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Original poster

Thoughts on this dress

82 replies

SnoopLabbyLab · 18/09/2022 18:08

I need a new dress for a few events before Christmas ( dinner with a friend at The Wolesley, a conference in Boston, Paris with DD- life’s not normally this exciting). Normally I’d get something moderately stylish but safe from Hobbs. However, this came up on my FB feed and caught my eye. I like that the clothes are designed and made in England, and they are made from
natural fabrics.

palava.co/collections/womens-dresses/products/cynthia-teal-yorkshire-dales-dress

Is it nice and quirky or peri-menopausal try-hard?

OP posts:
whingewhinge · 18/09/2022 20:18

Absolutely love it! Also love how people feel really differently about it

StopStartStop · 18/09/2022 20:19

I had something similar when I was four, and loved it.

For an adult, no. Almost anything else would be preferable.

Otterseatpuffinsdontthey · 18/09/2022 20:25

I like it. It is nice . It is quirky. If you are tall and slim, and you like it - go for it!
(I'm biased as I love puffins).

Triffid1 · 18/09/2022 20:27

I don't think it's appropriate for the type.of events you are planning for. But if you like it then great.

HuntingoftheSnark · 18/09/2022 20:30

I really dislike it but it seems that it's a marmite dress, given the comments.

DisforDarkChocolate · 18/09/2022 20:31

I love their clothes but I can't afford any yet. They look fabulous.

DisforDarkChocolate · 18/09/2022 20:34

Also, and this really bugged me, do you get lots of Puffins in Yorkshire. I always think of them as a Northumberland sea bird and the print looks more Yorkshire Dale's.

chimpandzee · 18/09/2022 20:46

I have some Pavlava but mostly knitwear. Their cardigans are fab. They are quirky and have a vintage 50s vibe, if that is your style then go for it. You can give that dress a different look depending on accessories, footwear etc. Definitely a dress that can be dressed up or down. I know people who would look fab wearing that as a day dress with trainers. But it would also work more formally.

SocksAndTheCity · 18/09/2022 21:15

DisforDarkChocolate · 18/09/2022 20:34

Also, and this really bugged me, do you get lots of Puffins in Yorkshire. I always think of them as a Northumberland sea bird and the print looks more Yorkshire Dale's.

You do along the coast - I had a lovely day out years ago walking along Bempton Cliffs and seeing all the different sea birds there. I suspect they're a bit thin on the ground in the Dales 🤪

I think 'twee' and 'cutesy' as a PP said were the words I couldn't think of earlier which would stop me wearing anything like that, but I still don't think it suits your plans either. Does it have to be one dress for all three things?

DisforDarkChocolate · 18/09/2022 21:20

I have recently got a very lovely dress from The Shirt Company in the sale. Definitely dressy enough for your plans. I have so many dresses but not many are dressy.

Shiningstarr · 18/09/2022 21:22

I'm not sure. They only have it in a size 6, is that your size?

The tights and shoes in the picture are hideous, the actual dress is ok, not sure about the neckline and sleeves.

Definitely not worth £155.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 18/09/2022 22:05

Shiningstarr · 18/09/2022 21:22

I'm not sure. They only have it in a size 6, is that your size?

The tights and shoes in the picture are hideous, the actual dress is ok, not sure about the neckline and sleeves.

Definitely not worth £155.

Agree that the online styling is awful.

StarlightLady · 19/09/2022 09:03

Everyone has their own style, l’ in my 40s and it wouldn’t be for me.

I dislike the sleeves, I find it to “full” and l don’t think the picture bit works.

Egghead68 · 19/09/2022 09:07

I don’t like it

UnityO · 19/09/2022 09:15

Hmm it's ok - bit frumpy in my view but ok!- but there are so many nicer dresses out there!!

Spudlover · 19/09/2022 12:23

I like the shape and the main colour, I think the scene around the bottom ruins it though.

Makes it look like an early 2000s Radley handbag.

Milesty1 · 19/09/2022 14:45

I love Palava but agree this particular style is reminiscent of retro revival/Lindybop et al. I think it’s the collar. Much prefer this style which would suit the events you mention a bit more palava.co/collections/womens-dresses/products/rita-gold-sloes-dress

ILoveMyBedTooMuch · 19/09/2022 15:24

What is the print on it? Penguins?

Mumwithbaggage · 19/09/2022 19:27

Wouldn't wear it in Paris! If you are a size 6 and gorgeous I'm sure it will look fab. On me it would look frumpy and quirky in a bad way. Don't wear those godawful socks like the model though!

Charliehaus · 19/09/2022 19:30

Fugly

mathanxiety · 20/09/2022 02:18

It's not a dress to wear if you want to be taken seriously as a business or legal professional, an academic, or a scientist in Boston.

If you're in the arts, work in a museum or library or children's publishing, or if you're going to be representing quirky British design, then wear it with confidence.

I wouldn't wear it to Paris either.

Or to dinner. It's a dress to wear to a fancy picnic.

mathanxiety · 20/09/2022 02:20

Quintessentially English in a slightly frumpy way. The Americans would love it.

The Americans would think you lost the luggage that contained the clothes you had packed to wear.

NoDairyNoProblem · 20/09/2022 02:24

I wouldn’t wear it to any of the events you have planned. There are hundreds of nicer dresses out there!

Monty27 · 20/09/2022 02:41

trailrunner85 · 18/09/2022 18:25

Ooh that's a tricky one. I don't much like it, I'm the way I don't really like that Lindy Bop-type 50s look on most people. If you properly lean into it - immaculate 50s hair, red lipstick, heels - you could look amazing, in a knowingly retro sort of way.

But 99% of people (including the model on the ad) will just look a bit twee and dowdy in it. I certainly would.

Exactly this OP.
It looks naice but heavy maintenance in caring and wearing

Givemesunshines · 20/09/2022 15:22

Its fab. Palava is a vintage leaning company , which is why a few people dont get it ?