Is this dress frumpy? Please help !!!

[Notcontent]

I have quite a lot of nice clothes for everyday wear but don’t have anything that is particularly “dressy”. Part of the reason is that I don’t really go out much, except to work or the occasional casual dinner, etc. I would like to get a slightly more dressy outfit to wear to e.g. my work Christmas drinks. I am in London so it’s more of a casual vibe anyway.

I am 50, short and very slim. No bust to speak of sadly.

I was looking at this dress, as it’s available in petite and I think the bright red would suit me, but I am just not sure if it’s really me:
https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/elise-velvet-midi-dress-red/sty-d0810-red

maybe could look good with chunky boots?

Alternatively I was looking at the silver faux leather skirt from Wyse but I think that looks better styled more casually with a black top - but it’s an option…
https://www.wyselondon.com/collections/leather-etc/products/lateisha-faux-leather-skirt-silver

this dress is also gorgeous I think but I suspect it would swamp me!
https://www.wyselondon.com/collections/dresses/products/ari-smocked-dress-leopard?variant=40487396999257

I do look a bit like a younger and skinnier version of the older model (who I think is the co-owner of the brand )!

thanks in advance!

@Notcontent how tall are you, actually? People often say they’re short here and turn out to be taller than I am.

I really don’t love the red dress - velvet needs to be cotton to have some structure, so the Boden seems poor value to me.

The actual style of the top looks very old fashioned to me.

@RandomersAssociation short - 157 cm !

The red dress is lovely. I rarely like anything anyone posts in here but I do like that and think it would suit your figure.

The leopard one is too shiny.

An alternative option, @Notcontent, which could be tailored to fit you.

https://cawleystudio.com/ready-to-ship/cord-suit-various-colours

All you’d need is a silk vest and your favourite shoes.

1st dress is lovely but prefer the French navy or green rather than the red.

Or these (so much cooler than a desperately fussy frock):

https://cawleystudio.com/bottoms/may-silk-dupion-trouser-gunmetal

A fluid, silky black shirt could work too.

Like this one:

https://www.wiggykit.com/collections/autumn-winter/products/the-eva-skirt-pewter

@RandomersAssociation those things all look absolutely dreadful on the tall models, they’ll look like clown clothes on someone a little more than 5ft

I love the red dress. I hate the other items, particularly the silver skirt

I'm sorry but I think the red dress is frumpy, particularly the top half of the dress; very old fashioned cut. The leopard dress isn't very nice either.

The skirt's ok, but I don't think it will be great if you're very short tbh. I'd keep looking.

There's something about the length of the red dress that makes it look frumpy. The silver skirt is lovely, don't like the leopard skin dress.

The leopard print dress is dreadful as is the white skirt, As for the Boden dress not overkeen on the red one but the other two colours are very nice.

Love the red velvet dress, no to the the leopard dress, it looks cheap and nasty. The silver skirt is quite nice, but with a different top, maybe a black v neck thin knit?

The boden one is good. The silver skirt ok in style but not colour.
The leopard dress is not my cup of tea and will make you look flat chested, if that bothers you.

The Cawley clothes are not my cup of tea either, and won't suit someone short.

I'm not a Boden fan at all but am now considering the red dress for myself! . Really don't like the others.

https://www.selected.com/en-gb/femme/dresses/satin-wrap-dress-16089006_Orangeade.html?clickedFromCategory=sl-femme-collection-dresses

I recently bought this one and really like it. Not an option?

I only like the red dress, not keen on either of the shiny things (too shiny)

Love the red dress and looks flattering for a small chest. As it comes in a petite size, the measurements should be scaled for your body type so won't swamp you.

I love the red dress!

But also like the first red dress! Very Christmassy. I have no words for the leopard …

Blergh - none of them OP!!

The Boden dress in red or green is beautiful ❤️ I want it!

I don't think the red dress is frumpy but the skirt (or silver p/leather trousers) more fun and versatile - could wear with a silky vest/ shirt, or a chunky knit