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!

1. nice! especially for work - I do adore navy. But must you wear a top under it?
2. makes you too long in the waist. As ever, I suspect the sleeve.
3. delightful. Not surprised DH is begging for it. Surely (his) happiness is cheap at the price? KEEP IT. Go out for a lovely dinner in it.
4. no. Idea is not bad for you, but execution is all wrong. Too much ruching, the effect is crumpled.

I am still sad that the print got lost.

I know you don't want to talk about shoes, and I understand all your reasons, I do. But you are spoiling the ship for a haporth of tar. The ones you have on here are so bad, it frankly doesn't matter what dress you're wearing.

And shoes are more readily solved. Trust me when I tell you, an elegant flat with a slightly sharp toe. What size are you? I will hunt.

Thank you for all the nice comments. They are sooo much better than most of the others on this dress (including the first one - sorry rooty!).

Rooty - that is v kind of you. Are you sure it's not going to take another 400 posts just on shoes?! They are simpler? I am size 6 or 6.5. Quite fancy ankle boots with a dress? Or has that look been and gone? Going to bed now but will check back.

I quite like the navy and the last one. I like the colour of the green one but the material does look a bit thin for work. The burgundy one is not the right colour for you at all.

I tend to think that dark colours overpower you a little, even though it's obvious some suit you more than others (eg navy much better than burgundy). In colour terms I think you look best in the printed Hobbs dress with a bit of white in it (changing room pic) and the stripy top. So, although several of these dresses are absolutely fine, I would also keep looking for something with more white in it - I think most of these colours would look better on you if lifted a little with a bit of white print.

And yes - better shoes.

I think ankle boots with a dress are fine, but the dresses you've chosen here might look a bit incongruous. Partly because they are quite simple with clean lines (nothing wrong with that, but even the finest boots can be too heavy) and partly because of the length. An ankle boot with an on the knee dress can leave you with an odd length of leg - an either shorter or longer skirt works fine, or fuller, actually - though perhaps this is less of a problem if you are planning to wear opaque tights.

Let me have a think. Sartorially yours,
rooty

The teal/ green suits you but maybe it is too tight for work- what about sizing up?

I used to work in the same organisation as you do know the work setting. Navy one best of these four - looks good for work. Teal looks good but if you feel it's too clingy you won't be comfortable in it. Possibly size up?
Don't think the burgundy really suits you in terms of colour ( looks a bit dull and heavy) or cut. And don't like the colour or strange ruching on purple one.
Agree about loosing sling backs. I had several LK Bennett kitten heels in nice colours/ textures - they lived in my bottom desk drawer at night and I wore flats to work then put them on.

Also don't like the People Tree one or the earlier burgundy one. Do think the purple Hobbs one is suitable,?though don't like that necklace with the pattern. Too busy.

Like others would like to see you in a few lighter colours or dark with white and a few slightly lower or V necks ( not too low obviously). Overall I think your choices are perhaps a little too 'mature' for someone your age and with such a good figure.? though completely understand the need to dress to be taken seriously in that setting, having worked in it.

Fwiw, agree belts a little dated as a PP said - though from my experience of the Civil Service not too many people would have known/ noticed that!

Finally - sorry to be so critical! - I don't think those deep V-necks (on the navy and burgundy) suit you. They accentuate your broader shoulders and make you look a little mannish. The scoop necklines of the green (gentle scoop) and the purple (deeper scoop) are much better on you (with the right bra, which you have now). They also make the most of your height, because you don't have the V of flesh breaking it up. I think I most prefer the gentle scoop of the green as a neckline. The knee length hems are good on you.

This is all nitpicking now - many of these dresses are absolutely fine, (and as PP say, civil service not known for glamour above all else).

If you choose the navy one, do you have to wear that vest or camisole peeping out? It really spoils the line and looks a bit twee.
Can you perhaps stitch the V so that it doesn't reveal too much? A couple of stitches where the sides overlap ought to sort it.

The necklace ( maybe just for these photos?) is a bit OTT for work IMO. I think it would look better with a simple silver pendant of some sort rather than a 'statement' necklace.

