Could you give me an opinion on whether this dress would suit...?

[JessiCake]

... a 70 year old, EXTREMELY slim (really really birdlike, size 6 on a fat day) quite short (5 foot 2 ish) very beautiful woman?

My MIL is getting herself in a real pickle trying to find a dress for her 70th party and after I pointed her towards the Outnet, she found this.

She's also in a pickle about the whole 'just order it and try it and see what you think' thing... she won't just do that unless I tell her if I think it WILL suit her or not.

I think it may swamp her but I can tell she doesn't want to hear that... but am I right?

www.theoutnet.com/en-GB/Shop/Product/Iris-and-Ink/Zanna-silk-shirt-dress/722703

She's a tricky one because she simultaneously wants to fade into the background and be the star of the show and I think that's why she's having a hard time finding something. A plain shift in her usual grey/navy palette doesn't feel special enough to her, but she would NEVER wear colour or anything more frou-frou in shape.

Advice much appreciated!!

It looks very long. If you compare the length of the skirt with the length of the top part it looks like it would swamp her.

Yes iam that's what I think... she is very petite indeed

It says model is 5'9", so yes I think it will be much too long.

It's lovely on the model but she would need to recognise it would be seven inches longer on her. So yes it would swamp her. I imagine the sleeves would also be s little long as well as where the waist sits. She probably needs to go for a petite specific style.

Yep I just moticed the model is 5 foot 9 too... thanks all! Will try to help her find something else...

It will swamp her. With her figure she needs something more fitted.

Can you take her to John Lewis and book her a personal shopper? It was really good when my Nan needed an outfit for my brothers wedding.

Yes too long!

How about something like this if it's an evening party

This one? (It will be much shorter on her

This is she prefers something a little looser and not black, and would get the hem taken up

More casual but can be dressed up with jewellry

This is beautiful - simple and dressy at the same time

This looks perfect but more expensive. LK Bennett

I'm assuming from her choice she'd like sleeves?

dressed up with an amazing necklace

Could order some from next to get her to try for different shapes/fit/a little colour to see how she feels

It may take a while for her to grow comfortable in something that's not the 'norm'

plain but a different colour

Photo 1 colour but muted/dull

Photo 2 a little colour

Thanks everyone! Chips - yep, youre' spot on, she'd like a sleeve! Will check out those Next ones properly... thank you.

Olenna'sWimple, thanks, too - have had a quick look at the first one and I think it would look fab on her, will show her that and the others too...

John Lewis personal shopper would be a great idea actually but the party is this weekend - is that too late?

Thanks so much everyone, hugely appreciated

Hope she finds something she's happy with and has a great day

For your MiL

I think it would look like a dressing gown on her. Hope she has a great day though!

That LK Bennett one is lovely.

I totally adore the last one of Wimple's post, but I guess that since she wants a sleeve (just the one?), that's a no go...? It might feel too extrovert for her, but it is stunning.

oxcat, I've also fallen completely in love with it too. I'm trying to think of an occasion coming up to justify buying it....

I like this
m.houseoffraser.co.uk/Eliza+J+Crushed+taff+dress+with+jacket/231241178,default,pd.html
And this but she may consider £17 isn't enough for her big day! m.houseoffraser.co.uk/Therapy+Memphis+Print+Bodycon+Dress/257741502,default,pd.html
This is lovely if short sleeves work
m.houseoffraser.co.uk/Phase+Eight+Adelphia+Lace+Layer+Dress/241835903,default,pd.html
This is elegant
m.johnlewis.com/reiss-coralie-plisse-top-dress-indigo/p/3148237

The ElizaJ dress would look lovely on someone very slim, and it's in fairly subtle colours, and has arm coverage. And the design is slightly unusual.
I think the navy shirt dress suggested is not formal enough for an evening do, and it doesn't look as if it would fit her - way too long. Has she looked in Precis, or Minuet for a petite fit?