Dress for both work and wedding More photos added.

anne

So, two things

I am starting to think through my clothes shopping list for next year and thinking that it is 4 years since I bought a new work dress - might be time (I like wearing dresses for work)!
I have a wedding next month.(note early summer here in Australia) While I do have a dress that I love, I wore it to the bride's twin sister's wedding last year. It'll be fine as a fallback.

So I've been thinking of getting a dress that might do for both. I've only looked online so far and thought this might be a possibility

https://www.portmans.com.au/sh.....d-blossoms
This might be darker than I was preferring.

Would love to hear your feedback on this dress, or any other suggestions of suitable dresses for this purpose that are sold in Australia.

8 years ago

Shopping

61 replies

Latest reply was from Deborah

Brooklyn

Veteran

I like that a lot.

The Myer spring racing catalogue has a lot of nice dresses in it. Some of them may not be work suitable.

http://catalogues.myer.com.au/.....26947.html

8 years ago

Lucy

Veteran

I like the one you have linked to!

I also find Diana Ferrari dresses are good cross-overs that do for work and play. I have bought a few over the years and never regretted them (and I think they have frocks on sale atm!)

Here are a couple I would wear to both:

https://www.dianaferrari.com.a.....43502.aspx

https://www.dianaferrari.com.a.....44414.aspx

8 years ago

Anonymous

I appreciate that it has some length. It is worth a try and will probably work out for you.

8 years ago

anne

Veteran

Thanks Brooklyn,
Yes to be sure, not every occasion can cross over.
Thanks for the link
I think I like this one better than the one above - I'll try to check it out in person soon

http://catalogues.myer.com.au/.....26947.html

8 years ago

anne

Veteran

Joy and Lucy, we were writing at the same time. Thanks for the links Lucy - I hadn't thought of DF.
Joy - length is important to me too, though I am constantly surprised how short the dresses worn to my office are. But I think that is a function of what is available, as Angie has railed against many times!

8 years ago

anne

Veteran

I tried some on!
Picture one Tokito myer. The one from the catalogue above. It turned out to have a mesh covering that I think makes it not work appropriate.
Picture two and three. But loose, as shown in pic three where I am holding it in.

Picture four to six are other dresses that don't seem work appropriate either.

7 to 9 is Cue and on special. But not really wedding ish.

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8 years ago

Jenni NZ

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Why can't you wear the one with the mesh covering to work? It looks like it could be dressed down OK? It's very pretty and fashionable and looks great on you. I like it the best of the ones you tried on.

8 years ago

3style

Veteran

For a wedding, I like dress number one on you the most and the dress from number 6 is a close second.

I liked the gray dress on first impression, but if you want it as a work dress which gets cleaned frequently, I would go up a size and then hem the bottom and wear a belt. For myself, I'd dress it up with lots of silver accessories a fun gauzy cape or metallic thread short cardigan and silver shoes and wear it to a wedding, but it depends upon your cultural norms.

8 years ago

RobinF

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I love #1 for the wedding. It's really pretty and looks fab on you. I kind of agree that it isn't really work appropriate though. I like the last one for work but think it looks a little small. It might be hard to find one that will work for both work and weddings.

8 years ago

anne

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Will reply more in a sec, but here are some more views of dress one.

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8 years ago

anne

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Thanks!
Jenni, I guess it doesn't really look like a work fabric to me. And in addition, it doesn't fit well around the bust (I have tried to show that in the photo I just put up). I often have this problem with dresses, because my bust is about a size smaller than the rest of me.

3style - I was really just trying that grey dress because I was there and because Cue is brand I like but can't usually afford. (not because I'd wear it at the wedding) I actually thought it fitted pretty well and was shaped nicely with tailoring so that one wouldn't need a belt. Here's a link https://www.cue.cc/Shop/Produc.....S17/318728. I do own silver sandals

RobinF - yes I might not manage it. And I do have a lovely dress I can bring out again for the wedding. It's just an idea really

The grey dress I think is funny that I find so appealing because I do already own a grey dress. It is 17 or so years old and I really like it, thought currently not wearing it as it is on the mending pile. I'll see if I can find a picture to show you.I'm not really sure if grey is a great colour on me though.

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love the dress you originally linked to, Anne. Versatile.

