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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! )
OP posts:
Thread gallery
37
rootypig · 31/01/2015 20:26

The perfect red lip will make this dress perfect. PERFECT.

It needs a bright though.

Lucked · 31/01/2015 20:29

It could be a little improved with a long necklace but it's not great. I was on the boden website yesterday and there are so many high necklines/crew neck pieces, hardly any variation at all.

BettyFriedansLoveChild · 31/01/2015 20:34

I think that the dress itself is cool, and that your figure looks great in it, but the problem is that it's referencing a granny chic vibe that is easy to pull off up to a certain age, but ceases to look ironic or edgy after a certain point. It looks look something I would have worn up to my early 30s, but that I have recently realised I can't pull off anymore (am 37). Although I think that the bottom line is really that you obviously don't feel a million dollars in it, so don't keep it.

rootypig · 31/01/2015 20:41

Nooooooooooo no irony needed. Women of all ages look better in a artful frump. I think slim women like OP look mark in midi pleats and print. For those of use shorter and more round, a more masculine vibe may be called for. But all is possible.

BettyFriedan, do what you feel!

Twinklestein · 31/01/2015 21:05

I agree about Cos dresses OP, they look like medical uniform. Same with some of Me&Em's stuff. I think fitted dresses work better on petite figures, rather than the more shapeless tunicy things.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 31/01/2015 21:28

This Reiss one looks nice and has a similar feel to your one

I wasn't the one who said that the Lindybop stuff looks like fancy dress, but I do agree with the people who did, sorry - even the one you posted. I know lots of people on here like them, but I don't share the love at all, sorry.

Original poster
Wigeon · 31/01/2015 21:36

Right, have ordered some stuff from Kaliko too. I may well have to post photos of me in everything once it arrives...

Is all over lace really 2014 or 2012 or is it acceptable?

OP posts:
Original poster
Wigeon · 31/01/2015 21:43

This os my LK Bennett which I feel great in, but have never equalled. ..

Rootypig - I appreciate the positivity about the OP dress, but I fear you have a unique view! Grin I don't have a red lipstick - I can't seem to do lipstick as it just comes off - now that's a whole nother thread.

Gonna go to bed soonish - thank you so much for comments and help, and fingers crossed I'll be posting a much better photo soon!

Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
OP posts:
rootypig · 31/01/2015 21:47

Unique........ and so so right Grin

Fine, please yourself, but it's a doozy, I promise.

lurkingaround · 31/01/2015 21:48

Similar to Remus' choice above, this is in the same vein as your OP dress but fresher looking.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 31/01/2015 21:49

Love that, Lurking.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 31/01/2015 21:49

Wig - the shape of the LKB one is fantastic on you.

lurkingaround · 31/01/2015 21:53

It is pretty isn't it Remus?

Agree, fab figure OP.

MrsTawdry · 31/01/2015 22:00

I agree with rooty...you're so slim you could wear something a bit more edgy.

BallroomWithNoBalls · 31/01/2015 22:04

I'm with rootypig! I love the original dress and think you look great in it! I think it's sweet and youthful. I'd wear black heels and nude tights, and a delicate silver necklace. And red lippy is a great call from rootypig too.

I can see objectively that your figure looks good in the LK Bennett one, but the first is by far and away the winner for me. You look 'grown-up' in the LKB one but you look like a lovely person with great taste in the first.

I read the thread and was expecting some kind of hideous frock! It's an unusual and flattering and beautiful dress, which looks great on you - please don't chuck it.

I feel like I must be looking at a different dress to everyone else on the thread Confused

mewkins · 31/01/2015 22:07

It would look better shorter. Can you chop a few inches off it?

BallroomWithNoBalls · 31/01/2015 22:10

(But yes to a better bra!)

NimpyWWindowmash · 31/01/2015 22:24

It is all wrong, glad you can send it back

angeltulips · 31/01/2015 23:24

The original dress is absolutely revolting. My granny wouldn't be caught dead in it.

Perhaps if you were 16 and a slender English rose you could wear it ironically but even then it wouldn't be my choice

Am genuinely gob smacked Boden would sell something so hideous.

rootypig · 31/01/2015 23:46

Ballroom yes! I agree. About feeling like I'm looking at a different dress. Obviously I agree with you agreeing with me Grin

stripytees · 01/02/2015 00:07

I would wear the original dress but my style is deliberately more of the kooky art teacher style that is so hated on MN. Wink Would wear it with grey opaques, brogues and a cardigan in a contrasting colour. I'm 32 btw.

OP, have you looked at People Tree for work dresses?

InfantHercules · 01/02/2015 00:21

Lindybop dress looks great and fun! Trouble with Cos is you have to go there in person and force yourself to try styles which look odd on the hangar. Not one for online I think! Good luck - loads of nice suggestions on here.

InfantHercules · 01/02/2015 00:22

P.S. I didn't hate the first dress either! If it were mid thigh with tights it could have worked imo.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 01/02/2015 00:40

I've had some nice stuff from Dickins and Jones, but a lot is high necked at the moment - I quite like this though.

Re lindybop, I've been tempted once or twice for swing dancing, but couldn't be bothered with sorting petticoats etc, and I wouldn't wear it otherwise. Unless I bought one like the lady on the tea dance section (the sky blue dress) - I think you could get away with that as a summer dress. Not smart enough for work though (and probably not as fun to dance in!).

Spidergirl8 · 01/02/2015 08:24

Send it back, or if you're good with a sewing machine- take 3 inches from the hem and create a wide v-neck. You could also consider wearing with a bright cardigan and adding a matching bright button detail on front by sewing buttons on.
A lot of effort if you don't love it to start out with though!
If you are after that kind of style but a bit less frumpy, Whistles have nice tea dresses in the SS ranges.