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!

Oh just seen the picture of the crossover ruched Hobbs dress. I'm uncdecided but suspicious about the sleeves, which see elbow length (why?????) Your shoes are killing some of these dresses Wig.

And yes, the separates do feel more fresh told you so
Dresses have been so thoroughly done, they need to be styled with a slight sharpness to feel modern at this point. A clean, pointed flat shoe would help you.

Yikes, sorry Remus

I like your posts very much, Rooty, but very, very occasionally you don't half come out with some codswallop!

I suspect that is how many feel IRL.

I am right though! AHEM.

My wrists are one of my nicest bits, so I like three quarter length and bracelet length sleeves. I often shove jacket sleeves up too, as if I am in the 1980s.

Ah see shoving up sleeves is all well and good. And a sleeve that finishes exactly. on. the wrist. So chic! but 3/4s give me the heebies. They are so often thoughtless. And ubiquitous. And wrong for the person wearing them. And more often than not paired with cropped trousers. Shudder.

I really like the trouser and stipe top combo. You look so much better. Agree that the shoes should be high heels and opaques on the dresses. You are getting there :)

A 3/4 length is so flattering and practical. I agree, i am always shoving my sleeves up!! I think it has become a habit. I think it makes my arms look slimmer.

I'm with rooty on 3/4 sleeves. I think yes they are flattering, but they look dated now.

The original dress looked fresh because of the full length sleeves. They are making a comeback.

You look great in the striped top and trousers Wigeon!

I like the stripy top too (even though it has 3/4 sleeves!!). I like the 3/4 sleeves as I have really long arms so sleeves are never long enough for me.

The answer to your question is no .you definitely don't look frumpy
But you don't look like a young 35 woman .
Patterns is fine ,
You have just choose the wrong patterned dress .

HORRAY! There is hope for me!

I am really amazed about how slim I am, especially in these most recent pics. Honestly, I had no idea. There are hardly any photos of me in recent years (they are all of the children), especially not full length ones in smart clothes, and all I can see is my wrinkly tummy, cellulite, fat on my thighs (honestly, there is some), etc etc, although in general I do have quite good self-esteem. This thread has been a real revelation about my body (even though lovely DH tells me all the time I'm gorgeous).

Shoes - yes, that is a whole nother issue. I do not have good shoes. In the changing room pics I am wearing just some random Hobbs high heels. I find the toes of shoes generally really uncomfortable as they always seem to squish my toes, and about 6 months ago I developed a hard bunion on one big toe. Also, I really don't want to be over 6 foot, which is what happens if I wear high heels.

rooty - also loving your posts . I don't care that the LK Bennett is out of date - think of me as still struggling towards a C grade at GCSE in How to Dress Yourself, and the LK Bennett is like an A at GCSE. The dizzy heights of Masters level involve not only dressing for your shape and colour, but also being within the last 1-2 years of fashion. I am not there yet ever.

And re rooty's proposed lipstick thread - aargh, yes that's another untrodden path. This is turning into a whole style makeover!

By the way, are you digging the new Bravissimo bra?!

Yes the bra is lovely! Your breasts are very nicely positioned.

Do not be afraid of shoes. Despite being a short arse, I am committed to the flat. The right flat shoe is stylish and infinitely more confident, professionally, than a heel. They can't be manky or lack structure though.

Now tuck in that top and post another picture please.

And you had better start a lipstick thread because your clothes preferences and colouring demand it.

What about this lady? She is really good at putting things together and has a similar shape to you.

egyptomaniac57.blogspot.co.uk/

She is very stylish but manages to maintain young and fresh. She is about your age too,

She got a hedgehog as a pet !!

Yes ha ha......I saw that!!!

Ballroom, we are as one!

Like that blog, Greengarden. She has incredibly white teeth! Interesting to see how she's putting things together.

Bother! Thought I posted last night about latest order but it didn't upload!

First ever and quite possibly last ever order fron People Tree (which is a shame, because I drive a Prius, am a member of Amnesty and recycle!). Green dress: fabric really heavy, so it hung really weirdly and basically just looked odd. Straight back.

Burgandy dress: I look like a sausage in a skin. Size 12 really clingy. Colour more a dull browthenan burgandy. Awful. Also going straight back!

Phase 8 delivery should arrive soon...

*brown than burgandy

Personally happen to think belts are quite dated myself rooty! Also, flats are never going to work as well as heels. Dont care how structured and non-manky they are!

That green People Tree dress is dire!