Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )

[Wigeon]

Trying to find a nice patterned dress for office-based work. This dress (Boden via eBay) looked lovely in the catalogue picture, but worried the neckline isn't flattering, makes my boobs look odd, fit makes me look fatter than I am (8-10 on top and 10-11 on bum/hips), DH thinks the pattern is aging / dowdy (I'm 35).

Honest views required please!

Thank you for all the further links - I will definitely look through them all.

Nancy - thank you for your honestly! (I think...!). I do look ok occasionally (!), but I do find it really hard to style myself. I don't think I am a very visual person. Although I know when I see someone who looks well put together and stylish. But find it hard getting there myself!

Anyway....I WENT TO BRAVISSIMO after work today and had a proper proper fitting. And....I came home with 28Fs and 30Es and matching pants. The 30DDs are history. I did need to do it because of the yo yo boobs after two pregnancies and 24 months (in total) breastfeeding two babies. So thank you to those who gave me a virtual kick up the bum.

Have also gone through everything I ordered again...and returned every damn thing. Even the navy Baukjen, which several people liked - it was just too tight in a 10, even for 'sexy dinner date with DH' wear rather than work wear. and as its in the sale they had run out of size 12s. So it's going back. However...I did previously order a couple of new tops and have dug out the closest thing to a pencil skirt which I own...

Pencil plus blouse look. The shirt is slightly shiny, in a good way (I think!), but picture isn't really showing that.

And thank you Stepaway for the belt tips - genius!

Do you think a slightly shorter skirt/dress length would be better? I feel like that's the issue with all the dresses so far. So the hem sits just above/on your knee rather than just under it.

Like the seperates. Your Mum looks amazing btw. You clearly have good genes.

(also what is that poster behind you? Been wracking my brain.)

Totally dated Wig.

Looser shirt, lighter fabric (weight), lighter colour. Skirt with colour or texture or both. No belt.

You need to think about fabrics.

Specifically, high quality ones!

Agree skirt isn't ideal length (dare I admit my mum passed it on, although to be honest I've hardly worn it). And not ideal fabric (quite bulky wool). Is my only pencil-ish skirt so was for illustration. Was planning on charity shopping it at some point.

Rooty - is the combo really that bad (if I had an better skirt)? Whenever I try on floaty silky blouses, they seem really loose and I lose all shape on top and my torso looks square/ bulky, and it completely hides one of my good points - that I've got a waist.

coffeenut - LK Bennett colour is lovely soft grey, not the horrible sort of beige which the picture makes it out to be.

I don't like the skirt- the whole outfit looks drab and like a school uniform. You could do so much better- Kaliko green dress is nice but lace for work? No.

I like the shirt. Loose blouses don't suit me either. Wearing something that suits you is much better than wearing something just because it is fashionable.

Agree with the suggestion to try something a bit shorter. Otherwise, the black opaques and flat shoes look v severe. Would you not contemplate some heels?

I've just ordered this M&S dress ... might work for you too?

I also have a blouse very similar to this www.warehouse.co.uk/piped-detail-blouse/shirts-&-blouses/warehouse/fcp-product/02265601 from Warehouse which I tuck into skirts (it is 100% polyester though). I think the trick is not too floaty and tuck in - you'll keep your waist.

That's a nice dress coffeenut.

Hm, yes, that M&S dress could work...

How about this LK Bennett on eBay (but new)? Not sure if I like the colour block thing going on?

Yes. Sorry, but yes.

I like the look of the M&S one. How tall are you though, Wigeon? They are too long for me (hence potential frumpsville), but I am a short-arse.

I quite like the shirt - not perfect but like it. No to the belt on the skirt and I think the skirt isn't great either. I'd keep the shirt though.

The M and S one and the LK Bennett EBay one are both great - the LKB one has sold though - did you get it?

Remus - I am 5'8".

And a couple of people have asked about heels - I generally feel quite tall enough in flats, and have fairly wide feet with a bunion on one of them, so find it really hard to get comfortable heels, even short ones. My toes just get really squished up. I am also a London commuter so have to do a fair bit of walking, and need to be comfortable!

I didn't get the eBay one - wasn't sure about the big black block of colour. I have a search set up on eBay for a dress with various of the brands recommended on here, so will keep an eye out.

The skirt in the picture above has gone to the charity shop this morning - I hardly wore it because I never felt that good in it. Bye bye bad skirt!

The Autograph dress should be a good length on you then.

I commute, but do it in Converse or boots and keep heels at work. How are you with heeled ankle boots? They are usually much more comfortable with heeled shoes and can look nice with dresses/skirts.

Yes, heeled ankle boots prob v good plan (I only have some clumpy ones not suitable for work). I should have a look for some non-clumpy ones, good idea. I also have completely flat feet, so that doesn't help...

Greengardenpixie - have now looked through your links - thank you for taking the time to find them - lots seemed nice but I am really looking for something with 3/4 or full length sleeves for winter...

I'm a 28F too (was wearing 32B before ) and a similar shape to you although you're taller.

I think that skirt is along the right lines but too straight up and down. Have you tried a more fitted one, tapered towards the knee and in stretchy fabric? I bet your arse would look awesome! I can't link at the moment but Baukjen do one although I haven't seen it for real and it's £££. Lots of cheaper versions around though.

I also prefer ankle boots to shoes at the moment and grey rather than black tights. I just can't get on with shirts or blouses so on top I either wear something slouchy or I go Madmen-ish with a fitted, buttoned up cardi.

I love those anthopologie dresses that Greengarden linked. I also like the M&S one although the neck might be a bit high for you.

Floisme - where did you discover your true size? That's quite a jump!

Are these two People Tree ones just going to be too clingy / like jersey / not work-smart? I can't tell! The shapes seem ok...I think?

teal

www.peopletree.co.uk/sale/women/dresses/abigail-dress-in-bordeaux-size-10 burgundy]]

Don't like the blue one, but I think the burgundy could be good.

Wig a (very good) friend pointed it out I took myself off to Bravissimo and never looked back.

And I've just bought that People Tree dress in burgundy and I love it! It's not clingy on me at all.

What don't you like about the blue one Remus?