Have you considered pinafores with a top underneath? Hobbs, Jigsaw and White Stuff did have some nice tweedy styles - I think it would give you a younger look. Or a skirt - again, it's now all summer stuff in stock- but I think you'd look good in an A-line or kilt type skirt with flat boots, or ankle boots, and a fitted cardigan.
It would look younger but still formal.

www.whitestuff.com/womens/dresses/navy-spitalfields-cord-dress/
Pinafore type dress with long sleeved top under- not necessarily this one but similar- but theses are winter outfits.

wigeon I've followed this thread with fascination. It's so interesting how people's opinions matter and I'm so glad that most of it has been constructive and you are getting help.

I just wondered that as you've had your colours done whether you've considered the style day? I found this much more interesting that the colours day and really taught me what works and what doesn't. If your consultant was any good I would deginitely give it a go as it might help you work out what shapes and styles suit you best.

I'm not sure why I wrote that's peopls opinions matter. I meant DIFFER!

Oh, and ignore all the typos. I blame the iPad.

Coming to this late, but I really like the purple Hobbs dress, and also like the stripy top trousers combo. I also like the navy ruched one and the purple one you posted at 21.43 (actually, the navy ruched and the latest purple one are the best).

You have a lovely figure.

Thanks again for all the further opinions

QueenCardigan - yes, completely opposite views in some cases, and it just shows that whatever you wear, some people will be thinking 'fab!' and others yuk, so of courses ultimately you just have to wear what you feel good in.

pink - I do have one pinafore which I wear with shirts, and feel smart in it - yes, maybe a look to keep going with.

Everyone - ignore the shoes on this thread. The slingbacks are old and uncomfortable (because of the new bunion and the fact my toes are not shaped like a triangle point). For work, at the moment I only have black boots, and two patent flats (black, and red) because everything else has fallen apart or is uncomfortable (see bunion above...). I do need to go shoe shopping but I always dread it...

And I agree with various people that fortunately the general sartorial standard of the civil service is not exactly sky high. Although the modern civil service is definitely not entirely populated by the greying white man in a bowler.

quite like these
nice neck line
maybe??
bold colour
wrap dress
colour again
flattering
pattern
love this I'm not tall enough though
make a statement!

I actually think the green dress has been one of the best fits on you, particularly on the top half. The colour though would probably be too bright for a workplace, but you should definitely keep it if only for nights out with DH.

THIS! is the statement one!

Have you had a look at the WorkWearEdit blog - lots of great suggestions for work dresses and footwear at reasonable prices.

You OP are gorgeous

That dress however, isn't. Sorry x

I like most of hellsbell's choices, especially the Karen Millen one. I do think more structured dresses are smarter and more formal. I like:

this one
and this possibly a bit too garden party?
sleeveless but would be great with a top underneath.
www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Warehouse+Bonded+Turn+Back+Pencil+Dress/214738324,default,pd.html nice shape but wopuld it be too bright for you?
love this shape

Thank you hells and Monstrous for those links - I am suffering slight dress-fatigue after my gazillion orders (as posted on this thread) - well, gazillion for a shopping-phobic like me...but I have looked through them all . I really want SLEEVES because it's flipping cold and I don't commute by car (where I could step straight from a warm house to a warm car to a warm office).

Neithehere - I've seen that blog recommended on here - I will certainly take a look as I know sorting out my shoes is my next project...

Haven't decided what to keep of the Phase 8 order (been away for the weekend). With the green dress - the number of 'nights out with DH' where I need a smart dress are vanishingly small - more likely to be going to the local Vue cinema, or curry / nice pub than swish restaurant and cocktails, if that even happens at all (no regular babysitting solution)...maybe I need to plan more swish nights out with him simply to justify keeping the green dress...?!

If you love the green dress, you could always shove a biker jacket over it and wear it with boots to dress it down for a night out with your dh.

Love this thread, have just spent ages reading it and looking at all the links. How stylish are mumsnetters?!

I love you in the Breton and trousers and the last Phase 8 dress - gorgeous colour.

Now you need a lovely pair of heels......