Denim dress

[WutheringTights]

I love the idea of a dress I can throw in over opaques and ankle boots for a trip to the park but is this one a bit prim and proper? It's fitted to the waist then an a-line skirt. Fashionable or frumpy? What do you think?

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-dresses/day-dresses/ww140-lbl/womens-bright-blue-wash-laura-denim-shirt-dress

I consider the Boden denim dress every year, but always decide that yes they are a bit too prim, there's always something just slightly not right about them.

Have you tried Sainsburys? I virtually live in the denim dress I bought there. (In fact, I wore one out and I'm on my second now)

I look at them every year too, but I think the denim looks a bit too stiff.

I've just tried it on and the denim is wonderfully soft and stretchy. It's very comfy and flattering too. I really like it but I'm worried it just screams frump.

I looked at Sainsbury's but they're all either pinafores (which I don't want) or light coloured so would look odd in winter with black tights and boots.

I think it's the length. Too long.

I've got a previous incarnation of this (last year's) and yes, it's long - I feel quite put together in it and it is flattering but I agree, I tend to frumpy and I don't think it's got any sauce appeal. The heavy fabric makes for nice lines but the length and weight of it make it a little severe.

Maybe open it a bit low? Leave a button open at the bottom for added sauce?

Asda did one almost identical to the Boden one early this year and its beautiful. Just a smudge shorter so less prim or frumpy and it goes with everything.

It does look better with a few more buttons undone. Especially at the bottom (flat chested). To be fair, the three children under five are more of a nod toward frumpiness than the dress. Will sleep on it. Maybe accessories will help. Will try it on with my converse later.

Would be nice with tan knee boots and a cabin-crew style scarf for a Seventies vibe.

I like it though perhaps a little long. There are a couple in toast sale which aren't as fitted therefore perhaps a bit less prim? Also, £90 does seem a lot for a denim dress....

Could you get it altered shorter, it doesn't look like the bottom buttons are too low. I think the way you wear it is crucial to the frump or not. Could you wear with trainers (Stan Smiths etc) until too cold, then perhaps with ankle boots rather than calf length boots for winter. You could wear it open as a long line card/jacket over trousers, skinnies with a Breton under as another take.

Toast have a few in thier sale.

Thanks, I'll have a look at toast. Yes yes to ankle boots and trainers. I don't have any Stan smiths but I thought perhaps converse and/or vans.

20% off so £72. And it is lovely quality denim. But take your point as £72 is still quite steep.

Oh and love the idea of wearing it as a cardy with a Breton underneath. Had already tried it with a vest and unbuttoned mostly to the waist but it didn't look quite right as still had the skirt buttoned. Will try that tomorrow after looking at the toast website. Thanks

Ah this is my holy grail, this sort of denim dress. I bought a toast shirt style one with pockets in the sale last year and just love it, but found this year's ones just too similar to justify buying another one!

I do like the boden one but think the flare if the skirt is just a bit much maybe? Can't quite put my finger on it.

The toast ones are only buttoned half way down so you couldn't wear as a cardi. With the 20% off the boden the toast ones are only a bit cheaper. For what it's worth I doubt I'd look at you and think there was anything wrong with it if you were wearing it, I just probably wouldn't think it was anything special - which for me to spend £90 on an every day dress I would want it to. But £72 is more reasonable. Have you got a picture of you wearing it?

I bought this one from Monsoon of all places recently and it is the perfect length and a bit less formal looking than the Boden one. You might not like the detailing round the buttons but it does look really nice on honestly.

uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1,mon_1.2/3422703908

oh I love the monsoon one - i do find denim dresses quite useful for the 6 months of winter in the northern parts of britain

Had a look at Toast and very little in my size, but I suppose we're now into the dregs of the sales so not much choice. I've ordered the monsoon one though. Thanks all.

I have put a fab unworn Toast dress on Ebay, size 12, today.

I have this one from Hobbs - it's quite lightweight denim which I prefer to the stiffer ones - I feel a bit trussed up in them!

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0217-5953-1144L00&productvarid=0217-5953-1144L00-INDIGO-12&refpage=dresses

stop with the tempting denim dresses! My pay this month will be spent before it hits the bank!

I always find Monsoon good for denim dresses, they are very forgiving around he middle and the denim is soft.

Oo. I've ordered a toast one but that Hobbs one looks nice if the toast doesn't work out. Thanks!