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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:
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Gwenhwyfar · 02/05/2026 16:09

"Have you considered that as she is very knowledgable about clothes she may know more than you?"

Ha ha ha ha. You've never heard of fashion victims?

RaisinRainbow · 02/05/2026 16:09

Thanks for sharing the photo. My first reaction was a sharp intake of breath - a gasp! And I said outloud - wow that really is hideous. I can well imagine that slipping out in the moment as that dress really is quite the confection. I googled it and it is eye-wateringly expensive to boot. Maybe it will look better on but it's ticking too many boxes: naff shade of pink, metallic/irridescent wet-look sheen, oh! the ruffles! too many tiers. Honestly it's the type of dress I might have wailed my eyes out through being forced to wear as a bridesmaid in the early 80s. It's all wrong - the price tag is a further insult, IT IS objectively hideous.

WhatDoRacoonsSay · 02/05/2026 16:09

Gwenhwyfar · 02/05/2026 16:08

Yes. I always laugh at people with lots of piercings, colourful hair, etc. complaining that people stare at them!

Saaaaame

PivotPivotmakingmargaritas · 02/05/2026 16:09

What’s the saying… you can tell when a designer loves women or hates them… in this case … hates them … openly laughing at the women who buy the dress

tartyflette · 02/05/2026 16:08

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:

Er, wow. I have no more words except to say you’re not wrong, OP.

ForCosyLion · 02/05/2026 16:08

BinNightTonight · 02/05/2026 15:33

I want to see the dress Grin

I SO want to see it! OP, can you link it, if you know where it's from? Or just describe it? Am so curious.

Grammarninja · 02/05/2026 16:08

She's chosen this dress because she knows it's not the norm. She hardly expected to go out in it without receiving polar opinions. If anything, I'd say that was what she was aiming for. I wouldn't worry about your reaction. She's clearly not too fussed about negative opinions generally if she's willing to risk an outfit like this!

Gwenhwyfar · 02/05/2026 16:08

Leavesandthings · 02/05/2026 15:40

People who dress extremely boldly, and in a way intended to get a reaction, should take it on the chin if someone else doesn't like it!
It's par of the course.

Yes. I always laugh at people with lots of piercings, colourful hair, etc. complaining that people stare at them!

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 02/05/2026 16:08

HereAndNo · 02/05/2026 16:04

Am wondering if it’s a bit better here.

Trust me, it isn't.

AgnesMcDoo · 02/05/2026 16:07

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:

You are right. It’s gawd awful 🤢

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 02/05/2026 16:07

My DD would have LOVED that when she was four.

Even if your friend is slender, has model looks and walks like she's straight off the catwalk, that dress is going to be a tough act to carry off.

I think you just sit back now, OP and let your friend come to you. But my god, I hope there are no horses to frighten at the event she's wearing that dress to.

WhatDoRacoonsSay · 02/05/2026 16:07

RanyaJerodung · 02/05/2026 16:05

Added bonus.

A warning to avoid the mad lady with more money than sense?

dapsnotplimsolls · 02/05/2026 16:07

If they gave contestants on the Sewing Bee a pile of pink bin bags ...

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 02/05/2026 16:07

That's utterly hideous.

AvacadoChic · 02/05/2026 16:07

AccordingToWhom · 02/05/2026 15:53

There is such a thing as objectively hideous after all.

Hahaha. Yes it seems that there is.

OP you did nothing wrong. You can't help looking suprised when your are suprised. She is being ridiculous if she is sulking just because you didn't like her new dress. She's not 4 years old. I wouldn't be legitimising the sulking by continue to text and apologise.

Alternatively, she might just be busy, and just not have had time to reply.

RanyaJerodung · 02/05/2026 16:05

WhatDoRacoonsSay · 02/05/2026 16:05

I can almost hear it rustling.

Added bonus.

GCAcademic · 02/05/2026 16:05

I reckon she's winding you up. It's the only explanation.

WhatDoRacoonsSay · 02/05/2026 16:05

ShowOfHands · 02/05/2026 15:52

I can almost hear it rustling.

RanyaJerodung · 02/05/2026 16:05

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:

Not something I'd wear, but if she likes it, no problem.

JackandVictor · 02/05/2026 16:04

AccordingToWhom · 02/05/2026 15:53

There is such a thing as objectively hideous after all.

Agreed 😱

HereAndNo · 02/05/2026 16:04

Am wondering if it’s a bit better here.

Friend’s awful dress and my reaction
GCAcademic · 02/05/2026 16:04

Oh my. Maybe it looks better in real life? <clutches at straws>

OhLookLouis · 02/05/2026 16:04

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. My. Christ.
That's not bold.
That's a toddler's party dress made in an adult size.
It looks shiny and itchy.
I couldn't have pretended she'd made a good choice, either.

Lindy2 · 02/05/2026 16:04

😂 Oh my!

It looks like it could melt on a hot day. I can just hear it crinkling as she tries to sit down.

I think a lot of people would find it hard to say that dress is nice. You've not done anything wrong OP. If she's brave enough to go for an unusually bold choice like that, then she needs to be brave enough to understand that it will divide opinion and quite a lot of people are not going to like it.

It doesn't mean she shouldn't wear it if she wants to but she needs to not need to seek other people's approval.

Pandasarethebest · 02/05/2026 16:04

When I looked at it on the website even the model isn't showing her face wearing it 😬.

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