Does this dress look outdated?

[WineGetsMeThroughIt]

I've had this Ted Baker dress for 6-7 years. I do love it and it looks great on. And still fits! I'm trying to make an effort to wear more of my clothes more often and would love to wear this dress again. Only thing is I'm 40, although I look far younger (not wanting to toot my own horn, but I'm very frequently told this as well). Do you think I could still pull this off if going out for cocktails in the summer? Or have the styles changed too much now that it's just not in style anymore? Or am I just too old? I'd pretty much wear it exactly how it is on the model. I have very similar little strappy shoes and black clutch handbag

[AnaViaSalamanca]

Why do you think you are too old? Come on even if you do look your age this dress would be OK. The model looks 40+ too actually.

These days the trendy dresses are shapeless with puffy sleeves which I don’t think look good on anyone

[BlairWaldorfLovesShopping]

Considering how old it is, I don't think it looks very dated at all, and you could also dress it down with espadrilles or flat sandals. I thought it was going to be a bodycon mini dress before I opened the thread!

[Tehmina23]

It's a classic style so wouldnt look dated.

[WineGetsMeThroughIt]

@AnaViaSalamanca

Why do you think you are too old? Come on even if you do look your age this dress would be OK. The model looks 40+ too actually.

These days the trendy dresses are shapeless with puffy sleeves which I don’t think look good on anyone

I suppose just because it's a shorter style which I've not worn for a long time. I'm so used to flowy midi and maxi dresses I guess I haven't seen many shorter skater styles recently and then wondered if I'm just too old to wear them now 🤷🏼‍♀️

[WineGetsMeThroughIt]

@BlairWaldorfLovesShopping

Considering how old it is, I don't think it looks very dated at all, and you could also dress it down with espadrilles or flat sandals. I thought it was going to be a bodycon mini dress before I opened the thread!

I tend to dress very classy and classic, so definitely no body con dresses lol. I do think it's still quite a classic looking dress, but suppose it's just so different to what I've used to been wearing the past couple years I wasn't sure if I'd stand out for the wrong reasons because it's not a style you see much of anymore

[stealingbeauty]

I don’t think it’s dated. It looks like a 60s style to me, so it’s more classic than dated. It’s lovely.

[ZaraW]

It does look dated, but if you like it wear it.

[ColdTattyWaitingForSummer]

It’s not my style, but it’s more retro than dated, and if you think you look good in it I’d say go for it!

[ashmts]

I really like it but it probably is a bit dated. The dresses that are 'in fashion' are horrendous though, I hate the frills, tiers and the shapeless tent styles. Ugh. If you generally dress classic then stick with that and wear it. I wish this style of dress would come back, it's really flattering.

[bananaboats]

I like the style but wouldn't say it's particularly fashionable at the moment.

[dontgobaconmyheart]

I think the dress is nice and doesn't look 'dated' so much as is a vintage preppy sort of style in the first place. 40 isn't particularly old IMO.

For me it would be about where I'd wear it and with what footwear as I can't see how it could be worn casually. Depends what your current lifestyle is.

I'd certainly keep it and get wear out of it at some point for some sort of smart casual occasion, but probably wouldn't expect be popping out in in day to day.

[Dozer]

Looks 60s/retro rather than ‘dated’, is fine!

[userchange856]

It's a bit Blair from Gossip Girl. Probably would depend how it was styled.

[MommySharkDooDooDooDoo]

No, I don't think that's dated or that you are too old for it!

[WineGetsMeThroughIt]

Thanks ladies. I'll be waiting for the perfect occasion to wear it again then. It's definitely a dressier type dress. The material and style would look terrible with a flat shoe - at least on me because I'm 5'4.

[willowstar]

I live in a small market town in the sticks and would absolutely wear this if I was out. It is a lovely style and shape. I am 47 though

[FreekStar]

It's a nice dress- it's very a Ted Baker/Karen Millen type look which was popular a few years ago- but it's also a bit retro 60s looking too. It's not this years 'in look' but I don't think that matters. It will come back in fashion if you keep it long enough.

[sHREDDIES19]

Whoever dresses according to what’s ‘in’ needs to get a life!! If it looks nice and flatters the wearer, it’s a hit. End. Of.

[Oly4]

I love it. Current tiers and flounces are awful

[TreesAndStuff]

I saw a VERY similar style dress in a high end high st shop last week, I'd say it's not dated at all.

[ChubbyLittleManInACampervan]

It looks dated... but in a defiantly cool anti-fashion way

[Zenithbear]

If I like something that's my style and looks fab on then I'm wearing it.

[Quartz2208]

@AnaViaSalamanca

Why do you think you are too old? Come on even if you do look your age this dress would be OK. The model looks 40+ too actually.

These days the trendy dresses are shapeless with puffy sleeves which I don’t think look good on anyone

I think it’s Holly Willoughby so 40 now

[Snackz]

@sHREDDIES19

Whoever dresses according to what’s ‘in’ needs to get a life!! If it looks nice and flatters the wearer, it’s a hit. End. Of.

^ This!

[Boood]

I get you, OP. I’ve had the same dilemma with a couple of my dresses. They’re lovely, and objectively they look good, but they both have full skirts that finish a good couple of inches above the knee, and they just don’t feel right for me any more (I’m 45). I’ve got more shift/sheath-style dresses of the same length that are fine, and I’ve got below the knee full skirts that are fine, but the combination of short and full just feels too little-girly and lacking in sophistication now.