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!

The Boden dress, hands down. It is beautiful.

Yes to the Boden, no to the rest.

Never comment on these posts but they’ve got to be 2 of the worst outfits I’ve ever seen in my life. Thy would only look good on people who are drop dead gorgeous that could wear a bin bag.

Love the boden Red velvet dress.

Not a fan of animal print. The satin skirt looks ok, but nothing v exciting.

The French navy version of the boden dress also looks great.

Nailed it, lol

I absolutely love the Boden dress but I wouldn't wear it with boots.
All the other stuff is awful.

If you have no bust then avoid the red dress, it will accentuate this.

Love the silver skirt, but be careful if you are short.

I love the silver skirt. If I was slimmer that I am now I'd get loads of wear out of that as you can dress it up and down.

The red dress is lovely. With a small chest it will work, I have a knack for making dresses frumpy with my big boobs.

I don't like either dress, first looks like its made from sofa fabric, second one looks plastic. Skirt is cool, I'd wear it. Might even buy it for myself.

If you really set your heart on either dress, plastic leopard dress might be ok, but its a fine balance - right shoes, make up, etc.

The Boden dress is lovely. The Wyse things are hideous.

Love the silver skirt but their prices are an outrage for pleather!!! You could definitely find that at a much better price point

Have gone off the silver skirt. Didn't realise it was pleather.

I think you can find better.

You're very on trend with the red dress and silver skirt. Red is very much the colour of this winter and silver is everywhere. I think the dress is lovely and if I could afford it I'd love to buy one. The skirt is pretty good and as you're slim I think you could pair it with a black fitted top and you'd look bloody fabulous. Not having much in the boob area is a wonderful thing when it comes to looking good in clothes. I often see things people share here and think "Just no." but your first two are so gorgeous that I insist you buy them, take photos and share them so I can have be both pleased for you and horribly jealous. I'm a short arse too and have recently taken a short dressmaking course. I can now take up garments that are too long and it's changed my life. Only a little bit, but for dramatic purposes, it's changed my LIFE! 🙂

Don’t really like either of the dresses but LOVE the silver skirt, I would style it exactly like the blond model and put a grey Soft jumper with it
let us know what you decide

@Notcontent 1st one is nice but 2nd one is awful tbh!

I really like the leopard print one. It’s different & I like different.

edited to say, I don’t personally like the red boden one.

£160 😮 it’s a nice dress but wow the price
if you are very slim, it would look good on you. These types of dresses look great on slim physiques
it something I would wear to an event or party, though I wouldn’t wear this every day. It’s going to get colder and you will freeze

I wouldn't say the Boden dress is "frumpy" but I would say there's nothing casual about it. I'm in London and if I were to wear it (not my style, so I wouldn't, but...) I certainly wouldn't wear it for going out locally, I'd feel v v overdressed.

Some really ugly clothes in all these links getting posted 😄 and cost loads too!
much nicer clothes out there for under 150

Red dress or silver skirt. I don't like the leopard print dress. Boden really seem to be losing their way. I'd forgotten about Wyse and am looking for something myself. Good shout, thanks!

I think the skirt would swamp you.

The skirt is amazing - I want it in all the colours!

The red dress just screams Mrs Claus to me.

I noticed a short silver pleather skirt in M&S that I thought would be quite rock chick with a black polo and boots.