory gravy browning when your legs naturally pale blue. Dress was an ancient jigsaw linen one. Have a go - try one day and see. I felt okay and didn't feel too naked...

There is a high powered solicitor 'Mum' at DD's school - she has psoriasis, and ok legs and she looks lovely in her suits. Its what persuaded me I would be good.

Did you ever find work trousers in natural fibres ?

Oh well done!

Nope, no luck with summer work trousers so far (not helped by me putting lots of weight on and not fitting into anything any more)

I have horribly pale legs with dark hair so could only consider it if I had just shaved that morning and even then.... very unsure. Might try if it gets very warm again as cannot contemplate dark trousers in hot weather.

The first two are gorgeous but as I'm not size 8...
The Austin Reed dress is fantastic. Want one! Can't have one right now so will just go and look at it again...

Racingheart - the first dress is available in sizes 6, 10 and 16 when I just checked online. Think the other two dresses in my OP were available in pretty much any size.

Ow, too late, too late! The first dress now seems only to be available in 6. I could possibly do 8, but not 6.

Will think hard about the red one, though.