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!

You could try "working it" a bit and see if it looks better, for example pull the sleeves halfway up the forearms, wear a more flattering bra, pair with a bright, red or yellow wrap around your neck, high-heeled boots, a thicker belt. I've got a couple of dresses that transform completely with a little styling.

Remus just not flat fronted. They have some volume around the hips. It helps them drape and sort of slouch.

Like Diane Keaton in Annie Hall?

That is a pleat! I mean, it's Diane Keaton. She's fucking awful. But she shouldn't give the pleat a bad name.

Many, many trousers are pleated. Pleats are large and small. It's just not flat fronted, which was all the rage in the noughties but now looks a bit dated.

I searched pleated trousers and found these. Words fail me.

OMFG!!!!!! They would look great with my pouchy belly

Here is someone wearing them!

modaoperandi.com/delpozo-ss14/pleated-ruffle-front-pant

make sure you scroll down for relaxed chic

er yes, that is exactly what I meant

If you have any kind of tummy, pleats are a no no with trousers imo.

Well yes they are more tricky to wear than flat fronted. But infinitely more rewarding when you find a pleat that works for you.

I am, also, talking to the OP - who is extremely slim of tummy, hip and leg.

Yes, it may work for her...still not fussed personally. Remind me of baggy 80's trousers with front pleats. Not convinced by them for anyone.

I've got some a bit like this that are about ten years old. I am much shorter and curvier than the OP but I always get compliments on them. The trick for me is to have something fitted on top, and to wear heels.

Oh for heaven's sake, trousers with a pleat of some kind really are very common. Some volume and movement is chic.

Yes, it may work for her.

Green, you do realise that this thread is for the OP?

Yes, they look lovely. I have similar flat fronted trousers that i wear with shorter jumper or top. I just dont think i need material around that area. Kind of draws the eye to my shit rounded post pregnancy tummy.

Yes, i do..i am not interested in making it about me. Dont need to be snippy.

I will just leave you 'fashionistas, to it. I couldnt care less who wears what except for what i wear myself.

What's happened?
What did I miss?

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Pixie - come back. Lots of people have expressed lots of opinions on this thread, but we still haven't found Wigeon something to wear!

An argument about pleated trousers !

rooty - do you just mean trousers with a crease down the front leg? I have a couple like that.

Spotty!! Are you the colleague I need to ask 'how is the toaster?'? Actually, we do work near some potentially good shops, so that is an very kind offer - although I haven't been shopping with a friend for about 20 years...!

Generic - please do!

Am reading and clicking on everything else but can't keep up...the thread had taken off in a way I certainly didn't anticipate when I started it! I think I need to investigate Phase 8 and Hobbs again.

Part of the problem is that I think clothes should cost about forty quid, maybe fifty maximum, so find it quite hard to spend money on something so frivolous as clothes. But I will spend forty quid on a meal out quite happily, and that only lasts a few hours, whereas clothes last much longer and arguably have much more lasting impact on your well-being (per pound spent).

PS I am very grateful for everyone who has taken the time to post on this thread, whatever contribution you've made - you are all very kind to take an interest and I hope I'm not a lost cause

Yes, my toaster is going well, thank you!

I think JL, OS is the place. Loads of good concessions in one place.

Glad the toasting is going well!

Right, Hobbs (looking at various suggestions up thread): Luann dress - might be a bit too dark for me but shape is good?

More Hobbs : Suri dress. Any good? I have lost all sense confidence in my taste of whether the pattern is ok or not...

Spotty - spend most of a meeting this week in PCH atrium eyeing up well-dressed women, and really wanted to run after a couple to ask them where their dresses were from, except I was with BJ so couldn't!

I like the first Hobbs one but not the second.

I think I've got that Hobbs dress, but in red. It's tighter on me than that! Also the material is lightweight, so not as flattering (on me) as I'd hoped. You're slimmer than me though!