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Original poster

Do you think this dress is a bit dated to wear to a Christmas party.

53 replies

Christmasss · 10/12/2023 17:52

I’ve had this dress for about five years and was thinking of wearing it to a Christmas party. The party is at a posh hotel and will be a drinks, canapés, dancing type of event.
The party is for a hobby I do, it will be about 2/3 women and last year many wore sequins and other sparkly numbers.
I am five feet one and a size 14 so the skirt is mid thigh on me and shows off the best part of my legs and looks nice (I think) on my curvy hips/bum.
Do you think it looks a bit dated?

Do you think this dress is a bit dated to wear to a Christmas party.
OP posts:
CointreauVersial · 14/12/2023 11:26

I think party/occasionwear is more "classic" than many other forms of clothing, so you can get away with the same items for longer.

Chocolatepeanutbuttercupsandicecream · 14/12/2023 12:03

I think sparkly sequin dresses for Christmas step a little out of the usual rules of dated as so many people have old favourites that come out at this time of year. And especially now less people are buying new for environmental as well as cost of living reasons and are more likely to buy second hand from sites like vinted.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 14/12/2023 12:08

I think it's lovely. I also think Christmas party stuff is an odd category because everyone just digs out their sparkly dresses that they wouldn't wear at other times of year, so looking 100% current doesn't matter. If it fits you well and you look good in it, I think it will be perfect.

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 14/12/2023 12:15

IMHO there is almost a sub-set of clothes for Christmas. Lots of sequins etc that don't see the light at any other time of year. Not screamingly obvious to me that it's a dress, I would probs just think skirt and top. In the interests of saving the planet, and feeling good in it, I would wear it! I would consider new purchases only for wearing much more often, unless it was a very exceptional situation. I wouldn't worry about 'dated', I would just think it's Classic Christmas attire.

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 14/12/2023 12:16

@TheYearOfSmallThings I see we have similar views, cross post!

Precipice · 14/12/2023 12:19

It looks absolutely fine. I was expecting something typically late 80s/early 90s box shoulder shaped or the like.

Pinkandgreytiles · 14/12/2023 12:21

Out of interest, what would someone wear to a Christmas party tomorrow night if you were out buying today?

Whataretheodds · 14/12/2023 12:26

Totally depends on how you style it - tights, footwear, jewellery, hair

LlynTegid · 14/12/2023 12:31

Seems fine to me.

MrsSlocombesCat · 14/12/2023 12:35

I think it’s really nice. Flattering too, I would definitely wear it. Anyway what’s better for the environment? Definitely wearing a dress you already own. That dress doesn’t look dated, imo nothing looks dated these days, anything goes.

Christmassss · 14/12/2023 13:20

So I wore it last night and felt it was perfect for the occasion, at least half the ladies wore sparkles, a couple even had a whole sequin trouser suit! It was a dress to impress dress code and people has fun with it.
I bought the same colour nail varnish and a nice little black sparkly bag from Primark that could be worn on the shoulder or across the body and has a thin silver chain.
I added some diamanté jewellery, curled my hair, drank a couple of glasses of bubbly and danced the night away.
I’ve reinvented last years champagne coloured Sequin tunic/long top (that’s way too big) by adding a wide elastic belt and pouching the top over the belt. I am
going to wear it with my leather skirt (size 12 just saying) for my next Christmas night out at the weekend.
So total spent on Christmas outfits is £10.

OnlyCorrect · 14/12/2023 13:27

Sounds like a fabulous time OP and excellent plans for the next outfit! Glitterball

user1477391263 · 14/12/2023 13:28

Possimpible · 10/12/2023 17:55

Honestly, yes I do. The 2 in 1 dress is more 2010 even than 5 years ago. I think it could look nice with black opaques and chunky boots for a more casual event, but it doesn't sound ideal for the event you're going to

What on earth is a 2 in 1 dress? I wasn't even aware that this was a style with a name, let alone that it was tied to a particular era. I really don't think normal people think about clothes in this kind of way.

Mirrormeback · 14/12/2023 14:50

No because it's ok to wear what might be considered vintage so anything goes these days

FancyBottom · 14/12/2023 14:59

It looks like a pencil skirt with a tucked in bigger top, I think it's fine. You might appreciate a looser fit on the tummy if you're eating and will be photographed a lot.

Possimpible · 14/12/2023 15:07

user1477391263 · 14/12/2023 13:28

What on earth is a 2 in 1 dress? I wasn't even aware that this was a style with a name, let alone that it was tied to a particular era. I really don't think normal people think about clothes in this kind of way.

Show quote history

It's a dress that looks like a top and a skirt in different colours... It's really rude to call me abnormal. Multiple people on this thread have agreed with me (plus others have sent private thanks to the message). I was at uni in 2010 so that's why I can date it so specifically - lots of us wore this style back then.

It's not the sequins that are the problem, it's the neckline and length for a dressy event. People seem to think those of us saying it's dated are saying to throw it away - I'm not, but I'm saying the styling needs updated (e.g. opaques and chunky boots, as I said). I'm glad OP felt good in it, but I wouldn't have worn it to that event 🤷🏻‍♀️

lindyloo57 · 14/12/2023 16:11

Phase eight do a two in one dress, there's usually a sequin number every Christmas

Christmassss · 14/12/2023 16:29

Mine is from Phase Eight.

SirChenjins · 14/12/2023 16:33

I think it’s lovely - very festive! Have a fab time 🍷

TheFormidableMrsC · 14/12/2023 16:56

I'd remove the skirt bit and wear the top with a pair of well cut trousers or a satin bias cut slip skirt. However, I like doing things like that. It's not for everybody!

Christmassss · 14/12/2023 17:04

I'd remove the skirt bit and wear the top with a pair of well cut trousers or a satin bias cut slip skirt. However, I like doing things like that. It's not for everybody!

I am a fellow cutterupper, I have many skirts that started life as dresses and then I suddenly get bored of them. And cut them in half. I hadn’t thought of making tops out of them, that may work with my masses of too big clothes.

Floisme · 16/12/2023 17:32

I thought of this thread a couple of nights ago, op cos I was at a Christmas do and there was a woman there wearing a very similar style of dress but in a different colour. She looked great - it was the perfect outfit for the occasion.

For what it's worth I don't think anyone, including me, looked particularly 'on trend' - just lovely and sparkly and dressed up.

MooFroo · 16/12/2023 17:38

Can you tuck the skirt part into the top or cut it off and wear it as a sequinned top with trousers?

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 16/12/2023 18:49

The OP has had the party, and worn the dress! Posted on the 14th, same name, with an additonal S in Christmas, so it hasn't highlighted as an OP post in a different colour, if that's how you have your settings.

pictoosh · 16/12/2023 19:10

Only fools care about a dress being five years 'out of date' - anyone who would actually notice needs to get a purpose in life.
It's fine, it's a nice dress.