What should I do with this dress?

[TerpsichoreanMuse]

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...

It’s very Dorothy, the red shoes would make it worse.

I don’t like it, it’s very 80’s.

Better with a jacket.

Agree that it does nothing for you. I don't think it's a vintage dress. It's just dated. Plenty of nicer options out there for you. You've a great figure and beautiful hair so it's definitely not you.

I don’t like the dress very much at all, sorry OP. However, if it was mine I think I too would try and make it work, because of the label. If it wasn’t a VW would you still like it? In your position I’d carefully eBay it and buy something else with the money I made.

It made me smile to see the style, my mother had a dress very like this copied from a Vogue picture in the 1950's, I doubt I'll ever be thin enough to wear it but I do have in mind to get it copied. The denim jacket looks best, but maybe with bare brown legs ad sandals.

How much do you think it would cost on Ebay? I’ve never been into designers or particularly brands etc,

I’d eBay it again if I were you. I agree with previous posters who say that it isn’t doing much for you. It’s too square and mannish-looking.

I’m always unconvinced when people recommend wearing sweaters over or under summery dresses to make them suitable for colder months. It never really works.

There are many other things you would look great in.

I think it's fab. It suits your figure and it looks really, really good with the leather jacket - not so much with the denim one, but the denim one is OK. The red bag is good, and I think it's crying out for even more red. I think I'd put a red scarf or red jewellery with it.

I can't see this dress with open-toed shoes, sandals or anything strappy at all. I think it needs plain, closed shoes or boots. Silver or grey would look good with it - black is a bit heavy.

It’s dated and an unflattering shape. Sorry OP, if anyone could make it work I think you could, but I think you should eBay it and treat yourself to something else.

I think it's great! It would be lovely in the summer with tan bag and tan wedges, a lovely summer hat.

I'd ebay it. Its much better with the leather jacket but its not the nicest dress and the colours are far too pale for you with your skin tone IMO.

It looks so much better with the leather jacket and tights.

Agree with PP that red shoes would make it too Dorothy.

Denim jacket works, but I don't like it with the black tights and boots with that.

Please save it for Autumn and wear it with the leather jacket - it works so well with it.

Have you tried the denim jacket with bare legs and trainers?

I'm seriously tending towards the eBay option. The whole not worn it for two years thing, whoever mentioned the neckline is right too, and I didn't really want it as a winter/autumn dress. (That said I do think those leather jacket / boots suggestions were brilliant, it looks loads better that way.) I just looked through my email to see what I paid for it (I thought £50) and it was £99 :-( I was a bit of a eBay idiot of few years ago. Sadly none of the photos are there now so I can't see what sold me on it. Doubt I'll get that back but it might find a happier home.

I’d sell it then and buy something more modern.

When you ebay it you could include the leather jacket photo and a summer dress photo and say it’s a very versatile dress.

Be honest, if it didn't have 'Vivien Westwood' on the label would you ever other wearing it?
Remember, no one else can see the label.

If you haven't worn it, it's because you don't love it. It's not a flattering fit and you do have a fab figure. Sell it.

Don't eBay it yet! See if you wear it in Autumn. The leather jacket and tights show that it's not unflattering - it just needed to be funked up a bit. , and stop it veering into little girl territory.

Having said that, I still think that sneakers and a denim jacket, and a bit of fake tan, would also potentially lift it into something wearable on a casual spring/summer day/evening too.

If you don't wear it this year, then is the time to eBay it, but at least give it a chance.

I was ready to say just stick it back on eBay, but it does look good both ways after you'd styled it. I'd lose the tights and wear with trainers or sandals with the denim jacket but that's just me.

Sorry but I don't think it flatters you so I think you should eBay it.

I like it but the neck line is wrong. Many a funky leather or denim jacket with a scarf might break it up. Or could you get the neckline altered by a dressmaker? I think dress down. Funky trainer in a bright contrasting colour.

Just seen pics and it looks fab with the leather. Keep it!

You look really lovely but the dress doesn't

It reminds of something I made at school in the 80s

I would eBay it, particularly as you haven't worn it

I would stick it back on eBay, you'll easily get your money back on it. There's one on there for £120 at the moment (Anglomania checked Degas dress). Life is too short to wear stuff you don't feel completely comfortable in.

You have a lovely figure and your accessories are great. It is because of these two things the dress can be made to look ok. The skirt part is nice enough. On it's own, the whole dress with dropped waist and neckline is unflattering. You could still get some wear out of it with these accessories.

Outfit with black biker jacket looks fab