Which dress? (Photos)

[ADress]

Further to an earlier thread with great advice, I've settled on the Hobbs Twitchell dress style to go to Henley regatta at the weekend. Only thing is, there are two fabric patterns available and I like both!

(Brief background is I've recently lost weight, and whilst two sizes smaller than I was, still not entirely body confidant and don't know what's most flattering to buy now. I left it a bit late to sort something out, so whilst I probably could have done better with more time, this is where I'm at.)

Which fabric would you go for? I'm leaning towards the bolder one as I feel it's more flattering but DH literally went 'gosh it's bold' which makes me think it's a bit too much. I'm more of a shrinking violet so it might be a bit too 'in your face'.

Also shoes. I want to wear the ones in the pic as it's standing up on grass nearly all day and I don't have any other colour shoes with block heels. If I went for the bolder colour dress, could I wear those shoes? Again I know not ideal but I don't have any others apart from flats.

Please be gentle, I'm exposing myself to the world here with photos!

(And sorry for the crappy camera angle, I was having to body block the baby from crawling round the stair gate).

Leafy

I'll have a hunt in the depths of my wardrobe, into the dark recesses last visited in a former life aka pre-children. I think I have a couple of pairs of wedges, poss one silver which may work??

I'm not great walking in them though. Feel really unstable if the ground isn't perfectly flat. I'll have a look and see how they feel.

Defo leafy. And you look fab btw

Second one

They both look lovely on you, but for the occasion the second dress looks much more upmarket and classier.

Dress 1

The trouble with espadrilles, is that unless you are very tall and willowy, they can visually cut your legs in half and make your legs look very stumpy.

So if you go down the espadrille route, make sure you tie the ribbons low down on your ankles to minimise this as much as possible.

@AdaColeman

The trouble with espadrilles, is that unless you are very tall and willowy, they can visually cut your legs in half and make your legs look very stumpy. So if you go down the espadrille route, make sure you tie the ribbons low down on your ankles to minimise this as much as possible.

You can get nice espadrille wedges with straps, rather than ribbons.

I can't see myself buying new shoes. I just don't have the occasions to justify the purchase and I'm at my happiest in flip flops!

But I'm well aware of not cutting off my legs. I'm only 5'4 so there's not much of them anyway.

Your shoes look really nice anyway.

Well done on the weight loss. I agree with @Disneycharacter, a lower neckline would suit you better.

Both look nice but prefer wavy. The other one is a bit ubiquitous and dated

Yes, I agree too about the neckline, but of the dresses I tried, this style was the best overall so I've had to accept the neckline.

Quick q on wedges. In my own simple terms I'd say they come in a mid height and high height. Could the mid height work or do they need to be high? I can't see myself wearing a high pair again so wouldn't spend the money, but a mid height pair I'd be more likely to use again.

The dresses have navy in them not black so I'm looking at navy wedges.

I think I've cracked the problem of why so many of us think wavy doesn't fit so well. There's a wave goes right across your boobs! Thicker on the left, going to a point on the right, and with a blob of navy above your right boob. Makes your right boob look droopy!

@ADress I’d say it really depends on the cut of the espandrillo around the foot, a flattering cut will elongate your leg and you don’t need a really high heel. A peep toe will normally elongate you leg as well. Like mentioned above I’d avoid an unflattering strap cut off. However, sometimes a nicely placed ribbon tie works really well even on a shorter leg. Sorry not much help! Don’t fork out on a high heeled pair you won’t like or feel comfortable in though- it will just distract you from having a great day.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all of the comments and am taking them on board, not just for this, but in general too.

I won't have a chance to try and get better pics tonight, but I'll try again tomorrow with the wedges I have now found.

Here's a life lesson for you: if you're ever packing shoes in a box to chuck in a cupboard for the next eight years, make sure there's no mud left on the sole. I've just had to use a bleach solution to remove the ecosystem which had been growing on them 🤢. Anyway, now I'm passed the want to vom stage, they've cleaned up ok. Maybe it's a hint I do need new shoes.

And then winner is... leafy.

Upon reflection, I feel leafy goes better with the shoes and my skin tone. And whilst a safer bet, I don't think I'll look back on photos of leafy and think 'oops I shouldn't have done that' which I feel is a possible risk with wavy. Of course now I'll never know (I'm not keeping both!) but it's a nice dress and it will do the job.

The wedges were uncomfortable and will go to a charity shop.

Thanks so much for all of the replies. It was very very helpful.

Yay! You'll look great

Great choice ADress! Have a super day!

Good choice. I’d wear wavy to work but leafy is a little more ‘fancy’.

Good choice!
I would go for leafy too .Shame about your wedges .

They are both really lovely! I think the second one but I'm a slightly smaller size it looks a little loose fitting on you

But I think even if you go for 1 a good choice and if you can't change the fit of two I'd go for number one