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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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Thread gallery
37
KatherinaMinola · 11/02/2015 20:04

What are you doing on the awayday and where are you going? (eg hotel boardroom, theme park, paintballing?)

Original poster
Wigeon · 11/02/2015 20:07

Katherina - I haven't dared admit on the thread, given the mixed attitudes to colour analysis on S&B, that I have had my colours done... Personally, my view of colour analysis is that it's brilliant if you are me, ie clueless and just need telling what you look good in. And I definitely definitely look good in the colours the consultant told me to wear. And, no, I couldn't figure that out by myself.

I am a "jewel winter" and I look good in purple, deep pink, pillar box red, navy, grey, nice cool and deep shades of green. And the other winter colours.

If you think colour analysis is a load of tosh, and you have the confidence to choose your own colours, well, fine, but it definitely was a good thing for me to do!

The People Tree dresses looked much nicer in the catalogue, but the colours were clearly rubbish for me once I saw them in IRL.

I wore the stripy top/ new necklace/ cigarette trousers today to work and did swish about feeling stylish! better not mention the shoes I wore

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Original poster
Wigeon · 11/02/2015 20:10

Oh, awayday is in a kind of conference centre, doing serious stuff like post-election planning and listening to presentations about the different teams' work, and a talk from a Famous Historian about governments etc. So not the kind of outward bound awayday.

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Original poster
Wigeon · 11/02/2015 20:12

Do you think, now I've got at least one good outfit, I can get away with wearing the stripy top / cigarette trousers every day, and to the awayday, like the news anchor who wore the same suit for a year?!

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Ubik1 · 11/02/2015 20:15

I like Dickens&Jones

KatherinaMinola · 11/02/2015 20:23

Ha! I haven't had my colours done, but I do think the theory is sound - I was able to work mine out for myself and it has helped me to eliminate a couple of colours that weren't working for me. I thought you might be a winter, because that white/navy/silver combo (of the stripy top and necklace) is great on you, and so it really looks like you suit cool colours - work with that.

The outfit would work for an awayday - it is a bit casual though. Do you think people will go casual because it's an awayday? If not I would err on the side of more formal and go in a dress.

SwedishEdith · 11/02/2015 20:27

I went to an event recently that sounds similar to the one you are going to and I was checking out people's outfits and thinking of this thread. Grin The woman that stood out as looking the smartest, most professional and together looking was wearing a navy, short-sleeved, A-line dress. It didn't detract from what she was saying (except for me, as I was studying the dress...) but it was smart and understated and managerial. But, I cannot find an example when I google. I know you've got a very good figure OP, but I think some of the jersey dresses look too clingy for work.

rootypig · 11/02/2015 20:41

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THESE SHOES

pinkfrocks · 11/02/2015 21:11

The Hobbs one in the changing room looks okay though it's not a clear pic.

I think the whole problem is that formal wear for work can look a bit 'dull' by its very nature. you don't want overly sexy, or little girly, you want pretty straightforward and smart.

I agree that you might want to think about your colours. I can't see you true hair colour and colouring but in some ways that is not so vital for work because you're presumably not going to wear shocking pink, red or bright turquoise? I think the brightest you could go would be a mid blue, a plum, or neutrals. I suspect you look good in navy and dark-ish purple.

Original poster
Wigeon · 12/02/2015 21:09

Thank you for the links , pinkfrocks, but I'd really like sleeves (for winter, not because I hate my arms)! I know I could put a cardi on top, but that a) involves buying a cardi (I have some but they are not very smart), and b) involves an entirely new mission to find nice cardis!

rooty, you are definitely right that I need a shoe intervention, but tbh this thread, which was about finding a SINGLE dress or two, has taken so much energy, emotional energy, time spent internetshopping, trying on, angsting, the enormous kindness of countless strangers on the internet, that when it's all over I may need to lie down in a darkened room (in one of the dresses of course), until about 2016, before I am ready to tackle the next bit of me...

HOWEVER.....final order has arrived, from Phase 8 (sale!), and I think some of the dresses WORK!! Photos coming...

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Original poster
Wigeon · 12/02/2015 21:15

Navy. Very work-appropriate. Ruching. Fit is great. Hem just above knee - to those who recommended that for me, think you are right. (Sorry photos are a bit dark - had to take them in the evening and even flsh wasn't helping).

I am inclined to keep this one. ..?

Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 12/02/2015 21:29

I like that on you - so much better than the navy Baukjen one.

Original poster
Wigeon · 12/02/2015 21:31

Undecided about this one. Like the colour, v neck, hem length. Wrap seems to make my boobs look weird. Seems a bit baggy on one side too. Hm.

Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
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Greengardenpixie · 12/02/2015 21:34

The wine coloured one is gorgeous on you!!! Really suits you! Its so flattering. A define keeper. Lovely shape. The navy is also lovely :)

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 12/02/2015 21:37

Not fond of the second one, personally. The colour looks a bit drab to me (although it may be the pic - is it nicer in the flesh?) and the navy one sits better across the chest, by the look of it.

Original poster
Wigeon · 12/02/2015 21:38

Teal. In DH's opinion, I look 'hot', and he really wants me to keep it, but I think this is because it's really clingy and show every lump and bump, and my pants - quite thin material. So despite DH's pleading, think it's going back.

Remus -yes, definitely. Much less clingy but still shaped. Thicker material but not bulky.

Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 12/02/2015 21:43

Love the colour of the green but agree that it's too clingy for work.

Original poster
Wigeon · 12/02/2015 21:43

Final one, purple. Kinda weird shape but kinda cool! But doesn't feel right for work - too fancy. A going out kinda dress.

Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
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pinkfrocks · 12/02/2015 21:46

Navy or teal.
Please do something about the shoes. They are not right. You need a higher heel, maybe a small platform, and no sling back. Clarks have some classic suede courts that may work- or some leather courts with a lower heel.

BallroomWithNoBalls · 12/02/2015 21:46

I love the last one on you! I don't think it's too much for work at all. Gorgeous dress.

BallroomWithNoBalls · 12/02/2015 21:48

The others are all nice too.

Greengardenpixie · 12/02/2015 21:50

I have to say, i dont like the last one. I dont like all the tucks. Its very untidy looking.

Nextwednesday · 12/02/2015 21:51

The last two look really lovely.

TRexingInAsda · 12/02/2015 21:59

Oooh OP you look great! I love the navy one, and the last one, and please, please, please keep the one your dh likes (even if you have to buy new pants/spanx) you look brilliant in it.