Are cape dresses aging?

[DorisToday]

I am looking for a cocktail dress for a special occasion, and on my online search so far, I keep being drawn to dresses with long sleeves, and cape dresses.

I think they look so elegant compared dresses with bare shoulders/chest.

I am only early thirties, and not sure why I am suddenly drawn to a mother-of-the bride style! I just seem to have gone off the look of bare shoulders.

I guess my question is - do you think of cape dresses or long-sleeved cocktail dresses as being predominantly for older women?

I am not concerned about being super trendy, but don’t want to look odd if I go with a cape dress.

www.johnlewis.com/gina-bacconi-gabriella-beaded-cape-dress/cherry-wine/p3297223

Like this.

I love that dress

I’m sorry OP- that is a dress for a lady of a certain age, on a cruise ship.

Long sleeves can be very chic and very young, especially if the dress is simple- and has bare skin elsewhere (back for example).

I’d give the likes of the link you posted a miss though.

LOL - thank you for your honesty! I suspected that’s the case.

Think I’m aging before my time, I would love to go on a cruise 😊

I am of a certain age
Maybe that's why I like it.

Thanks Lonicera for your response too. I love it too!

It's a nice dress, but it does look a bit 'older lady' to me. I'm late thirties.

I’m 55 and I wouldn’t wear it.

Yes me too I wouldn’t wear it

That's me told then

I like it! I’m 35. I am not a fan of arms out, shoulders out, chest out either. Even when I actually had the figure for it .

www.prettylittlething.com/sage-green-satin-cape-midi-dress.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping&utm_content=uk&utm_term=product_target&istCompanyId=3b233929-048d-4b79-a672-b37827e7282d&istItemId=-qiampqtii&istBid=tzpi&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInezb_MOn4AIV1uF3Ch0vugFnEAQYByABEgIj_vD_BwE

I think the beading is more ageing than the cape tbh. This^^, sans beading manages to make it look a bit younger I think.

See, I thought you meant something light this, which would be awesome!

*like

I think it's lovely; love the Pretty Little Thing one as well.

I think they are but that one isn’t!

I thought you meant something like this which IS aging

www.boohoo.com/petite-cape-sleeve-midi-dress/PZZ79701.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx4KPpNWn4AIVD1QYCh2L2QIDEAkYASABEgJgovD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Definitely aging

Personally I haven't ever met a cape dress (as in elbow length cape sleeves with the cape bit coming to approximately bra strap length) that looks really good on and doesn't make me feel older than my years. On balance, I think they are ageing, yes.

The pretty little thing green dress, if I had the figure to pull that off I wouldn't be wasting it on a cape dress. That kind of dress would need a super toned figure to look good as it would highlight every hint of problem area - muffin top, saddlebag, rounded stomach etc.

Yes I was thinking the same about the pretty little thing dress, it does look younger, but I would have shadows in the wrong places. Same with the boohoo one although I actually like it too and it doesn’t look old to me...

Couldn’t pull off the maroon one but it is magnificent on Cate Blanchett.

I might go with a very high Bardot top and skirt like this, although will have to see what it looks like on my shoulders.

www.coast-stores.com/p/verona-top/2029380?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyJz2pfqn4AIVFIbVCh0lKQTTEAQYAiABEgI4UfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Yes, definitely need a great figure for the Pretty Little Things dress. But, people with great figures don’t always want their chest, arms, shoulders etc out, just because they can 🤷‍♀️.

My friend’s wedding dress was like it. Not forgiving at all, as you needed a super toned figure for it, but it was still quite modest, demure and classy, which really suited the bride. Definitely one of my favourite ever bridal outfits.

Any views on this one? Not sure if it’s too ‘little-girly’ or ‘lady of a certain age’ - hopefully somewhere in between?

m.asos.com/chi-chi-london/chi-chi-london-premium-lace-midi-dress-with-cap-sleeve-in-navy/prd/8033887?clr=navy-navy&SearchQuery=evening%20dresses%20with%20sleeves&gridcolumn=2&gridrow=34&gridsize=2&pge=7&pgesize=72&totalstyles=1210

That navy one is lovely. Definitely the nicest that you've posted.

Navy is my favourite too. Not keen on the Coast one, or the Cate Blanchett one.

Thank you all for your views!