Tell me what you think of this dress

[PeaGreene]

here

I've got a conference in London to go to on Thursday so basically I've got a lunch hour tomorrow in which to go shopping. I really need to look smart and don't have anything in my wardrobe which I'm happy with, especially given the warm weather. Am hoping that a smart dress would make a nice alternative to a boring suit. Am guessing I could wear this open neck rather than all fastened up? What do you think? Is it too dressy? Not businessy enough? And what are Betty Jackson sizings like?

[FrannyandZooey]

I like it but when i looked at similar on here everyone said Mrs Danvers

[PeaGreene]

Who's Mrs Danvers???

Well I'm probably middle aged but I'm a size 10 or 12 so perhaps?

[lovecat]

Ditto lapin, but I reckon if you jazz it up with heels and a nice funky necklace at your (open) neck it would look great - businesslike without being too formal or frumplike. I hate conferences where the dress code is business casual!

No idea on sizings, sorry.

[PeaGreene]

How do you find the lengths with Betty Jackson? It will work if it's knee length but I'm only 5ft 5 so might be calf length and that could be a bit Princess Margaret I fear...

[MoreSpamThanGlam]

I think gorgeous. Tres chic.

Very Kirstie Allsop - so I think it could also suit a fuller figure, no?

Betty Jackson is quite generous from what I remember, size wise.

[FrannyandZooey]

mrs danvers

[TsarChasm]

I think it's lovely, but only for the slim. (Which you are) Very elegant. Needs gorgeous shoes too of course.

[blousy]

(Mrs Danvers from Rebecca.) I think that dress is gorge and would look really stylish

[Janni]

It's a harsh cut and colour.

Do you have good skin tone and some nice jewellery to brighten it up a bit.

It's nice but could make someone (like me!) look very washed out.

[lilolilmanchester]

I think the dress is fine for a conference. I would wear it open necked. But it wouldn't suit me - I think you have wait and see what it looks like on you. Can you take someone with you for a second opinion? Bear in mind if you have to walk any great distance and it's sunny, black gets very hot!

[PeaGreene]

Of course, Mrs Danvers. perhaps I shoudl do my hair like that too

[PeaGreene]

No real walking. Straight from the train to the tube to the venue. Some seriously impressive people at the conference. Don't want to look like country bumpkin. Thanks all. Will give it a try.

[lilolilmanchester]

I was asking about dresses a while back - [[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=2350&threadid=519086#10540183 link here]. Some were available on the high street, if any of the shops mentioned are near you. I go to quite a few conferences & events. I think the dress thing in itself would be fine. It depends on how it looks on you.

[lilolilmanchester]

I was asking about dresses a while back - [[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=2350&threadid=519086#10540183 link here]. Some were available on the high street, if any of the shops mentioned are near you. I go to quite a few conferences & events. I think the dress thing in itself would be fine. It depends on how it looks on you.

[PeaGreene]

Success! Not only did they have it in stock in my size, they were reduced to £52 cos it's "summer spectacular" in Debenhams at the mo.

Now, which necklace from Accessorise would you wear with it ? - has to be there cos I can get there easily...

[newgirl]

i would go for nice pale brown shoes and amber or chunky brown and silver necklace as its work? can't do links but there must be something. If you brave, dark, good quality red would look good.

[PeaGreene]

Like the idea of a chunky red necklace for instance, but shoes have to be black (cos I haven't got brown ones! )

[foofi]

I like the dress. But what does "self spot" mean???

[PeaGreene]

The fabric just has a bit of a spotty pattern on it - in the fabric rather than printed on. Very small spots.

[foofi]

You lot are leading me into bad ways! Have just bought several things off that Debenhams website. (Memo to self - must not do internet shopping after 2 glasses of wine.)