Floral dress unsure about it

[Gonnagetgoing]

So I tried on this dress last summer and was never sure about it so didn’t buy it:-

www.zalando.co.uk/selected-femme-garden-ankle-gown-dress-day-dress-sandshell-se521c11e-a11.html?size=14&allophones=0&wmc=SEM440_NB_GO._3909818306_605020222_127625162534.&opc=2211&mpp=google%7Cv1%7C%7Cpla-537189585964%7C%7C9045877%7C%7Cg%7Cm%7C%7C555758780380%7C%7Cpla%7CSE521C11E-A110042000%7C537189585964%7C1%7C&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAADM17YYofpwoOOyRJaUUcxuNkLVAe&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0PWRBhDKARIsAPKHFGgjzyAOWWjiWn48W0iLftdoQVcuvLTPZBZ2rA6vwG9pPrS3CivyGRAaAqnPEALw_wcB

It came up in suggestions and I ordered it again. Got it delivered, tried it on and again I’m not sure. I think I wanted a nice long floral feminine dress especially because there are a couple of family and friends (separate people) parties this summer.

Should I return it or could I make it work?

I don't normally wear a dress that long, but I like it. It is very feminine.

@MissConductUS - ah curses! I like it too and I think it’ll work for these parties.

Why "ah curses", OP? Were you hoping someone would tell you to send it back?

I've looked again. I think it's lovely and perfect for a summer party.

I’m just torn on it. I like it but not sure how much.

I do think I need to find comfy heels to wear with it though.

You’re not sure so return it!

If you don't like it, don't feel
amazing in it or comfortable refund it.

Nice dress - like the v neck shape.

I would say avoid wearing black sandals as on the model. I think the colour looks too harsh with this dress.

I don’t love it, I think it’s the white background that doesn’t work for me.

Lovely shape. For me there is something bed linen-ey about the print.

I like the neckline, l like the back, for me it spells summer!

My big concern would be the danger of treading on the hem when negotiating stairs.

Sorry (or not sorry as you don't seem keen either!) but I think it's horrible. The bodice but is unflattering and shapeless and I don't like the print. It's also an odd length. Odd proportions between bodice and skirt. I'm sure you can find something much better.

You don’t need to ‘make it work’

Find something you love that just works

It's very Mumsy - the print and the length

I think it’s the floppy straps. Can you maybe just pin them to fit you firmly and see if that gives it a more structured feel?

It is quite fresh and summery looking but I dont love the print and with so much white it will be unforgiving of any marks (you may be less of a muck magnet than me)

But more fundamentally £100 is a lot to spend on something that doesnt feel right. I am sure if you return it others on S&B can suggest dresses that tick the ‘long, feminine’ box but may be more immediate hits.

Are any of your parties weddings? It’s a bit white for a wedding for me, so if you’re looking for a summer formal dress that you can use for everything I’d try another.

Im not a huge fan of those sleeves ...but that's me !
It's pretty dress

Not a fan of the print. It could be pretty in a different fabric

www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/product.smocked-puff-sleeve-midi-dress-orange.1064574001.html

I have this dress OP. It’s also available in other patterns and fits beautifully.

I like it but if you are not happy, then return it.

The proportions of the dress are off, there’s too much fabric in the skirt and as a few other posters have mentioned, the fabric is a bit bed linen-y, although I think curtains-y would be more accurate.

Anyway, and more importantly - you weren’t sure about it last year, you’re still not sure about it now you’ve bought it. Return it, because I am pretty certain you won’t wear it should you keep it.

I think it’s a lovely dress but my rule is that if I’m unsure I return as there’s always more clothes & something will come up that feels amazing on.

I don’t like it either, it just doesn’t work well for some reason.

Honestly in my experience if you don’t love it you’ll never wear it.

I don't like it at all (though that shouldn't matter). Not a fan of the print and colours and the proportions of the cut are odd, it doesn't look great or very stylish on the model (the jacket and shoes styling in photo 3 is awful and so dowdy) and she's obviously gorgeous!

Save yourself from yourself and return it OP, you've given it two goes over a long period of time and your gut feeling is clearly 'no'. For £100 you shouldn't feel that way or be working out how to 'make it work'. We're in April so the shops are about to be inundated with summer dresses.

If you're unsure, it's a No. I'm trying to only buy / keep clothes I LOVE, one of the key criteria for keeping is that I don't need to ask a second opinion on the item - I know it is a keeper.