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Friend’s awful dress and my reaction

984 replies

SummerFate · 02/05/2026 15:28

A friend is mine is quite heavily into fashion and spends a lot on clothes. Some of her choices are quite bold and not necessarily what I would pick, but she has a good figure and is quite distinctive looking, so can generally pull off something a bit more “out there”.

However, yesterday she showed me the dress she has spent a fortune on for an event - and it’s hideous. Not “not to my taste” - objectively hideous. And my face reacted before my brain could tell it to keep quiet.

She could tell immediately that I thought it was awful and she looked really upset. She said straight out, “You hate it, don’t you?”, and while I tried to say it just wasn’t my personal cup of tea, it was too late. It was obvious I hated it. I said we all have different tastes, what suits her wouldn’t suit me and that I’ve seen things look amazing on her that I could never wear, but the rest of the evening was really awkward.

I’ve messaged this morning saying I’m sorry if I upset her and that I didn’t mean to, and that she shouldn’t let what I think affect her choice. She hasn’t replied.

How do I fix this? Do I just hope it blows over? I know I should have tried to hide my thoughts, but when she said she’d spent twice what I pay a month for my mortgage, I was expecting something amazing - I just couldn’t hide my reaction when I saw this monstrosity.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
32
Krautie · 03/05/2026 11:41

I‘m known for my restrained dress style, hoping for the quiet luxury look, but I actually like the dress

Reallyneedsaholiday · 03/05/2026 11:34

FurryWastebin · 03/05/2026 11:22

Me too!

If you click on “see all” on OPs original post, it will show you all of her posts, including the link to the dress. Saves you scrolling.

WinterBlues26 · 03/05/2026 11:34

I don't think I could have kept a neutral face either 😮

@SummerFate - some advice.
"Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig likes it." This proverb advises against engaging in futile, petty arguments with someone who thrives on conflict, as both parties end up degraded, but the antagonist enjoys the process.

Reallyneedsaholiday · 03/05/2026 11:32

Ok, so the dress is absolutely “objectively hideous”, but we all know that this thread is going viral, and OP just burned any bridges with said “friend” 😂😂😂

MargoChanningsglass · 03/05/2026 11:29

First of all the dress is shite.

Im sitting on a Sunday morning agog at this thread.

All this talk about cowardly and posting through the wee small hours and investigating other threads etc🤣

Every single person posting is anonymous here, people post about some quite awful things, abuse, SA, stealing, and it gets hot and heavy but for fuck sake getting yourself energised and throwing out shite for hours about a dress and how awful the OP is, is bloody deranged😆

Op is no more cowardly than any single poster on here and even if the whole thread is a hoax its soooo telling how het up folk have got.

Mumsnet at this finest

Tikitaka20 · 03/05/2026 11:26

SummerFate · 03/05/2026 11:06

Was it kind to tell me I’m a shit friend and that you hope my friend ghosts me? Was it kind to call me a coward? Was it kind to go through the thread to make a (short) list of people who disagreed with me?

No, those things were not kind. I apologise for those. I still stand by them though. By the same token, were you kind to have started this thread and to still be at it this morning?

FurryWastebin · 03/05/2026 11:24

SummerFate · 02/05/2026 15:48

Well, it’s your fault if she finds the thread and never speaks to me again 😄 But here it is:

Um, ok.... on the plus side it's not florals.

FurryWastebin · 03/05/2026 11:22

BinNightTonight · 02/05/2026 15:33

I want to see the dress Grin

Me too!

user233675892 · 03/05/2026 11:21

How do I fix this? Do I just hope it blows over?

So when do we go back to tackling your big concern of, you know, repairing things with your friend?

Switcher · 03/05/2026 11:18

You can't help what your face does. My face would also be doing OMFG.

Notasbigasithink · 03/05/2026 11:15

SummerFate · 02/05/2026 15:48

Well, it’s your fault if she finds the thread and never speaks to me again 😄 But here it is:

Thats fucking hideous 😂😂😂😂

SummerFate · 03/05/2026 11:07

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

@ImaniMumsnet Another one for you.

OP posts:
SummerFate · 03/05/2026 11:06

Tikitaka20 · 03/05/2026 10:56

I don’t think I’ve been unkind.

Was it kind to tell me I’m a shit friend and that you hope my friend ghosts me? Was it kind to call me a coward? Was it kind to go through the thread to make a (short) list of people who disagreed with me?

OP posts:
WhatHappenedToYourFurnitureCuz · 03/05/2026 11:02

Tikitaka20 · 03/05/2026 10:56

I don’t think I’ve been unkind.

Gosh.

SurferRona · 03/05/2026 11:02

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

CunningLinguist2 · 03/05/2026 11:01

SummerFate · 02/05/2026 15:48

Well, it’s your fault if she finds the thread and never speaks to me again 😄 But here it is:

I wouldn’t have kept a neutral or straight face to that either. Good on your friend to want to & be the type to potentially carry it off, but I’d have had a telling face too. She loves it, you don’t, grown women can handle both of those truths, the end :)

Mathsbabe · 03/05/2026 11:00

It's a fun attention seeking dress

Tikitaka20 · 03/05/2026 10:59

SummerFate · 03/05/2026 10:43

“Cowardly” 😆😆😆

Why is that funny?

Tikitaka20 · 03/05/2026 10:58

SummerFate · 03/05/2026 10:45

@ImaniMumsnet I hope you will be having stern words with @Tikitaka20 and advising her that consistent abuse of an OP is not acceptable.

How have I abused you? I haven’t sworn at you and I haven’t attacked you. I’ve been very civil to you. If I’d abused you, MNHQ would - rightly - have deleted my posts.

LongDarkTeatime · 03/05/2026 10:57

EmeraldShamrock000 · 02/05/2026 19:05

Yes. Learn to use a plain face. Your opinion shouldn’t be strong enough to read it from your face, especially over a dress

This has just confirmed we a fully entrenched in the era of Botox 😢
Long live the expressive face 😀😮😂

Tikitaka20 · 03/05/2026 10:56

WhatHappenedToYourFurnitureCuz · 03/05/2026 10:48

Do you think you've been nice and kind while preaching at the OP to be nice and kind?

I don’t think I’ve been unkind.

Tikitaka20 · 03/05/2026 10:56

Leavesandthings · 03/05/2026 10:51

And do you @Tikitaka20 think you have been cognizant to the fact that you don't actually know the OP or the situation beyond a few sentences on a post on a message board?

Your post is a little confusing, but I think you’re saying: do I realise I don’t know the OP and the situation beyond what she’s posted on here? Yes, I realise that. My posts are showing what I do know of her and the situation.

Tikitaka20 · 03/05/2026 10:53

Leavesandthings · 03/05/2026 10:35

Why haven't you said your piece and moved on?

Why are you repeating yourself and being obsessed and nasty about it?

Because I wanted to explain to MerryOldGost why I thought the OP was being cowardly. Why are you telling me what I should and should not say?

SummerFate · 03/05/2026 10:51

ginasevern · 03/05/2026 10:43

No worries Tiki, got it. I didn't read the subsequent comment the OP made and I agree it is rather telling.

I’m confused. How can a comment you didn’t read be “telling”?

OP posts:
Leavesandthings · 03/05/2026 10:51

WhatHappenedToYourFurnitureCuz · 03/05/2026 10:48

Do you think you've been nice and kind while preaching at the OP to be nice and kind?

And do you @Tikitaka20 think you have been cognizant to the fact that you don't actually know the OP or the situation beyond a few sentences on a post on a message board?