Help please. Don't trust own taste any more. Gorgeous or hideous?

[frillyflower]

Please help S&B gurus. I have to go to a wedding next week - just a guest & bride not close relative (so no fascinators!).

In long and unhappy hunt for a dress I finally bought this

Is this OK? I am size 14 (bit lumpy but OK if I hold my stomach in) and plan to wear with black tights, black shoes, black & bronze embroidered shawl (if outside and cold) and black clutch.

Wouldn't normally have bought from M&S as afraid of Per Una Effect and worried other people wearing the same, but the colour suited me and was bargainous price and only going to wear once probably (more of a jeans and boots woman normally).
You like or hate?

[mirpuppet]

couldn't get link to work is it this?

www.marksandspencer.com/Autograph-Twisted-Front-Slinky-Dress/dp/B008CVDKFG

If so I'm not a fan it doesn't look great on model; probably not so great on mere mortals.

[frillyflower]

Sorry link didn't work Is this

[rockinastocking]

I like, but not sure about wearing it with a black and bronze shawl.

[frillyflower]

See! I knew I had lost all taste. What the heck can I wear then?

[frillyflower]

Shawl is black pashmina with bronze embroidery. Was thinking I would take in case it's cold. Don't want to have to buy a new coat!

[armedtotheteeth]

It's quite clingy on the model's bum - would need control underwear I think! How does it look on you fit-wise? I like tge colour but unsure overall. However m&s have notoriously bad photos on their website...

[bettyspaghetti33]

I couldn't get your link to work either OP but if mirpuppet's link is correct I think its a nice enough dress. The colour is nice and will go well with black, also the twist at the front maybe generous enough to hide a little bit a tum. Have you thought of wearing a tummy support/support pants underneath?

[frillyflower]

Yes have pants of steel ready. Also have quite small bottom (tmi sorry!) despite wobbly stomach.

Honestly I tried on loads of dresses in Debenhams (Coast, Principles) and they were all cheap fabric, too clingy or weird fit and cost about £100.
This one has better fabric (although synthetic) and nice colour - just unsure of style and M&S effect.

I don't want to get something in Jaeger or similar as sick of buying expensive things to wear once.

[bettyspaghetti33]

Yes I applaude your success at finding a reasonably priced dress! I was shopping for dresses myself the other day and couldn't find anything (even in the sale) for under £80 so you're doing well.

I think the style of the dress says smart but not over the top, afterall as you said you are not a principle member at this wedding.

Have you actually tried it on in the shop? I wouldn't advise buying this one on the internet.

[trixymalixy]

I think it's lovely. I would wear a fur wrap type thing with it for a vintage look with red lipstick.

[frillyflower]

Yes Betty I tried it on (in a 12, 14 and 16 as M&S had the wrong sizes on the wrong hangers!). The best thing is the colour that really suits me (although I have never worn it before and usually wear black).

Also I thought if I wore black tights and these which I already have, it would look less formal but still smart.

Re dresses - I feel your pain. I couldn't believe the poor quality and bad fit for £100 plus.

[bettyspaghetti33]

Oooo yes liking the shoes.

I think black shoes and tights are definitely the way to go and couple it with a black shawl/wrap you'll be spot on. It's not too formal, the sort of dress you could wear again for other things as well so worth accessorising for. I really like the colour too, think its fab.

Do primark still do shawl type things? A few years ago they did and may save you a bit as some of these accessories can end up costing more than the clothes.

Yes its really crazy what passes for quality these days, the amount of garish gumph I had to trawl through before I found something passable was unbelievable.

[lurkingaround]

Love the shoes.

I think trixy is right, a fur wrap would be perfect. It would be just the thing to smarten it. And there's lots about, inexpensive ones.

You will be lovely.

[higgle]

Please don't worry about having lost your style mojo,frillyflower, those shoes are georgeous! M&S dresses always loook hideous on the website pictures, if that colour really suits you I'm sure you will look great.

[trixymalixy]

I love chie mihara shoes

There are loads of inexpensive faux fur stoles around. here for example

New look had loads last year. Could only find this on their website, but worth a look instore. I'm sure I saw one in Primark too.

[frillyflower]

Thanks so much lovely S&B Folks!

I have just remembered that I have a REAL fur stole (my late mum's). Maybe I will take that (it's a military wedding so I don't think there will be many anti-fur types there apart from my own lot ironically and I will ignore them!).

Male guests have it easy (they can just wear a suit).

Have to say that I had not been in M&S for ages and I thought they are really trying to have some better stuff - nicer fabrics and colours, dresses with sleeves can be found. But found with maximum difficulty as all over the place and you have to wade through racks of horrible polyester trousers and weird acrylic pastel jumpers.