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Original poster

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

430 replies

Wigeon · 31/01/2015 11:16

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!

Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
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37
TooSpotty · 07/02/2015 20:26

I'm sure he's enough of a fashionista not to mind!

Like the first Hobbs dress.

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Wigeon · 07/02/2015 20:41

Looking through Phase 8 sale with fine-toothcomb: free delivery and returns, so how about getting:

burgundy wrap

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Wigeon · 07/02/2015 20:43

Purple Phase 8 - someone linked to this in blue, in the sale, but that's now only on an 18. I look great in purple.

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Wigeon · 07/02/2015 20:44

teal Phase 8

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 07/02/2015 20:45

Don't like the purple thing at all, sorry. The burgundy one is nice but you'd need a cami under it, I think, and it will depend on the fabric.

Sapat · 07/02/2015 20:50

I like the dress, but I wouod add chunky jewellery, a scarf & boots.

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Wigeon · 07/02/2015 21:02

Aargh- iPad refusing to let me paste links (have been trying for about 10 mins!) but final Phase 8 is called Jerry Cross dress, navy. But does it look like she is wearing some kind of wrap over dressing gown or apron?

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 07/02/2015 21:07

Navy one fine too, but again would need a cami.

BarbieBrightSide · 07/02/2015 21:41

Sorry, I haven't RTFT, but have you had a look at Great Plains?

Too low / short?

Too monochrome?

Bargain!

Have a look at their outlet section if you like the look of these.

rootypig · 07/02/2015 22:02

Wigeon buy less, that costs more. Once you have a few good expensive got to outfits, you'll be satisfied, and won't try to fill up on £40 outfits any more. Your LK Bennett dress is like that, I'll wager. Having pieces like that to wear every day, just in a frequent rotation, is the dream. (Though that dress is now dated.)

Garden I'm sorry for being snippy. I had no wish to drive anyone off what has been a convivial thread.

simonettavespucci · 07/02/2015 23:39

Hello - I am enjoying this thread - I have similar issues myself - including black making me look like the undead. I like the luann dress OP, in fact I was already considering buying it myself. But I haven't tried it on yet, so I can't report on fit etc.

simonettavespucci · 07/02/2015 23:39

(though I quite like your original dress so maybe don't listen to me)

coffeenut · 08/02/2015 08:00

I find phase 8 dresses to be quite large and "hippy" Wig .... (Just saying as u look like a similar shape/figure). Will report when I receive the m&s navy dress as to whether it's any good.

coffeenut · 08/02/2015 08:02

Is the LK Bennett dated?? I thought it was a fairly basic pencil/work dress!

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Wigeon · 08/02/2015 09:18

Barbie - I haven't looked at Great Plains, think those particular ones are a bit monochrome (I don't think I look grear in black and white), but will browse some others.

rooty - I know you are right (Grin), re spend / quality - at the mo I don't even have masses of the cheaper stuff. And I haven't forgotten about separates - it's just that thinking about only dresses is taking up 100% of my style brain!!

Right, I'm ordering those Phase 8 dresses and we'll see. I've got People Tree stuff arriving, and I'll go into an actual Hobbs on Monday to try on IRL. Hopefully more pics to follow.

Surely it can't be this difficult to GET DRESSED?!

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Wigeon · 08/02/2015 18:15

Oh, and Coumarin asked about the poster behind me - it's a poster advertising an exhibition of Patrick Caulfield prints from 1999, in the Haywood Gallery, and the print on the poster is his Dining/Kitchen/Living. My grandfather was a bit of a modern art collector (not a millionaire, just someone who wanted to spend his money on art), and when he died, I got an original print of Evening Menu which my grandfather had owned, so I am very fond of my poster Smile.

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Wigeon · 09/02/2015 19:18

Hobbs trip! I think I might actually have found one!! This is called Nathalie. Purple/black. Fits really well. Jersey, and only reservation is that the skirt is quite swishy, not at all structured - too casual and not worky? But otherwise it seems lovely!

Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/02/2015 19:25

Hurray! That's a really good fit on you. I like it. But please, please, will you try it with opaques and some heels? Grin

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Wigeon · 09/02/2015 19:25

And Hobbs 50% off in the sale - top (which is named after me, so kinda had to get it) and trousers to replace an ancient pair.

Also tried on Luann and Suri dresses - one fitted well but I just didn't like tge dull green /black pattern, the other had a much more jazzy and bright pattern (ie plus one point), but the fit was really odd. The sales assistants said they hadn't seen anyone look good in it!

Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
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rootypig · 09/02/2015 19:26

Yes the LK Bennet is dated. Neckline is a copy of the Roland Mouret - when was that? 2007? and the ruching feels fussy.

That Hobbs dress is very nice Wig. It wouldn't be my first choice, but it does look good.

Now let's talk about your SHOES.

rootypig · 09/02/2015 19:28

Can you tuck that top into the trousers and put a good belt on, then show us?

Dull green black pattern is not working for you, no.

Love your short hair! would have been perfect for that first dress

Now, when are you starting your lipstick thread? Grin

rootypig · 09/02/2015 19:30

I think 3/4 length sleeves are frumpy. This effect can be offset with a large cuff. Please consider Grin

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/02/2015 19:30

Liking the separates. You look a zillion times better in that outfit than you did in the original dress! You are super-slim - you really ought to be able to wear anything. Isn't it weird how some things work, and some just...don't?

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Wigeon · 09/02/2015 19:31

Dashing out to yoga but will be back this eve!

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/02/2015 19:32

Three quarter sleeves are frumpy? What?????????????!!