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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
harriethoyle · 02/05/2026 17:46

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:

Oh sweet Jesus that is fucking HIDEOUS 🤣🤣🤣🤣

ruethewhirl · 02/05/2026 17:44

AmpleSwan · 02/05/2026 17:41

of eyes presumably

There are times when I really miss the laugh reaction emoji. This is one of them. 😄

ruethewhirl · 02/05/2026 17:42

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:

Tbf I think that does fall into the objectively hideous category. 😬But even if it didn't... if she's going to make 'out there' fashion choices then she needs to own them, and she needs to be less bothered by other people's opinions. Sounds like she's not sure about this one herself, but it's unfair of her to react like this just because your face betrayed your thoughts.

Catterbat · 02/05/2026 17:42

myspace · 02/05/2026 16:53

Could be adapted.

  1. make into a skirt with a very simple black top.
  2. take off top flounce - make spaghetti straps - take off wrist flounce anc]d add cuffs to match belt

3 - throw it in the fucking sea

AmpleSwan · 02/05/2026 17:41

crazeekat · 02/05/2026 16:15

She needs to grow a pair.

of eyes presumably

Calliopespa · 02/05/2026 17:41

Shufflebumnessie · 02/05/2026 17:24

My first thought was an 80s bridesmaid dress. Just needs a giant bow on the back!

I was alive in the 80's. It wasn't that bad!!!

Theunamedcat · 02/05/2026 17:40

Riverpaddling · 02/05/2026 15:54

Is it made from nappy sacks?

Did you mean to me so....accurate 😱

Beachtastic · 02/05/2026 17:39

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:

Yes that dress is unforgivable. She should be apologising to YOU for offence, OP!!! 😲😂

ForeverTheOptomist · 02/05/2026 17:36

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:

Speechless. Which is rare.

chocolateaddictions · 02/05/2026 17:35

lol OP Yanbu at all 😂

shuddacuddadidnt · 02/05/2026 17:31

JanBlues2026 · 02/05/2026 16:49

I think this styling makes it look good

Hahaha, it looks even worse with the added fake jewellery bling! (imho)

Thecup · 02/05/2026 17:29

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:

Hideous is an understatement

Daftypants · 02/05/2026 17:29

It’s hideous 🤣🤣

paulhollywoodshairgel · 02/05/2026 17:26

You’re right that is hideous. It looks like a bad 80s bridesmaid dress.

Shufflebumnessie · 02/05/2026 17:24

Sassylovesbooks · 02/05/2026 17:11

Now you've posted a picture of the dress, I can understand why you reacted in the way you have!! I think it's understandable that you reacted, before your brain had the chance to engage!! The dress is truly awful. It reminds me of an 80's over-the-top wedding dress, in some kind of shiny satin material 😱😱😱

My first thought was an 80s bridesmaid dress. Just needs a giant bow on the back!

74username74 · 02/05/2026 17:23

Dodorogers · 02/05/2026 16:50

It’s very Muriel

It is. Or Eugenie & Beatrice.

3luckystars · 02/05/2026 17:22

Oh no she didn’t !

helpnavigateteens · 02/05/2026 17:22

InfrequentPropolis · 02/05/2026 15:54

Yes. That is objectively hideous. She should be thanking you for staging an intervention. Apart from anything else it looks aggressively flammable.

😂

Tikitaka20 · 02/05/2026 17:22

CoastlineAtlantic · 02/05/2026 17:02

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.
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.

Just two quote examples of, what I'd call being more diplomatic than not, from OP's first post ( there may be more examples).

Would OP be as horrified if the dress hadn't cost as much as it did, I wonder?

Afterall, it wasn't her choice and she didn't have to wear it, but initial facial reactions are sometimes difficult to control.

Friend was being unreasonable to think every item of clothing she showed her friend had to be approved of by her!

Thanks. Yes, maybe the dress’s price further affected OP’s thoughts on it.

LadyWiddiothethird · 02/05/2026 17:20

That dress is pricelessly hysterical.Reminds me of the hat Beatrice wore to a Royal wedding,which she later auctioned on EBay and it fetched a fortune for charity.

Rewis · 02/05/2026 17:20

I have a friend with an interesting style. Her day to day wear is quite basic but she does a lot of public appearances and to those she likes to wear outfits that are quite out there. When my opinion is asked, I say "how do you feel in that dress?" And based on that i can give her my opinion. Highly reccomend.

As for now, you've apologised and explained yourself. You were not rude. Let it blow over.

sesquipedalian · 02/05/2026 17:19

OP, it looks as though it’s made of pink bin liner! I fear my face would have given me away had I been asked for an opinion - and it cost how much????

Sarahc36 · 02/05/2026 17:16

My first thought on seeing this photo was one of my dad’s phrases (in jest) “are you wearing that for a bet?”!
My face gives me away constantly even though I always want to be kind. I would totally have failed here too. Don’t beat yourself up, you sound like a kind person.

3luckystars · 02/05/2026 17:16

My sister can’t hide what she is thinking. It’s like she has subtitles in her face. I really value her opinion.

Stick to your guns. You are honest.

Netcurtainnelly · 02/05/2026 17:14

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.

women are so problematic aren't they?
She needs to not ask you anymore.