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Original poster

Too old for this dress? Help me accessorise

21 replies

paranoidmumdroid1 · 26/02/2023 17:47

Bought this dress in the sales for a UK smart-casual summer wedding. I'm not a fan of shopping so panicked a bit, and the fact that it a) is cotton not a horrible synthetic b) fits nicely (quite snug but flattering) sold it to me.
But I'm feeling its a bit girly/ young for 48 years old me. It's like my face and body don't match! Like one of those toddler card games where you mismatch heads, bodies and legs 😂
Will a blue cardigan age it up enough?

Too old for this dress? Help me accessorise
OP posts:
Original poster
paranoidmumdroid1 · 26/02/2023 17:49

I think it's the expanse of skin - maybe a pendant necklace would help? Not sure I'll want to wear a cardigan really.....

OP posts:
GailTheSnail · 26/02/2023 17:52

I think you'd cover up a nice dress with an unnecessary cardi but im generally of the opinion of dress the way you feel, not what society deems to be your age group. Id prob draw the line at popping on an alice band but would still wear the dress if i felt good in it

Suzi888 · 26/02/2023 17:53

Do you feel good in the dress? I don’t think there’s too much flesh.

MyLittlePonyWellies · 26/02/2023 17:53

I love it! Agree it shows a lot of neck and chest.

Maybe a scarf of some kind? Something light obviously. Is it for an event or just because?

Purplecatshopaholic · 26/02/2023 17:55

I’d wear that and I’m older than you. However if you are not comfortable with the expanse of skin, then maybe it’s not suitable as you want to feel confident to really enjoy yourself. I wouldn’t want to ‘age up’ anything myself, but yes a little cardigan, or jacket, or pashmina would likely work?

MyLittlePonyWellies · 26/02/2023 17:57

Btw me agreeing there's a good bit of skin there isn't to do with age. I'm 39 and wouldn't wear it for that reason, so if you like it and are comfortable you can definitely wear it without without covering it up a bit

ibunofit · 26/02/2023 17:58

But I'm feeling its a bit girly/ young for 48 years old me. It's like my face and body don't match! Like one of those toddler card games where you mismatch heads, bodies and legs 😂*

This made me laugh and laugh in recognition. I’m the same age as you and I feel like this when I am naked and look in the mirror!

ibunofit · 26/02/2023 18:01

Having said that, I think it’s a nice dress and you should wear it. My motto is, show as much flesh as I can now! Before I get properly crepey [Grin

MuddlerInLaw · 26/02/2023 18:02

Think of how Queen Elizabeth might have worn it in middle age - maybe on a foreign trip. Very dark sunglasses, a many stranded pearl and sapphire choker. Possibly a brooch, if there’s room on the bodice.

I’m afraid you really cannot ruin it with a cardigan. If you need an outer layer it must be a light silk/linen coat in the green or the blue - same length as the dress, with the brooch on the shoulder.

You’ll look great!

Netcam · 26/02/2023 18:17

I think it's lovely and fine for your age. Is that LK Bennett? I'm 53 and I would wear it, my only concern would be how to manage the bra straps and whether I would be cold. I got a LK Bennett tea dress for our registry office wedding last October and it was lovely and fitted me better than anything else I tried from a whole number of different shops.

OldSpeclkledHen · 26/02/2023 18:25

It's a nice dress, I'd wear it (47)
Who bloody cares what other people think - just wear the dress 🙂 life is too bloody short

LabradorEyes · 26/02/2023 18:26

I'm 52 and wear dresses like that. Sometimes a casual blazer over them can look nice, but I think a cardigan would ruin your dress

Netcam · 26/02/2023 18:26

How about something like this? I got similar but longer cream wrap from the same seller on Etsy to go with my LK Bennett tea dress for my wedding and it was gorgeous. www.etsy.com/uk/listing/762433615/apple-green-mohair-silk-bolero-bridal

Original poster
paranoidmumdroid1 · 26/02/2023 18:28

It is LK Bennett. It needs a strapless bra but that's fine - it's not a style for those blessed with impressive bosoms, unless they really want to get noticed. I'm A/B cup and it's pretty snug.
Thanks ladies for sharing your thoughts, I'm feeling better about it now. I think I'd feel self-conscious in whatever dress I chose because I'm just not a dress-wearer normally, but somehow a dress feels 'proper' for a wedding.

OP posts:
Original poster
paranoidmumdroid1 · 26/02/2023 18:32

Now I just need to keep out of the sun all summer until the wedding, so I don't get strap marks from vest tops!

@Netcam that's nice, thank you. I'll definitely get something to pop on in case it's cold

OP posts:
Original poster
paranoidmumdroid1 · 26/02/2023 18:39

@ibunofit I'm glad it's not just me. I was in the changing room and so pleased with the dress in the mirror, but I was just looking at the dress itself really, and then looked up and saw my face and I was a bit disappointed!

OP posts:
NatashaDancing · 26/02/2023 18:54

MuddlerInLaw · 26/02/2023 18:02

Think of how Queen Elizabeth might have worn it in middle age - maybe on a foreign trip. Very dark sunglasses, a many stranded pearl and sapphire choker. Possibly a brooch, if there’s room on the bodice.

I’m afraid you really cannot ruin it with a cardigan. If you need an outer layer it must be a light silk/linen coat in the green or the blue - same length as the dress, with the brooch on the shoulder.

You’ll look great!

It's a very pretty dress - agree re the cover up- either the same length or a couple of inches shorter, but no shorter and definitely not longer.

Linen rather than silk?

LadyOfTheCanyon · 26/02/2023 18:57

ibunofit · 26/02/2023 17:58

But I'm feeling its a bit girly/ young for 48 years old me. It's like my face and body don't match! Like one of those toddler card games where you mismatch heads, bodies and legs 😂*

This made me laugh and laugh in recognition. I’m the same age as you and I feel like this when I am naked and look in the mirror!

Made me laugh too!

I think I've got the princess head, the pirate body and possibly the emu legs...

AnaisB · 26/02/2023 19:05

Definitely wear what you want to.

I think I'd associate the dress with a younger age group for the opposite reason as others - Its a ditsyish print tea dress that has a middle-aged vibe, a young person might pull that off - contrasting the middle-aged vibe with there youth. For an older person that contrast wouldn't be there.

(If it makes a difference, I am middle aged.)

Procrastatron · 27/02/2023 07:45

I have a dress that cut and small boobs and I think this is a great neckline for us.
I’m going to go against the flow and suggest a relaxed fit oversized blazer with cropped/rolled cuffs. Maybe in pink but one of the blues from the flowers could work too but won’t be as fun.

MysteryBelle · 08/06/2023 10:12

Go for it. I think it’s fine, I love the dress and yes you’re young enough.

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