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Original poster

What should I do with this dress?

62 replies

TerpsichoreanMuse · 20/04/2020 12:17

It's a Vivienne Westwood I bought as a bargain on eBay a couple of years ago. I've not managed to wear it. I wonder if I'm just too old for it (60 in a couple of weeks.) If not, I need to style it somehow. Fake tan on the legs for sure. Something to hide my flabby arms too, but no idea what. I think it needs some colour too - I have a red handbag. Would red shoes be too matchy? Should I just rEbay it? Grateful for any ideas and I won't care if you say I'm too old for it, I'm
definitely thinking that myself...

OP posts:
Original poster
TerpsichoreanMuse · 20/04/2020 12:17

Oh, the photos...

What should I do with this dress?
What should I do with this dress?
OP posts:
PerditaDreamsofFairHorses · 20/04/2020 13:56

You look amazing in that dress. I wish I had your figure (I'm a couple of decades younger than you). I love it.

Depends for what occasion you want to wear it, but I think it would look nice with flat tan sandals. I don't think you need anything to cover your arms. At a push, a leather jacket. I don't think you need fake tan either, it might look unnatural and you have a beautiful skin tone. At most a bit of leg make up.

Original poster
TerpsichoreanMuse · 20/04/2020 14:00

Hadn't thought of tan with it, thanks. I do have some flat sandals but they're a bit boring, bought for walking round all day rather than looks.

Leather jacket - I've only got a black one which would go I suppose as the dress is white and grey / black. I'll give that a try, might look good with the red bag.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Kintsugi16 · 20/04/2020 14:02

It looks great.
Yes to red handbag
No to matching shoes
Gentle tan
Chunky sandals
Possibly a denim jacket

AgathaX · 20/04/2020 14:03

Beautiful dress and it really suits you. I agree tan would look great with it.

Lippy1234 · 20/04/2020 14:49

I’m not normally a cardigan fan but have you tried the dress with one? If not do you have a denim jacket? Not that you need to cover your arms I’m just thinking of ways you’d get more wear out if it as it’s sunny and chilly at the moment.
I’m 51 and would wear the dress (if I was as lovely and slim as you) so I don’t think it is too young for you.
Try it with all the shoes, sandals, jackets, bags you have and see what works.

PrimeraVez · 20/04/2020 15:03

Honestly I don’t think it does anything for you (and you have a great figure)

It seems like one of those things that seemed like a great time at time but in reality was a bit of a crap but. Done it myself many times!

DelphiniumBlue · 20/04/2020 18:19

Sorry, I agree with PrimaVez, I just don't think it does anything for you. You have a fab figure, but I think you'd look better in a different shape - actually I can't imagine who would suit that shape dress.
You could try a denim jacket or coloured cardigan to see if it would break it up a bit, but i don't think the neckline goes with the skirt.
You'd think VW would know better - her dresses are normally more flattering!

Ducksarsehead · 20/04/2020 20:40

Would it maybe be cooler as a winter dress.
Black polo neck underneath. Opaques and dm style boots.
The structure at the waist feels like adding a jacket over it now would add bulk not show off your great waist and the dresses pleating.
For summer maybe white trainers?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/04/2020 20:50

Denim jacket (neat and slightly cropped) and trainers/sandals with bare legs

Leather jacket, opaques and ankle boots for Autumn/Winter

It needs a jacket or cardigan to slightly cover the 'puff' at the waist, I think.

TheWordmeister · 20/04/2020 20:55

Sorry, but it does absolutely nothing for you. But you're slim so would look great in many things.

dudsville · 20/04/2020 21:17

It's a fabulous dress and i think it looks great on you. I love the detail of dropped waist and the gathers starting halfway.

MoltonSilver · 20/04/2020 22:19

Ebay it. Purely because if you haven't worn it after a couple of years, you're not going to.

justanotherneighinparadise · 20/04/2020 22:23

It feels like you need the waist lifted but of course then you’d have the issue of it being too short. I bet a slouchy jumper over the top and tights in autumn/winter would look cute.

Zebracat · 20/04/2020 23:37

I love this dress. I think you’re over invested in it being special, just treat it as a pretty summer dress, sandals or trainers, leather jacket, denim jacket, cardigan, whatever, fake tan if you want or be pale. It’s not too young for you, but making it dressy will age you.

RoscoePColtrane · 20/04/2020 23:50

You have a great figure and it is a little boxy on the hips. However, I think you need to Vivienneify it a bit. Do you have DMs? I would be inclined to go a bit Rockabilly. Maybe hair up with a scarf, red lipstick. Dms. I like fishnets but not to everyone's taste. Cropped denim or leather jacket to show off your waist.

Original poster
TerpsichoreanMuse · 21/04/2020 10:59

Thanks all - I think a few of you are voicing my thoughts - it's not right and it's something about the boxiness around the hips. I really don't like my arms either.

Those of you who suggested denim / leather jacket / boots - I think it does look better like this, I'll add some photos. (And would be even better if I did the hair thing / red lips but haven't time right now) But really if I was dressing like that I'd probably wear jeans to be honest.

What should I do with this dress?
What should I do with this dress?
OP posts:
justanotherneighinparadise · 21/04/2020 11:02

Leather jacket looks ace!

WickedlyPetite · 21/04/2020 11:04

You have a lovely figure but the dress does absolutely nothing for you. The colour completely washes you out in the first pics, and the best of all of them is with the denim jacket, but it's still not great.

You haven't work or in the couple of years since you bought it - stick it back on eBay.

LesLavandes · 21/04/2020 11:08

Gorgeous photos and style dressed up! Go girl...

dontgobaconmyheart · 21/04/2020 11:22

You have a great figure and look generally fab OP but the dress isn't doing anything for you. The drop waist style of it isn't faltering and just looks off IMO, and will do whatever it is paired with.

If I hadn't have been told it was VW I'd not have assumed it had been expensive, it looks more like a nice enough but slightly dated normal charity shop find. I would stick it on ebay and chalk it up to experience. It's the dress, not your or age etc.

anothermansmother · 21/04/2020 11:31

The colours and shape of it don't suit you. The dropped waist and pleated hips make the dress look strange.
Put it back on eBay and buy something that suits your colouring and shape, you have a great figure, show it off.

MrsTumbletap · 21/04/2020 11:35

Don't like the dress you have a fab figure and hair! .

But if you definitely want to wear it, the leather jacket and red bag and ankle boots look good. It actually looks loads better styled up. But I wouldn't take the jacket off as the high flat top neck is really dull and maxes you look boxy.

So make it an outdoor dress.

ANoiseAnnoys · 21/04/2020 11:36

I think it looks nice with the tights, boots and leather jacket - however I don’t like it in the first photos. You have a great figure though but the style and colour isn’t flattering without the other accessories to ‘Anchor’ it. So maybe wear it in autumn instead of summer.

Lippy1234 · 21/04/2020 11:44

I think it looks nice with the leather jacket. I’d wear it as an everyday dress with the jacket or a cardigan. Don’t overthink it, it’s a nice little dress but not worth buying anything new to go with it.