Page 21 | Friend’s awful dress and my reaction

SummerFate · 2026-05-02T14:28:34+00:00

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.

Tikitaka20 · 02/05/2026 22:19

FormerCautiousLurker · 02/05/2026 22:16

Nope - I was responding to the idea that OP has a friend with more money than sense/taste (which many others have done here) and seems to feel no shame in spending that sort of money on a frivolous, ugly dress when others in her privileged position would feel appalled. Even if the dress had just been a bit meh.

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I thought you said you had lots of money and then said ‘humble brag’?

FormerCautiousLurker · 02/05/2026 22:16

Tikitaka20 · 02/05/2026 22:09

Isn’t that what you were doing with your original post though, about how you have lots and lots money to spare?

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Nope - I was responding to the idea that OP has a friend with more money than sense/taste (which many others have done here) and seems to feel no shame in spending that sort of money on a frivolous, ugly dress when others in her privileged position would feel appalled. Even if the dress had just been a bit meh.

Mapletree1985 · 02/05/2026 22:15

If she only wanted your approval she shouldn't have asked for your opinion.

thesealion · 02/05/2026 22:13

Delici · 02/05/2026 19:04

My friends often think that my clothe choices are ridiculous but I don’t care!

Same. I’m a bold dresser and a friend once burst out laughing at my outfit and told me I looked like a clown on day release. It was funny insult so I started laughing too. I’m just as cutting about her basic grey home decor. Literally couldn’t give a shit what anyone thinks about my taste! If your friend is actually upset she’s a total wet wipe

Ohnobackagain · 02/05/2026 22:11

@JudgeJ oh yes one of those dust-attracting crochet jobs 🫣😬

Tikitaka20 · 02/05/2026 22:09

FormerCautiousLurker · 02/05/2026 22:06

I felt KaleQueen needed the full context, since her response was intended to be derogatory and make someone full small.

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Isn’t that what you were doing with your original post though, about how you have lots and lots money to spare?

Blogswife · 02/05/2026 22:09

I would have laughed , so I think you did quite well . It’s awful - I don’t think anyone other than Christopher Biggens could pull that off !

FormerCautiousLurker · 02/05/2026 22:06

Tikitaka20 · 02/05/2026 21:58

TMI.

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I felt KaleQueen needed the full context, since her response was intended to be derogatory and make someone full small.

Tikitaka20 · 02/05/2026 21:58

FormerCautiousLurker · 02/05/2026 21:55

Yep - he’s off on a business trip for two weeks, flying tomorrow, so we had our regular cocktail Saturday with the kids (18 and 21). However, he is checking in on the Miami Grand prix just now, having been there last year, and I was lured here to check the threads while finishing my passionfruit martini (4 for the price of 3 in Sainsbury’s. Wicked)

So, yeah. We’re pretty fun. I still would never wear that abominable dress, though.

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TMI.

Tikitaka20 · 02/05/2026 21:57

FormerCautiousLurker · 02/05/2026 21:48

Showed the dress to DH. Still writhing on the floor laughing. Even after looking at the price. Actually that may have pushed him further over the edge. And [humble brag] we can afford to spend that sort of money on dresses if we really wished to, only I am of the mind that if I have 2k for a dress in the sales, or £15k on a designer handbag, I’d rather donate it to a medical/nursing student. So we don’t. And I get fashion. I really do… but this dress needs bloomers and a Shirley Temple with matching ringlets. It is beyond an abomination.

Hopefully OP’s friend will wake up in a few days and realise it was an insane, time of the month triggered, irrational purchase and take it back for a refund. Ideally before she has scraped her own husband off the floor after showing it to him.

Writhing on the floor laughing, eh? It seems that your wealth and smugness is inversely related to your sense of humour and self-awareness.

FormerCautiousLurker · 02/05/2026 21:55

KaleQueen · 02/05/2026 21:51

You guys know how to have fun on a Saturday evening 👍

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Yep - he’s off on a business trip for two weeks, flying tomorrow, so we had our regular cocktail Saturday with the kids (18 and 21). However, he is checking in on the Miami Grand prix just now, having been there last year, and I was lured here to check the threads while finishing my passionfruit martini (4 for the price of 3 in Sainsbury’s. Wicked)

So, yeah. We’re pretty fun. I still would never wear that abominable dress, though.

UncannyFanny · 02/05/2026 21:54

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:

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Oh come on. It’s not that bad. I mean accessorised with a bunch of Gladioli and Dame Edna’s your uncle!