8 years ago

anne

Veteran

Thanks Angie. I forgot to say that they didn't have that on in my size in the shop, so I didn't try it on. I'll have a look for in tomorrow in the city, along with the Diana Ferrari dresses that Lucy linked to.

8 years ago

Elle

Veteran

I really love the dress you linked to and because it is sleeveless, it doesn't seem too dark for a summer wedding. My one concern is whether a full length front zipper will be OK in your workplace (not sure what your dress code). My other wedding favorites are #4 and #6 - you look beautiful in both, although they won't work in most workplaces (sigh).

8 years ago

Sal

Veteran

You look lovely in these dresses- my absolute favourite is 5 but it is a party/ wedding dress... and these don't get worn so much I know...sigh.

I do have dresses that crossover work/ party and so I think you can find one. Failing that I would rewear your dress and buy a new work dress.

Or splurge with a new party dress!!

8 years ago

Liz A.

Veteran

I like your first picture best for a wedding, but would give the ones Lucy linked a try as well. Why not have the bust taken in? I don't care for the dark one in your original post especially not for a summer wedding or for work really... I'm not sure what occasion that would be appropriate for.

That grey dress looks great on you... maybe a bit of a close fit as some suggested, but that can be hard to judge from picture. It does look like you're having a problem I am very familiar with as a long torso person myself. Is the zipper buckling out a bit because of hitting too high on you?

8 years ago

anne

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Thanks Ellie, Sal and Liz. I think every dress but number 2 has had a vote now!!

Liz - yes there is a little something wrong at the back of the grey dress. I have a low slung bottom and as you said, a low torso and a swayback and I often have some loose material just above the bottom. I might be able to fix it by taking in the side seams a bit.

Angie - do you have any thoughts on the grey dress. Not as a wedding dress, just as a work dress? Especially re fit?

8 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

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I like the ones Lucy linked to, will look forward to pix of you trying them.

I agree with 3style that the grey one could be accessorized for a wedding. Do you have a silky scarf, maybe in blush or pink flowers or other warm colors?

8 years ago

anne

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Thanks Fashiontern. I'm not that keen on blush or warm pink (I didn't mention it, but I was also disappointed dress one wasn't white - I thought it was from the catalogue - but blush). I love cool pinks though, both pale and hot, and have a very suitable hot pink handbag.

Love to hear from more people on whether the grey one is wedding appropriate. I can't find a pic of my old grey dress (downfall of being on YLF so long - so many posts!) but maybe getting a new one after 16 or so years isn't so bad!

8 years ago

anne

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Elle - Yes I wonder about the zip too. I THINK it would be ok, but it did give me pause.

8 years ago

rachylou

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Gee, I like them all! Altho not the last and the white lace for the wedding... but I really like the white lace / blue cross on you(!!)

8 years ago

anne

Veteran

Thanks RL - though not sure which one you mean?

8 years ago

rachylou

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Pic 2/3 in second set of pics... I love that dress on you...

8 years ago

anne

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Ta Rl.
I am at the shop. Here's the one Angie liked. First one is smaller size

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8 years ago

anne

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And here the grey dress one size up. Please excuse uncropped pics

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8 years ago

Jenni NZ

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I like the larger size in both of those. Still prefer the pink floral dress with mesh though.

8 years ago

anne

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Thanks for anyone whose slogged through my live blogging shopping trip.

Diana Ferrari - I couldn't find any shops with clothes. The ones listed as stockists I think just have her shoes.

RL - thanks! Well now I have a vote for all of them. It's black and white though, not blue. I'd need to go a size down for that one I think.

Jenni - thanks! My preference in RL is for the smaller size, but that's partly because I've bought things from this shop in this fabric before, and they tend to stretch, and also because I'm currently trying to lose weight (have lost some, hopefully a bit more to go). But I think the bigger sizes look ok.

Liz A - not sure about taking the bust in. I have managed it before but isn't easy. Part of my worry is that the stretchy mesh top of the bodice isn't very strong, and I can see the whole thing dragging down.

I so appreciate everyone who has chimed in so far.

8 years ago

rachylou

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Both of those are great to my eye... the grey maybe tho should be shorter. I think I like the smaller sizes...

8 years ago

anne

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I do too Rachy, and I think the length is better on the grey smaller one.

I actually really liked the green floral one, though I think it looked better in RL. I do look very peary in the pics (mind you I AM pear shaped, though I keep forgetting that)

8 years ago

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