Friend’s awful dress and my reaction

[SummerFate]

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.

It's a dress. Why should you like it? She's crackers, your reaction will either make her see it differently or reinforce her love for it. Win win. Not your problem.

This is a joke thread, right?

I hope.

OP, just thought I’d let you know the Daily Mail have picked up this thread.

As a former goth and current weird outfit woman, if you dress like that you just need to accept not everyone likes it. Most people on my estate hated my demonias but I didn’t care. Do I love the dress? No, I think it’s ugly, but many people don’t like how I dress or how I used to dress and that’s okay. If you dress weird, people are gonna think you dress weird. It’s not a judgement on you it’s their opinion. I’m sure she will meet people who love it in her fashion community. Surly if she dresses like this on the regular she is used to a bit of pushback?

It's horrible. But she liked it. And given you've been a witness to all her other fashion disasters, you should have been well prepared for her to produce the latest horror and responded accordingly.

So you've hurt her feelings. Big whoop. She needs to put on her big girl pants. You've apologised. This isn't a reason to end a friendship.

Jesus Christ? Who killed Baby Jane? That dress, probably.

I voted Yabu because you’ve done everything you can. You handled it well, you apologised and everything you said was tactful so Yabu to worry about it any more.

No way thats the dress 😂

My friend had a prom dress a lot like that in the ‘80s except it was peach shot taffeta!

OMG I had to wear a bridesmaid dress in a similar colour and style in the 80s. Ra-ra skirt inspired!
🤮
When my parents died I burned the photographs.

This is a Dolce & Gabbana pink metallic ruffled dress with a layered, off-the-shoulder design.

Its a bargain, currently only half price at £1500 😂

It looks like it’s made of bacon.

What's wrong with wanting to look like a packet of wafer ham?

I once had a friend say a hat I was wearing was hideous, she actually said those words. I was mildly pissed off but decided it wasn't hideous ( although a bit out there, yes, think a fluffy Russian hat in multicolours) and that id wear it next time I saw her, to make a bit of a statement.

Then I got on with the important business of living my life and not giving a fk.

I don't think that's the issue. Her friend asked for her opinion and she gave it.

Unfortunately when people ask us do we like something, they always plan on getting a positive reaction and answer. That's on them. Whenever I ask someone about fashion, I always prepare myself for an opposing opinion/remark etc. I love the colour purple, but my best friend hates the colour. It's not the end of the world.

If she doesn't want a differing opinion, then she shouldn't ask. She needs to be confident in her own choices and likes without needing validation from anyone else.

OMG. Yup, you’re right.

A dress can’t be objectively hideous.

Please, in 2026 we do not want any sea creatures potentially killed by having a nibble on what looks like 300 square feet of pink bin liner.
Just think of the conservationist's outcry.

Havent read the whole thread so apologies if someone has already mentioned this but my granny had a toilet roll holder that looked exactly like that

This is immediately where my mind went.

I think if you buy a dress like that you know that most people aren’t going to be keen.
Context is also important.
I am thinking of a sunny villa in Italy, or even the Las Vegas strip, with a golden tan, fabulous shoes and huge sunglasses - someone could carry that off.
But if it’s for a standard British wedding, it’s going to look bonkers. However, it will get more attention than the bride, and maybe that’s the point…..

im currently studying or shall we say im starting at zero fashion knowledge and it seems there are many various fashion styles and some are omg @SummerFate do you have the designers name and style of the dress etc ?
as for your situation, id say it is what it is sometimes the body language is more powerful than the words we use. especially when one practices deception of saying one thing but thinking another.

The fact that it’s now going for almost half price on the debenhams website says it all. I very rarely think something is completely hideous but that’s not only ugly but looks fucking awful on the model who I’m sure has an amazing figure.

does anyone know what the dress is please ?