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Friend’s awful dress and my reaction

974 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
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.

TMI.

FormerCautiousLurker · 02/05/2026 22:06

Tikitaka20 · 02/05/2026 21:58

TMI.

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

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 !

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.

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

Ohnobackagain · 02/05/2026 22:11

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

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

Mapletree1985 · 02/05/2026 22:15

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

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?

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.

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.

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

Boopeedoop · 02/05/2026 22:19

It's a bit Widow Twanky for my taste!

Your friends reaction makes me think she isn't as confident with her choice as she says she is.

Sheldonsheher · 02/05/2026 22:20

Tbh your friend needs to get a grip. You can’t be into out there fashion and simultaneously expect people to like everything you wear. I have friends who insult me all the time about clothes or decor etc and tbh I don’t give a monkey.

blueshoes · 02/05/2026 22:20

Hideous does not do it justice

seventeenofsumday · 02/05/2026 22:20

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.

God 🤣🤣🤣🙄😂😂😂😭

FormerCautiousLurker · 02/05/2026 22:20

Tikitaka20 · 02/05/2026 22:19

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

Because I assumed the MN crowd would comment ‘stealth brag’. Apologies if I used the wrong term.was trying to see off the bit backs that derail threads. Am out of here now.

Tikitaka20 · 02/05/2026 22:24

FormerCautiousLurker · 02/05/2026 22:20

Because I assumed the MN crowd would comment ‘stealth brag’. Apologies if I used the wrong term.was trying to see off the bit backs that derail threads. Am out of here now.

Edited

I’m not sure I understand the point of this post.

jdb9803 · 02/05/2026 22:25

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:

Is it a 1980s themed event?

tryandbepositive · 02/05/2026 22:26

Horrific dress

PuggyPuggyPuggy · 02/05/2026 22:31

Dress looks like a frilly umbrella 😂

GeorgianFavade · 02/05/2026 22:32

It’s funny how male and female friendships differ on this stuff.

The other week, DH’s turned up for them both to take a taxi into town to meet some others.

The first words when he saw his friend’s shirt: “What the f* are you wearing?” - followed by them both laughing their heads off, before they both headed out the door.

chaosmaker · 02/05/2026 22:32

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:

looks like it was made out of pink bin bags. I should design fashion, could easily come up with crap like that.

@SummerFate I think your reaction was probably less horrified than it should have been, especially at the brag of how much it cost....

FernsInValley · 02/05/2026 22:34

Where is she planning to wear it?

JoyousSquid · 02/05/2026 22:39

I actually like it in this photo (not the one you posted though)

Friend’s awful dress and my reaction
GeorgianFavade · 02/05/2026 22:40

FernsInValley · 02/05/2026 22:34

Where is she planning to wear it?

When she’s a bridesmaid in 1985 by the look of it.

44andnotout · 02/05/2026 22:42

Thats a truly awful dress in my opinion-she would need a hell of a lot of confidence to carry it off. You haven't done anything wrong its actually really hard to put a neutral expression on your face. She'll get over it!!

Rainbowunicorn12 · 02/05/2026 22:53

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:

That is awful genuinely awful