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Does this dress make me look 'a bit nineteenth century'?

268 replies

NewAccount270219 · 19/04/2019 07:23

I need a dress for a wedding next month. I tried this one on (in M&S) and really liked the colour and the flouncy way it twirls when I do (I might be five). Both my DM and DH hated it, which surprised me as they both normally at least claim to like most things I buy - DM said it looked 'weirdly covered up' and unflattering, while DH said it looked 'a bit nineteenth century' and then that there was 'something a bit Pennsylvania Dutch about it' (?!). I thought it was elegant but am now doubting myself! Thoughts, oh wise mumsnetters?

I'm 31, 5'10 and the dress pictured is a 12 (in M&S generous sizing). I'd quite like to look nice for this wedding as it'll be the first time I've seen lots of the people there in years, but I'm still feeling a bit body unconfident after having DS nine months ago (don't think I'll lose any more weight before this wedding, though - seem to have plateaued)

Does this dress make me look 'a bit nineteenth century'?
Does this dress make me look 'a bit nineteenth century'?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
17
NewAccount270219 · 19/04/2019 08:26

Also, I think because the dress is quite flattering people are overestimating the base material I have to work with... It makes me look a bit more curvaceous (and waist narrower - I used to have a little waist but I lost that in pregnancy and haven't got it back!) than I really am, so there isn't a tremendous figure under there just waiting to burst out. Me right now in my PJs, by way of comparison:

Does this dress make me look 'a bit nineteenth century'?
OP posts:
TSSDNCOP · 19/04/2019 08:27

Love the Silk Fred one

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 19/04/2019 08:28

I saw that dress and thought it looked nice. A bit bright for me but a nice shape.

TSSDNCOP · 19/04/2019 08:28

The orange thing added a lot of widths where you have none. I don’t think you’re a midi-skater style OP.

Shelbybear · 19/04/2019 08:29

I don't like it. The length isn't great would look better a bit shorted and the puffy sleeves are horrible. I'm with ur dh and do on this one.

TatianaLarina · 19/04/2019 08:29

Debenhams red wrap dress

Boden red dress

SprinkleOfInsanity · 19/04/2019 08:29

I really like it, it would look fantastic with a big gold chunky necklace and some strappy gold heels. High necks are bang on trend at the moment. The busy area reminds me of Eugiene's dress for her post-wedding shindig.

You have a gorgeous figure.

SpeckledyHen · 19/04/2019 08:29

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-dresses?page=1&fq_sub_category=Occasion%20Dresses&fq_attr_size=Size%5E12

Some nice ones with sleeves on here .

NewAccount270219 · 19/04/2019 08:30

I like that wrap dress you’ve linked OP, but I thought you didn’t want a wrap?

Ah, I was unintentionally confusing here - I mean I don't want a pashmina-y thing (as a solution to sleeveless), a wrap dress with sleeves would be fine!

OP posts:
Tinkoschminko · 19/04/2019 08:30

Don’t be daft OP. You’re gorgeous. Knee length skater dress or knee length drop waist with theee quarter sleeves and a square or boat neck would really suit you.,

Loopytiles · 19/04/2019 08:30

You are being negative about yourself. You have a good shape: the problem is the high street retailers’ offerings, not you!

The red dress looked good but wouldn’t be to everyone’s taste, eg your DH and DM, a bit “marmite”!

Sturmundcalm · 19/04/2019 08:31

even having seen the PJ pic I think that M&S dress is not particularly flattering - I think it's making you look wider at the hips than you are.

found this one as well when scrolling:
www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-justine-drape-dress-nightshade/p3765697
although poss too dark for you?

Blueemeraldagain · 19/04/2019 08:32

It’s the kind of dress that looks awful on a majority of people. It looks good on you but the kind of good where I would see you at a wedding or whatever and think “if she can make that look good imagine what she’d look like in something more fitting/revealing/stylish/modern”. I mean this as the strongest compliment, I am 5’2, a size 12 and I look like a little chubby Morman girl in dresses like that.

Eustasiavye · 19/04/2019 08:33

The silk fred one is lovely op.
I like the red one too but prefer the silkfred one.
I think people are used to seeing women expose more flesh that's the issue.

Gentlemanwiththistledownhair · 19/04/2019 08:33

I actually really like it! Blush Try a pp's suggestion of trying on the size down, is there a bit too much fabric at the hips?

I would accessories with something like teal stilettos and a big necklace, possibly something like this
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/545054514/nude-mint-gold-rhinestone-statement?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=statement+necklace&ref=sr_gallery-1-4&organic_search_click=1&frs=1

I'm not normally a blingy person, but I think that dress needs it because it's so modest...

maaaaame · 19/04/2019 08:33

Would something like this appeal to you OP?
https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-lace-midi-skater-dress/prd/9880134]

TatianaLarina · 19/04/2019 08:33

like that wrap dress you’ve linked OP, but I thought you didn’t want a wrap?

I think she was saying she didn’t want a wrap shawl type thing.

ittakes2 · 19/04/2019 08:34

I think you have a better figure than you think you do. I think it looks like you should try on a smaller size.

SprinkleOfInsanity · 19/04/2019 08:34

I mean this dress. You look great in it, and the fact that you like it and are comfortable in it is the main thing. Try it on with various different colour accessories, navy or gold would look really classy and elegant.

Does this dress make me look 'a bit nineteenth century'?
Lwmommy · 19/04/2019 08:34

Try Gap or Dorothy perkins.

Or tye debenhams website lets you filter on dress and sleeve length which makes it easier to find something

ImogenTubbs · 19/04/2019 08:35

I think it's a lovely dress, by the way.

maaaaame · 19/04/2019 08:35

Hmm that link wasn't v successful. Maybe this'll work instead

Does this dress make me look 'a bit nineteenth century'?
Gentlemanwiththistledownhair · 19/04/2019 08:35

Alternatively, there are plenty of dresses on Asos with sleeves. If you want to promote the illusion of a smaller waist, then try a kimono sleeve?

brizzlemint · 19/04/2019 08:36

you've got a lovely figure but the dress isn't the right one for you, I think you could find something much much nicer.

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