Opinions on this dress please

[Confuzzleduzzled]

It’s for the ceremony of my daughter’s bat mitzvah so similar to mother of the bride but 10-20 years younger! I’ll get it shortened and possibly change the shoes.
The photos are bad because I have no idea how to pose for selfies.

Yes, sorry to say it looks like a 1980s reject.

A simple 3/4 sleeve shift dress in a dark colour would suit you better. Statement jewelry.

As to "drab," better understated elegance than "look at meeee!" garishness.

It's her son's bar mitzvah, not a pantomime!

It doesn't sit over the stomach very well- which is to do with the dress, not your figure. Also think the sleeves look too fussy.

@LaurieStrode 😂😂😂

I love that you have an hourglass figure and could wear all sorts of different styles that flatter your shape. You could do a lot better than this tbh. Unfortunately I wouldn't consider it a good choice for Mother of the Bride and definitely not someone under 60! Although I know plenty of stylish women over 60 who wouldn't be seen dead in this. I am sure you can find plenty of modest options that are 100% better.

'Never wear green dresses' is my rule - I have worn them before to important events and regretted it.

These would suit you better:

https://www.debenhams.com/product/goddiva-pleated-shoulder-high-neck-midi_p-32a96d8a-2591-4ef4-956b-fad0c93c88c9?colour=Navy&size=14&istCompanyId=76f7277d-6e78-4dc2-aaff-1eb77fae16b0&istFeedId=258a4886-8f3c-47ef-9369-d1eda8d84501&istItemId=rmltiipma&istBid=t&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA1rSsBhDHARIsANB4EJY2_m5zoZjjhXNUs90FwW2UJBYrBsOAWNCdXkL0qnRZsRaRfU34fNcaAmEgEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.bettylicious.co.uk/products/french-elegant-long-sleeve-evening-gown-gold-velvet-dress

I am not sure she does, I think she’s pear shaped, or the dress makes her look pear shaped , like her shoulders are narrower than her hips. If she’s hour glass, then the dress is even worse.

I can’t wear shift dresses. If they fit my hips then they are too big everywhere else. Also they are really boring and remind me of bank teller uniforms!
I usually wear wrap dresses as they fit my hips and boobs and the drape hides my stomach but they are a bit underwhelming for a bat mitzvah.

How dressy / glitzy is it as an event?

Would any of these work?

It’s dressy but not sparkly/sequinny evening wear. So like a winter daytime wedding.

What about these?

www.theprettydresscompany.com/sale-c16/the-pretty-dress-company-myla-midi-dress-p610

www.theprettydresscompany.com/clothing-c1/dresses-c2/the-pretty-dress-company-hepburn-swing-dress-p282

www.theprettydresscompany.com/clothing-c1/dresses-c2/the-pretty-dress-company-leyla-midi-dress-p452

I like the dress you have but agree that it has fit problems. I'd keep the original length, get the bust altered to fit properly and wear Spanx.

@Christmassss those next ones are fine. They’re the sort of thing I would normally wear.

It’s rhe same issue you’re having with this dress though, it’s too tight on the hips and too big on top. And the sleeve style is highlighting it, the same with the material pulling on your hips.

Dress for your shape.

I have this skirt, in three different colours actually. But something like this will smooth over your hips.

https://www.ghost.co.uk/luna-thyme-satin-slip-skirt-s05g002a-j96

with a gorgeous wool or cashmere ballet top or jumper , all together will balance you out.

Beautiful beautiful colour but with your lovely figure I think you could improve on the style.

It doesn't fit you properly - it's a dress thing, not a you thing - your figure is lovely.

If you have the time and money go for something different. This is a square hole, round peg situation!

Why not look at stretchy fabrics OP?

If your hips are wider than your bust, then something has to give!

You've actually chosen a type of shift dress which isn't fitting you anywhere- too loose on top, too tight on your hips (it's pulling across them and your bum.)

What you need is a neat, maybe stretchy bodice, a cinched in waist, and a fuller skirt. Either jersey or ponte fabric.

Like the style of the Harlie Knitted dress from Hobbs.

Or some of the V-neck styles people posted.

Sadly, that dress makes you like look someone who is a 12-14 up top, wearing a size 16, but squeezing into a too-small skirt.

This is my critique of the dress and how it fits you:

The V in the V-neck is too low. Makes your decolettage look a bit skinny.
Sleeves are too wide and too long and seem to make you look wider and drag the eye downwards.
The skirt seems to not flow over your hips.
The lace is not good.

I'd get a narrower sleeve, higher v- neck. Something with more drape and a top that follows your form without being tight or body-con.

The Next ones are good. The Debenhams one is competely wrong.

What about a skirt and top?

The V is too low. I assume this is the dress? The top looks ok on the model and the V isn't sitting as low on her.

But the skirt doesn't sit properly on the model either. It seems to be pulling and rucking at the front. I don't like the back zip either. Tbh, other than the colour, which is lovely, there's nothing I like about this dress.
Dress on model

@hopeishere , that's a good suggestion. The 'co-ord' looks like a dress but the fit might work better.

The dress the model is wearing has the shoulders of the dress sitting more neatly on her shoulders, and the sleeves don't dip as a result.
Also the skirt looks like a pencil skirt on the model.

OP would look better in a more fit'n'flare style IMO

If the dress is from that Girl in Mind site I think these are much nicer. They can be sized to fit top half and the flared skirt will sit well over hips.

Alternative 1
Alternative 2

I wouldn't bother getting a dress altered if it cost that little.

If you are on a tight budget go to the charity shops and get something of a good quality and get it altered to fit.
Some of the high street shops are fab for dresses that are fine for one off party occasions. New Look and George would be worth a look. Their stock probably varies depending on the location.