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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
sara11272 · 01/02/2015 20:07

Bit scared to admit this ...but ... I have this dress (albeit in a different colour): www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boden-Womens-Brand-New-Thea-Dress-Purple-Bloom-Floral-Jersey-Long-Sleeves-/360901662744

I'm also an 8-10 and it's fine, although I agree it's a bit bigger than it needs to be on the bottom half. I was originally going to send it back as I though it was a bit loose and DP convinced me to keep it (it was only about £17 in their sale). I wear it with black opaque tights and black shoe boots and I think it looks quite good with them.

Could you try it with those and see if you like it any better? It's also one of those dresses that looks better 'on the move' than standing still as it sort of swishes around you rather than looking a bit flappy around your legs, which it does when you're just standing.

SwedishEdith · 01/02/2015 22:43

Oh, it looks lovely here deliverycode.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Boden-Thea-Dress.jpg

#savethedress

Original poster
Wigeon · 02/02/2015 10:34

THE DRESS IS GONE! I'm afraid the valiant campaign to save it just wasn't enough. Even if I bought red lipstick, altered the sleeves, hem, neck, belt, accessorised like mad, or possibly went subtle on then accessories to let the dress speak for itself, put on the opaque tights, wore a contrasting cardigan and wore high heels which I don't own due to being 5'8" with a bunion.

sara - maybe you look lovely in it?!

SwedishEdith - that catalogue picture was one of the ones in the eBay listing (dress was brand new), and she looks cool and funky so I thought I would too...

I have a bunch of online orders coming soon though, so I will post again with photos!

OP posts:
SuperGlue · 02/02/2015 15:10

sara I admitted about 3 pages back that I have the dress in that purple colour and I wear it with opaque tights and navy suede wedge heeled shoe boots and a chunky necklace and have received lot of compliments whenever I have worn it. I love mine. It is very comfortable to wear. I am 5ft 9" and size 10 on top prob 11 on bottom so the size 12 is good on me.

I also bought mine very cheaply in a sale in boden!

But OP you were right to return if you were not comfortable in it.

sara11272 · 02/02/2015 16:52

Superglue I'm glad it's not just me! I have to admit SwedishEdith that it was that pic that tempted me into it too.

Good luck with your other orders, Wigeon. I have to say that more of my Boden orders go back than get kept...they are definitely either right or wrong for you and there's no point keeping it if it's not a winner. Hope the others are more successful.

rootypig · 02/02/2015 22:39

Sob. Bye dress. I hope you find a happy home.

OP I wouldn't post any more dresses on here since 90% of MN has it totally wrong Grin

Original poster
Wigeon · 03/02/2015 16:57

I am going to go crazy, and ignor rootypig and POST MORE DRESS PICS!

The first orders have arrived!

Verdict on LindyBop one: they only had it in a size 10 (sold out in a 12), and it's definitely too tight (bottom half is definitely a 12 - typo in OP had it as an 11). Also not sure it would suit me anyway. Also sort of looks like a nurse's uniform, which is fine if you are a nurse, but I'm not.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wigeon · 03/02/2015 16:59

LindyBop

Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
OP posts:
rootypig · 03/02/2015 17:08
Grin

Brave soul.

Not keen on lindybop. You look like a very formal nurse Grin

Original poster
Wigeon · 03/02/2015 17:09

Next are two are from Baukjen (thank you tethers) - much much better. The pink was available in a 10 and 12 and while I can get the 10 on, the 12 is more comfortable. It is quite shocking pink - not sure if I am bold enough. Also looks to me slightly on the coral side rather than fuschia, and I think I look better in more fuschia shades (website calls it 'dahlia pink'). DH reckoned I looked 'hot' though, so...

The french navy was not available in a 12, only a 10. But it is LOVELY! Lovely soft material, demure enough for work, colour looks great on me...maybe it will stretch just a little in the wash?!

They both work with some of my work jackets.

Verdict anyone?

OP posts:
rootypig · 03/02/2015 17:14

Did you post pictures? not showing. Sounds promising though! that tethers is a dream.

Original poster
Wigeon · 03/02/2015 17:15

Pink Baukjen

Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 03/02/2015 17:16

Agree that the Lindybop isn't working. Can't see any other pics though.

KatherinaMinola · 03/02/2015 17:16

I don't like the Lindybop at all - the style is bizarre (actually preferred the original dress!) Post pics of the others.

dexter73 · 03/02/2015 17:18

Pink dress looks like a nightie. Lindybop dress does look like a very formal nurse dress!

Original poster
Wigeon · 03/02/2015 17:19

French navy Baukjen

Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
OP posts:
KatherinaMinola · 03/02/2015 17:20

I'm not keen on colour but it might look good in navy.

KatherinaMinola · 03/02/2015 17:20

Oh! It does! Much much better!

KatherinaMinola · 03/02/2015 17:21

Size 10 is also better on you - the pink looks baggy. I think you may have got used to wearing too-baggy clothes (recent pregnancy?)

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 03/02/2015 17:22

Don't like the pink one, sorry. It looks a bit too tight on the bust but too big on the neck, and I don't like the colour. The navy is better, but agree that it's maybe a bit too tight. What's it like with a jacket over it?

dexter73 · 03/02/2015 17:22

It is better in navy but I think it is too tight. I'm not a fan.

hettie · 03/02/2015 17:24

have a very similar figure to you and recently bought somehting a bit like this

SuperGlue · 03/02/2015 17:24

I think you should have kept the original dress!!

Original poster
Wigeon · 03/02/2015 17:24

Both dresses with jackets.

Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
Do I look frumpy in this dress? (with photos! )
OP posts:
MarshaBrady · 03/02/2015 17:24

Navy is a dream. So much better than all the rest. Bravo!