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...

I’m certainly in the “if you like it fuck other people’s opinions and rock it” kind of camp too. Let’s face it, with your figure you could pull off a bin bag.

But if I had to pass judgement it would be another eBay it vote I’m afraid. Anything red with it screams wizard of oz. Looks loads better with either jacket (not those boots though) but still, ultimately the shape is not flattering for you at all. The dropped waist paired with the length of the skirt isn’t sitting right, makes the dress look too big and too long, and not put together in my opinion. It’s not awful, but it’s not as great as it could be.

I love this type of dress and always have a soft spot for Westwood ... but it really doesn't work on you and I'm saying that because I'm similar shape/colouring/age.
I can get away with a similar full shape if a midi or maxi but not above knees it makes me feel like a young girl who should be skipping, I can just about go checks but at least one colour needs to be vibrant (cream/grey just washes me out), and if it takes that much effort to style it for a casual day dress then I just won't be arsed!
It does look better with tights, jacket etc but I think that's because those things 'hide' the dress as opposed to emphasising the dress if you see what I mean. So if you've not worn it in 2 years, I'm another vote to cut your losses and back on eBay.

It looks better with the leather jacket (but not with that red bag). I have a personal dislike of denim jackets so can't comment on that. But I think PPs are right, the shape isn't flattering and neither are the colours.

However ... if you loved it you would have worked out how to wear it when you bought it. I'm ruthless when it comes to clothes! Sell it and buy something you can't wait to wear.

That is the type of dress you need to wear with attitude.

I'd go for some bright tights, red or if you can fuschia pink and boots.

The shape isn't flattering from the front but a net underskirt to push it out would change that - you could even use a coloured net.

Try with a long sleeve T shirt underneath.

Sorry but I completely disagree, Sashh. I think that would take the OP into Pantomime Dame/fancy dress territory and look absolutely terrible.

Its simply the type of dress nobody would look twice at unless it had the designer label in it. It's reminiscent of a 1950s home economics project.

Sorry OP. Someone will take it off your hands simply for the label but it needs to go.

That’s actually a really cool dress. I’d suggest black tights/ankle boots and then wear a while bell sleeved blouse underneath it at the top. If you can get one with a pussy bow even better. Accessorise with a small hand bag (of the variety the queen carries) and w good blow dry. I know it sounds a bit much but it’s a great dress, you just need to wear it with confidence.

Its simply the type of dress nobody would look twice at unless it had the designer label in it

I have to agree with this, the only thing that'd make me stop scrolling through EBay would be if it was listed as VIVIENNE WESTWOOD in huge bold letttering.

The dress itself is just meh.

I love the dress. I think it’s because I had a virtually identical one, back in ‘95. It was from French Connection though (I think) and I wore it to death. Happy memories.

I wouldn’t wear it now though. The pp who said about it having the air of a little girl skipping has it about right - I got away with it at 21, but I’d feel a bit wrong in it these days.

The dress was a bit meh in the first photos but looks amazing dressed up. Love your boots too.

I don't love the dress but it looks good styled with the leather jacket and boots.

Wear a long sleeeve black, maroon or navy top underneath and dark tights