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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
Kokonimater · 03/05/2026 04:12

You didn’t go anything wrong. You just showed an honest reaction. Your friend is being silly if they’ve got the hump about it. She shouldn’t have asked if she didn’t want a reaction. Just leave it. You’ve messaged. She’s not replied. It’s on her now.

Mightymighty · 03/05/2026 03:35

SummerFate · 02/05/2026 15:36

I want to, but it’s very distinctive. Although to be fair friend thinks I’m mad for using Mumsnet, so she’s unlikely to see it 😁

Good idea not to show it. That could ruin a friendship. She is being ridiculous though. Oh, I see you posted a pic. Have fun with your little game, I guess.

OhcantthInkofaname · 03/05/2026 03:27

My aunt Maggie had curtains like that.

I'm sorry it is hideous.

ButterYellowHair · 03/05/2026 02:58

Just leave it - she asked your opinion and you gave it! She invited a response. You haven’t done anything wrong.

PhaedraTwo · 03/05/2026 02:48

FeliciaFancybottom · 02/05/2026 15:48

Is it this?

I think that dress is beautiful - although the scenario on this thread seems to be fake.

SummerFate · 03/05/2026 02:45

DeftGoldHedgehog · 03/05/2026 02:27

You've hardly covered yourself in glory on this thread, OP. If you are coming on here to gossip and bitch about someone, at least own it.

No.

OP posts:
SummerFate · 03/05/2026 02:44

Tikitaka20 · 03/05/2026 01:25

Here’s a list of the posters I could find, from a quick skim of the thread, who’ve disagreed with at least one of your posts, Summer:

@Dodorogers
@user233675892
@ThreadGuardDog
@faithfultoGeorgeMichael
@Dancingsquirrels
@EmeraldShamrock000
@newornotnew
@SurferRona
@PhaedraTwo
@reprobates10
@Sourandsweet1

Edited

You want to get out more.

OP posts:
Pugsrock · 03/05/2026 02:38

@SummerFate I don't understand why so many ppl are getting antsy with you. Personally, I think you've been a good, honest friend. I would rather my friends were honest to me if I showed them the same dress ( I showed a few) the dress your friend bought and they all thought the same as you. If we can't be honest to our friends there's a bit of a problem. I'm with you 💯

DeftGoldHedgehog · 03/05/2026 02:27

You've hardly covered yourself in glory on this thread, OP. If you are coming on here to gossip and bitch about someone, at least own it.

ValhallaCalling · 03/05/2026 02:19

Tikitaka20 · 03/05/2026 01:25

Here’s a list of the posters I could find, from a quick skim of the thread, who’ve disagreed with at least one of your posts, Summer:

@Dodorogers
@user233675892
@ThreadGuardDog
@faithfultoGeorgeMichael
@Dancingsquirrels
@EmeraldShamrock000
@newornotnew
@SurferRona
@PhaedraTwo
@reprobates10
@Sourandsweet1

Edited

God you're like a dog with a bone! Get a life!

Crwysmam · 03/05/2026 01:57

My first reaction on seeing the dress was the toilet roll covers popular in the 1970s.

Friend’s awful dress and my reaction
PyongyangKipperbang · 03/05/2026 01:33

Tikitaka20 · 03/05/2026 01:25

Here’s a list of the posters I could find, from a quick skim of the thread, who’ve disagreed with at least one of your posts, Summer:

@Dodorogers
@user233675892
@ThreadGuardDog
@faithfultoGeorgeMichael
@Dancingsquirrels
@EmeraldShamrock000
@newornotnew
@SurferRona
@PhaedraTwo
@reprobates10
@Sourandsweet1

Edited

Drop the bone mate! Go to bed or watch a film.

This really isnt worth that level of research and suggests that you are verging on obsession!

2O26 · 03/05/2026 01:28

SummerFate · 03/05/2026 01:18

The vast majority of people across 24 pages hated this dress. Do you really think it’s that unlikely two people hated it four years apart?

OP, I was supporting you. 3 years ago Monica thought the dress was so ugly that she decided to prank her friends and said she was considering buying it so she could see how horrified they were. Three laters, the dress is still ugly which explains why you couldn't help yourself and react with a look of shock. Trying to help you out OP.

Tikitaka20 · 03/05/2026 01:25

SummerFate · 03/05/2026 01:09

I think between the “two” of you, you can entertain yourself.

Here’s a list of the posters I could find, from a quick skim of the thread, who’ve disagreed with at least one of your posts, Summer:

@Dodorogers
@user233675892
@ThreadGuardDog
@faithfultoGeorgeMichael
@Dancingsquirrels
@EmeraldShamrock000
@newornotnew
@SurferRona
@PhaedraTwo
@reprobates10
@Sourandsweet1

user233675892 · 03/05/2026 01:22

Let's talk about your poor 'friend's' feelings. I'm assuming the reason you're up so late is because you're trying to come up with ways to make things right with her?

SummerFate · 03/05/2026 01:20

PhaedraTwo · 03/05/2026 01:18

So basically 25 pages of wasted time? Reading only the OP's posts she comes across as very unpleasant.

Well if you’ve only read my posts, you haven’t wasted 25 pages’ worth of time, have you? And how is it more of a waste of time than any other thread?

OP posts:
user233675892 · 03/05/2026 01:20

This reply has been deleted

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

Um, ok?

PhaedraTwo · 03/05/2026 01:18

user233675892 · 03/05/2026 01:13

Oh, what a coincidence! How very strange.

So basically 25 pages of wasted time? Reading only the OP's posts she comes across as very unpleasant.

SummerFate · 03/05/2026 01:18

2O26 · 03/05/2026 01:07

Jan 28, 2023, a post from Monica:
Decided to Prank some of my friends & family by sending them a really ugly dress that I’m “ thinking of purchasing”, here’s how it went:
The dress in the video Monica uploaded is the exact same dress as OP's friend:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1685642085188263

Edited

The vast majority of people across 24 pages hated this dress. Do you really think it’s that unlikely two people hated it four years apart?

OP posts:
SummerFate · 03/05/2026 01:17

This reply has been deleted

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

user233675892 · 03/05/2026 01:13

2O26 · 03/05/2026 01:07

Jan 28, 2023, a post from Monica:
Decided to Prank some of my friends & family by sending them a really ugly dress that I’m “ thinking of purchasing”, here’s how it went:
The dress in the video Monica uploaded is the exact same dress as OP's friend:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1685642085188263

Edited

Oh, what a coincidence! How very strange.

durdledoris · 03/05/2026 01:13

She shouldn't have asked if she didn't want to know

user233675892 · 03/05/2026 01:12

SummerFate · 03/05/2026 01:09

I think between the “two” of you, you can entertain yourself.

Sorry?

SummerFate · 03/05/2026 01:09

This reply has been deleted

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

I think between the “two” of you, you can entertain yourself.

OP posts:
user233675892 · 03/05/2026 01:07

This reply has been deleted

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