Business Wear Part 3: Dress It Up

So far we've discovered that suits don't have to be boring...but what if you don't want to wear a suit at all? There is, of course, another easy option the smart dress. A great quality office worthy vintage dress will see through everything from an average day at work to job interviews, networking events and presentations in a way that will ensure you appear both smart and sophisticated.  Avoiding dresses that are skin tight, noticeably short or cleavagey is always recommended of course, but aside from that go with what you fancy, there's quite literally, something for everyone in the wonderful world of vintage and second hand fashion. However my personal favourite options (examples of which I also happen to be selling in my etsy shop :p )  involve distinctive though not excessively vocal prints and a silhouette that involves elements of both tight fit and loose flowing fabric.

Make: JaegerMeasurements: Bust: 15.5", Waist: 12", Hips: 17", Length: 40"

UK 6

All measurements taken whilst flat

Condition: Fantastic vintage condition, no signs of wear and tear

£38

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77152553/designer-vintage-vintage-70s-jaeger

I absolutely adore this dress: I love the vintage 70's details with the neck-tie and long buttoned sleeves, I love the nipped in waist with loosely falling neckline and the skirt detail and I love the stylized snakeskin pattern. In fact were it not for the fact that that particular midi length is less than flattering on petite frames (at 5'1" midi lengths in general are not exactly complimentary) I doubt I'd be selling it. But for any of you lucky average hight or above size 6 ladies this dress is an absolute dream. Jaeger have always been renowned for top quality clothing (even though their designs saw them fall out of favour in the 90's before their a 21st century rebrand)  and in this dress it is immediately apparent. 

Make: David Emmanuel Collectables

Size:12

Measurements: Bust: 19", Waist: 17", Hips: 22", Length: 37.5", Shoulders:14.5"All measurements taken whilst flat

£16

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75610812/1980s-david-emmanuel-collectables-navy

David Emmanuel didn't always design for low cost, older demographic targeting Bon Marche. In fact in his time he was a highly well regarded, he was even part of the team  that designed Princess Diana's wedding dress along with his wife Elizabeth. This 80's example retains the good quality tailoring prominent in his earlier work and is the perfect dress for looking chic and respectable around the office. I also love the quirky take on polka dots! 

Again, if you're not a fan of either of the items I personally have to be selling there are plenty of good quality vintage dresses out there. As they tend to be a bit more popular then other items of clothing they also tend to be more expensive than the equivalent jackets or shirts etc on sites such as ebay and etsy. They also don't seem to show up quite so often in charity shops and car boots (again, presumably due to the popularity of the vintage dress) but there are still a fair few bargains to be had out there for the canny shopper.


H.B.
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