Is this Boden dress appropriate for a 23 year old?

[wintercandyland]

I'm conscious that their main target audience are more around the 30s mark, but I had my eye on this dress for a while and recently got it in the sale. I'm waiting for it to be delivered, but was just thinking that they have a reputation for looking a bit "mumsy"(I'm sans children for now lol!) What do you think?

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/puff-sleeve-cotton-dress-party-pink-stripe/sty-w0797-pnk

I think it is really only under 25s or so who would go for that dress*. So if you like it when it arrives, go for it.

*disclaimer: though everyone should just wear what they like, at any age.

£47.50!!!!! Never

DD is 21 and has one almost identical in blue but from a cheaper retailer. she wore it over the summer and on holiday etc. She is very not mumsy

I think it's lovely and my niece, who's 20, would wear it. It's reduced because it's for summer- keep it for next year.

Thanks all, some very interesting comments! I got it to wear for summer next year, hopefully on holiday! I shall update when it arrives…

I'm 30 and I like it and would wear it.

I don't like much of the Boden stuff, maybe because it's one of my mother's (65yo) favourite shops.

This is quite young looking I think. It could be from H&M, monsoon, anywhere really.

I'd wear it with the buttons mostly undone and grey OTK boots. Cute!

I think as others have said it is not so much about age. The Boden stuff is ok, but so expensive.

That used to be ok, as it was good quality. But I have had two stripy tips from them which have had holes in. Twice the price of new look say, or other high street shops - but worse quality.

Their catalogue came through my door today, it is so pricy for what it is.

If you like the dress and can afford it, then wear it. Things can look very different depending on who is wearing. But in principle, age 23...wearing this? It wouldn't be my first choice. But I am 40 so what would I know

38 and it wouldn't suit me at all but if I saw someone else (of any age) wearing it, I really wouldn't know if it came from ASOS, M&S or Boden - it's a very non-specific style in that sense so if you love it, wear it!

I'm 26 and while I wouldn't wear it myself - it's not right for my colouring - I don't think it's mumsy and could see 'younger' shops selling similar items.

I opened this hoping for a link to an appliqued party dress from the mini boden section that would fit a size 8.

What do I get, more ageist shite.

The deer boots should be in adult sizes

Wow there are some pretty strong reactions to what (IMO) is a pretty inoffensive dress.
I think it looks a bit expensive for what looks like a summer/beach type dress and I probably wouldn't wear it because I'm v short and very few dresses suit me but it doesn't seem particularly bad!

If you like it, wear it. Why do you care if it’s “appropriate”? doesn’t matter what anyone else think.

If you like It, buy it @wintercandyland.

And enjoy it.

I like it, it's pretty. My younger sister is 25 and I can imagine her wearing it.

It's lovely but I'd have it taken up a few inches! Maybe swap out the belt to make it look cooler.

I'm in my 40s and I wouldn't wear that. Not because of my age though, because it's horrible!

[quote wintercandyland]@maffhew I wasn't entirely sure, so I had a quick search and their founder states "the brand targets customers aged from 25 to 50, but what Boden calls the "bulls-eye" is the 35-year-old woman who typically has children, and for whom the most important thing is that the clothes are flattering , I just wear a lot of pink and thought the candy stripe was quite sweet! [/quote]
I'd have worn it at 23, I wouldn't wear it at 39 with three kids

It's not cruel to state an opinion about a horrible dress that looks like a newsagents paper bag, I'm sure OP can cope...
People don't need constantly pandering to.

@cervixuser

Do you like it? It's appropriate for anyone who likes it.

👏🏻👏🏻

Not sure what you mean by 'mumsy' but no, I wouldn't have worn that at 23. I probably wouldn't wear it now either Tbf!

Surprised by the responses, I think it’s lovely OP!
I’m 30 but would have worn at 23. Not in this weather of course, but in summer.

I've seen that dress and I like it and would wear it in summer with a generous slather of fake tan. I'm 42. But the disappointing thing about Boden is that very often the clothes don't look the same on me as on the models - the dresses are often too short in the body for me. I return 99% of what I order from Boden and I would probably end up returning this dress too, but I do like the idea of it and how it looks on the model.

I think it's cute and much more suited to someone in their 20s than to Boden's usual market.

I think I'm the target market and I'm nearly 50. Having said that, I think the same dress can look completely different on different ages and different body shapes so try or on.
You might rock it. It would look mummy on me but I bet it wouldn't on you.