I think I've found my school run dress - Seasalt Cornwall

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

What do you think of:

the red one

and

the dotty one ?

[invicta]

Love both dresses.

[derektheladyhamster]

I like them. (5ft 5.5 and size 12) They're something I'd wear.

[PareyMortas]

Frumpsville, I'm in my forties and wouldn't wear either of those dresses. My MIL would.

[Lizzylou]

I quite like the style and colour, pattern of both dresses. The length, that mid-calf length is just horrid and adds years to you as well as making legs look shorter and stump like. If they were at the knee, then yes.
I agree, too many skirts/dresses are way too short at the moment, but there is some middle ground!

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

I'm quite happy to shorten clothes, have to do it all the time.

[Umlauf]

Oh I'm so surprised! I'm 26, size 10, 5ft5 and I love them both!!!!

[IsItMeOr]

What matters is whether they actually look nice on you, surely? A dress that fits you well and suits your colouring will be your best bet.

But then I've never been a slavish follower of fashion. My brain is unable to accept that something that apparently everybody looks fantastic in if they wear it suddenly becomes hideously ugly a small number of years later.

[Dollydowser]

I like them, I think they would suit a curvy figure very well. I think it looks a bit frumpy on the model because its too long for her, and generally too big as well. But I am in my forties and curvy, so maybe thats why!

[Dawndonna]

I hate to say this, I'm 54 and I wear Seasalt. I'm not frumptastic, but for easy not thinking about it, not being mutton dressed as lamb and being an aging hippy, it's perfect. If you're under 45 I wouldn't go with it. But that may just be me and maybe I do look mutton/lamb like!

[Fillyjonk75]

I know this is S&B but I'm just surprised anyone plans what to wear on the school run!

[YoniTime]

I'm young ad I buy things from Seasalt - I'm wearing one of their bretons right now in fact. Now I'm really worried about looking like Frumpy McFrumperson. I know their stuff is a bit frumpy and perhaps meant for older people but it's also generally of good quality, and I find that difficult to find these days.

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

Oh that's just phrase I used to see on here, I don't!

[happyreindeer]

I am nearly 50 and wear converse etc. and would definately rather be on the mutton side of the fence.I agree it is all in the dresses length that is making them frumpy.

[teacherwith2kids]

Have you looked at Mistral?

I wear Mistral dresses for work - primary teacher - because I can't be bothered to decide what to wear each morning, they are comfy, practical, wash like a dream, last for years and are COTTON. Similar kind of idea to the Sea Salt dress but in general a little shorter and slightly bolder prints. A kind of Sea Salt / White Stuff cross, if you will.

Yes, I am probably frumpy. But as someone whose absolutely highest aim in sartorial terms is being un-noticeable (as in, not absolutely shriekingly badly dressesd), I don't care. Especially as the material is wonderfully eczema-kind (one of the reasons I seek mainly to be unnoticeable as an adult is that I spent my entire childhood dressed primarily in bandages as otherwise my eczema bled over everything).

[dexter73]

I think they would be fine if you shortened them a bit. It is hard to find nice dresses, as you can tell as no-one has linked to anything they think is nicer!

[TheCatcherInTheRye]

They both look like very comfortable, cute, easy to throw on dresses, perfect for a school run OP!

[buttercrumble]

Prefer the second one, the length of the red one is too long

[Lizzylou]

Shorten them to knee length and it's a winner I would say.

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

Thanks for all suggestions and comments!

I'd still really appreciate any more replies to the question of whether something can be a line, printed, have sleeves and not be frumpy? If its the length, which seems to be the main objection, then that is not a problem, and I agree.

And apologies if I've come across snippy, not intended.

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

Thanks lizzy Lou, I think I will.

[AngryFeet]

I am the same shape as you and they are definitely a bit frumpy. I would go for something like this m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_103020831143_-1

[Exhaustipated]

I like those dresses - they are a certain style which I wouldn't call frumpy necessarily. Worn in the right way they could be more vintage/slightly alternative/funky.

No it's not super smart skinny jeans and blazer type style, but that dosent mean frumpy imo. I personally wouldn't wear that length, as I am chubby-ish with skinny legs, so need to show them off! Fwiw I'm in my late twenties and not frumpy at all I hope

Go for it op- especially with nice accessories.

[MrsMaryCooper]

I think the red one is lovely - would probably go for the other print though. It won't look frumpy if you have good legs and decent shoes.

[Exhaustipated]

Oooh x post AngryFeet - I love that dress! And yes it is a better length imo. Will be back with a link to another dress.