Vintage - delighted or deluded buying these?

[SheWoreBlueVelvet]

I am going round for dinner with friends tomorrow. Old friends but also a couple down from London. Wanted to get one of those over sized tent dress monstrosities as they look like you made effort without being dressed up.
Found a very current one in charity shop but miffed at having to pay £12. Also thought it might date as very obviously 2019

I the then went to out vintage shop and got totally sucked in by these two. One looks baggy but has side flap bits. Thought it looked similar but different.
The other looks beautiful on and is pure silk with fabulous matching lining. I got both for £55.
Done well or an idiot for spending £37 more than I wanted?

( I also think it’s important to support local indepengant shops as well as charity shops).

The charity shop doesn’t have to pay business rates the same way as the woman who runs the vintage shop though.
She sells on behalf of other people for high value items and has special collections of authentic clothes for local events. I think that’s better then ebay in terms of environment. Recycling whoever does it has got to be good. Whilst most of my clothes are charity shop stuff I think it’s important to support local business too.

I love the first one on too. Looks great. I think I prefer it shorter but both work.

The first one is absolutely gorgeous! You have a lovely figure.

You look lovely in the first one and you have such pretty skin

i think both are quite nice OP but the silk one is pretty dressy, i'd only really wear it to a wedding or similar so it wouldn't get wear for me as its fairly busty, fits you amazingly though!

Are they returnable? All the charity shops around here offer returns, the same as normal shops. If money is an issue i don't think there is any shame in returning something unsuitable to a charity shop really. If you would have been just as happy with the £12 then that would have been the smarter choice IMO.

£55 is not alot for two dresses you love and will get wear out of, it is a lot if you have nowhere to wear them and could have spent £12. All depends how much you love them really.

Oh bless you guys. Thanks. I always turn up ready for combat on MN. Actually it’s just the iPad. My skin is properly crepey in real life .

Both are OK.
the 2nd one (the first one you seem to have tried one, with the larger pattern) is really gorgeous.
bit long to wear with anything but heels unfortunately (imo) but goodness, it's extremely pretty.

I like dress one (with the interesting pockets best). They both look great on you however.
I would style pocket dress with a heeled ankle boot, and dress 2 with the same or for more casual, with trainers.
Great finds!

Ooh you look FAB in both and I really love the decor of your house too

Please don’t look at the house!

So I wore the first dress with these boots. These were a another “bargain” from Rome.( top tip - January sales in Italy are bloody amazing). The boots were less than £20 so a very good price. But although the softest suede ever I am not a heels girl. So hardly wear them so price vs a crappy fake suede is nothing. Hopefully these will last longer than synthetic

Got loads of compliments on first dress so I think I’m safe. Going style it for work now.

I think those boots would look good with both dresses. Well done @SheWoreBlueVelvet