KaleQueen · 02/05/2026 21:52

I couldn’t wear it but it’s certainly a statement dress and if she loves it and can pull it off then go her ❤️

KaleQueen · 02/05/2026 21:51

FormerCautiousLurker · 02/05/2026 21:48

Showed the dress to DH. Still writhing on the floor laughing. Even after looking at the price. Actually that may have pushed him further over the edge. And [humble brag] we can afford to spend that sort of money on dresses if we really wished to, only I am of the mind that if I have 2k for a dress in the sales, or £15k on a designer handbag, I’d rather donate it to a medical/nursing student. So we don’t. And I get fashion. I really do… but this dress needs bloomers and a Shirley Temple with matching ringlets. It is beyond an abomination.

Hopefully OP’s friend will wake up in a few days and realise it was an insane, time of the month triggered, irrational purchase and take it back for a refund. Ideally before she has scraped her own husband off the floor after showing it to him.

You guys know how to have fun on a Saturday evening 👍

humptydumptyfelloff · 02/05/2026 21:51

@Riverpaddling
omg I was literally thinking and posting that at the same time as you.

it looks like nappy sacks from Tescos 😳😳😳

RedRock41 · 02/05/2026 21:51

That dress is horrific… a real friend shouldn’t need to lie and say any different. £2k. Wow!

Horses7 · 02/05/2026 21:50

Yikes - it’s actually worse than I imagined 🤦‍♀️
Would have looked good in Dallas or Dynasty back in the 80s.
Ps never play poker for money btw!

FormerCautiousLurker · 02/05/2026 21:48

Showed the dress to DH. Still writhing on the floor laughing. Even after looking at the price. Actually that may have pushed him further over the edge. And [humble brag] we can afford to spend that sort of money on dresses if we really wished to, only I am of the mind that if I have 2k for a dress in the sales, or £15k on a designer handbag, I’d rather donate it to a medical/nursing student. So we don’t. And I get fashion. I really do… but this dress needs bloomers and a Shirley Temple with matching ringlets. It is beyond an abomination.

Hopefully OP’s friend will wake up in a few days and realise it was an insane, time of the month triggered, irrational purchase and take it back for a refund. Ideally before she has scraped her own husband off the floor after showing it to him.

Tikitaka20 · 02/05/2026 21:48

Terfedout · 02/05/2026 21:44

Obviously you have 100% control of your facial expressions then. Not all of us do sadly. It's not unkind. It's just a human reaction.

Anyway, I'll not derail the thread with an argument, so have a lovely evening. 😊

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I don’t think either of us are in an argument with each other.

Of course I’m not always in full control of my facial expressions. The point I’m trying to make is that the OP should have shown better manners towards her friend. The fact she’s laughed along with everyone else about how awful the dress is suggests she really doesn’t think much of her friend at all. I’m just hoping the OP isn’t part of one of my circles of friends.

Calliopespa · 02/05/2026 21:45

Ilovelifeverymuch · 02/05/2026 16:43

@SummerFate this reminds me Jayden Smith Will Smith's son since he became a brand ambassador for LV carrying around ridiculous "handbags" in the name of fashion 😂

Edited

I actually love that house bag.

Terfedout · 02/05/2026 21:44

Tikitaka20 · 02/05/2026 21:29

Sure. She purposely hurt her friend’s feelings where she says ‘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 decided not to show any tact or diplomacy, and really upset her friend. I’m presuming she’s a grown woman who normally knows how to behave and has good manners. Would it have killed her to have behaved kindly with her friend?

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Obviously you have 100% control of your facial expressions then. Not all of us do sadly. It's not unkind. It's just a human reaction.

Anyway, I'll not derail the thread with an argument, so have a lovely evening. 😊

RazorsAtDawn · 02/05/2026 21:38

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:

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Oh my. OP, this has got to be a wind up surely. I mean who in their right mind would wear that!! I would say I'm very diplomatic, but I'd have LOL'd and asked if she was being serious.

beencaughttrollin · 02/05/2026 21:34

How close are you to the friend who told you she bought this dress? I don't mean to upset you, but this specific dress has been a viral meme and the source of a lot of pranks on TikTok, etc. with people claiming to have bought this exact dress, or similar, and asking for responses.

Tikitaka20 · 02/05/2026 21:34

ScreamingBeans · 02/05/2026 21:26

I think it's absolutely horrible to tell somebody that they look nice in something when they looked dreadful.

I would much rather a friend told me I look at fright then let me go out looking a fright.

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That’s your preference. It’s obviously not the preference of OP’s friend. Part of being a good friend is knowing when you need to control what you really feel or think about something.

Rarelyout · 02/05/2026 21:32

True friends are allowed to be honest with each other. As long as the opinions are stated without any nastiness.

by the way, I think the black shoes the model is wearing are pretty awful and unflattering. In one of the photos the heels look bent as if the model couldn’t bother standing straight.