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Original poster

Opinions on this dress?

25 replies

JessiCake · 09/01/2018 09:07

www.jigsaw-online.com/product/dotty-spot-midi-dress/J34819_BL044

I'm looking for a smart day dress. This is NOTHING like I would normally go for but I saw it in the shop y'day and it really caught my eye. Much nicer in 'person' than on the site.

But is is a terrible length/pattern?

I'm trying to break out of a style rut here... Hence not being able to decide if it's a lovely dress and I should give it a brave try or if it's actually awful.

I also don't know what shoes I would wear it with. Heeled ankle boots for casual, very high heel bright-colour shoes for going out, I expect, but I'm not sure.

I'm tall (5 foot 8), about a size 10 (12 sometimes just cos I have broad shoulders), pretty flat of chest and early 40s, if that helps at all...

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 09/01/2018 09:09

I'm not a fan, I think it looks a bit middle aged and frumpy shape wise. And the pattern doesn't help.

Nixee2231 · 09/01/2018 09:12

I think its an adorable dress! I like pairing navy with brown or mustard or red or white shoes/accessories.

Original poster
JessiCake · 09/01/2018 09:13

Bluntness thank you - that would definitely have been my firm opinion until I decided to shake things up a bit! Also it honestly is better in the flesh, maybe I'm being silly asking for opinions on something that even I think looks crap in the pic Grin come to think of it...

Might buy it, enlist my very very blunt friend to come round and tell me what she thinks, then send it back if she agrees it's Frumpsville.

Thank you!!

OP posts:
MamehaSan · 09/01/2018 09:13

Well, erm, you'd have to work really hard to style it so that it didn't look frumpy. In fact, I'm not sure I'd know how... Sorry.

Nixee2231 · 09/01/2018 09:13

Ps. Id wear a waist belt with it to break it up since it is so long, and stay away from dark stockings.

Original poster
JessiCake · 09/01/2018 09:15

Nixee aha! A diametrically opposed view!!!

Thanks v much.

Ooooh now mustard shoes sounds a nice idea. I don't have any and can't really afford any... I have very very bright pink shoes that I often put with more 'sensible' outfits and I love that look Blush so I could try that. My boots I would wear with it are light brown.

I think I'm trying to be bolder as about a year ago I lost a good deal of weight and have gone from a firm 14 to a 10 - I was very very stuck in a rut of black-trousers-and-a-safe-top for aaaaaages and never dared wear a dress. This is something I would never have worn back then so I'm trying to expand my fashion horizons, bit by bit.

OP posts:
Original poster
JessiCake · 09/01/2018 09:17

MamaheSan Grin that's where I worry too! I'm not the greatest stylist of stuff! I mean I wouldn't wear it with a bobble hat and a hand-knitted cardi (though if I was 21 and gorgeous, that might even work??!!) but I wouldn't be sure how to avoid it heading into Kate Middleton territory... nothing against the DofC but I really dislike some of her midi-dress-and-heels outfits.

OP posts:
NineFortySixPM · 09/01/2018 09:19

I think with your build it could look ok, large bust or bigger build and it’s got matronly/frump written all over.

I work with lots of slim young girls (early 20s) and they wear this style of dress and look great. The same on me would look grannyish & tragic sadly

Kitsharrington · 09/01/2018 09:23

I tried this on in green the other day and it was a strange fit, the waist sat too high (but not high enough to be a true empire) and the fabric below billowed out weirdly instead of falling straight.

domesticslattern · 09/01/2018 09:24

Beat in mind that if you buy in the sale Jigsaw won't refund, only exchange or credit note. And you have to get back to the shop within two weeks.
I do agree that it is definitely the kind of dress you need to try on though.

Original poster
JessiCake · 09/01/2018 09:24

NineFortySix, that's it, I'm sort of vaguely hoping that having an ironing board chest and legs like sticks can make this work. I'm not early 20s though, which I think is where the look might start to go horribly wrong... sigh. This is why I tend to play it so safe!! Might just go for the perfectly pleasant black T-shirt style dress in the Jigsaw sale instead and not get in a pickle about How To Wear It Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
JessiCake · 09/01/2018 09:26

Thanks kitsharrington... I have zero waist (have always wanted one) so oddly enough weird-waisted shapes are ok on me. Agree that billowing fabric doesn't sound at all good, though.

domestic - yep, that's true re the sale... is that the case for online sale purchases as well, or only in the shops? Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
JessiCake · 09/01/2018 09:27

Ah have just checked that, domestic - buying online in the sale entitles you to refund, in the shops it's only credit note as you say.

OP posts:
domesticslattern · 09/01/2018 09:30

Hmmmm interesting, just checked and different policy so they will refund online purchases.

HonkyWonkWoman · 09/01/2018 09:32

To me, the style is very frumpy. I actually like midi -length skirts but the split in this one looks odd. You can find something better than this I would think!

Anniethinggose · 09/01/2018 09:32

I think the material and details save it from being what I would call 'travel agent' chic
I couldn't pull it off because the waistline/my natural waistline ratio would make my 34C boobs look at least twice the size
As with anything, if you're hesitating, and wondering how to style it, it might just end up sitting in your wardrobe.
But if you love it, go for it!

DrRanjsRightEyebrow · 09/01/2018 09:36

I like it for summer, with a tan belt and tan sandals. I especially like it at the back with all the slits, nice twist in the design.

tellitlikeitispls · 09/01/2018 09:50

There's no harm in trying. I think its cute, but that neckline would kill me. I'd look like a right frump too, but thats due to my shape.

RoseWhiteTips · 09/01/2018 10:01

Don’t like it - sorry. Just because it says Jigsaw on the label, that doesn’t make it acceptable. It is dull and ageing.

RatherBeRiding · 09/01/2018 10:42

It's "OK" but nothing more. On your build it would look fine, but I think its very boring, sorry. You could spice it up with bold statement shoes but I still think there are a lot more interesting dresses out there.......

daydreamnation · 09/01/2018 10:54

I think this would only look good on someone extremely slim and tall. Sorry. I'm a petite size 8 but short and while I love the dress, I know I'd look a tight old frump in it! Sorry.

daydreamnation · 09/01/2018 10:55

Right not tight! Grin

Original poster
JessiCake · 09/01/2018 10:56

daydream, I quite like the concept of a tight old frump!!

OK I thnk on balance I'm going to steer clear and look elsewhere. I don't have a massive budget and would rather find something I'm not a bit uncertain about.

Alternative is to de-age 20 years, grow three inches and shrink to a size 8 overnight.

Thanks everyone, always appreciate the candid advice on here.

OP posts:
daydreamnation · 09/01/2018 11:00

Jessi I'd need to be far from tight to consider buying a dress from jigsaw!
Good luck with the search, I'm on the hunt for a dress for a spring wedding, the sales have offered me nothing!!!

georgie262 · 09/01/2018 11:14

It does look a bit 'mumsy' but that is fashionable at the moment. You are quite tall and slim too so could probably pull it off- I'd look like a sack of spuds 🥔

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