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.

I was going to say that re alterations. Any alteration will be at least £20. OP mentioned shortening it but shortening a scalloped hem dress won't be easy.

Suitable for the occasion I think.

Agree, it’s where I was going with the seperates. I’m surprised she knows she can’t wear a shift dress as if it fits her hips it doesn’t fit any where else, as this is pretty much basically a shift dress, made worse due to the sleeves.

however if budget is really tight and it’s something for 20 odd quid I’d go with it.

I like your dress OP. And it’s very appropriate for the occasion.

I’m happy to spend up to £100 if it doesn’t need altering and if I don’t also need new accessories.

I can see what you are all saying about the fit. I seem to have an awkward body shape. I have tried to draw on the side view to show my weird side profile. Skirts gape at the back if they fit my hips but if they are stretchy they emphasise my belly which usually sticks out far more if I’ve eaten.

I like the style of the 2 girl in mind dresses linked by @IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle but not the patterns. I prefer a smaller pattern or a floral.

Jasper Conran shirt dresses are way over budget when full price but there are some on sale between £68 -£125.

Personally I think the striped shirt dresses at £125 look great and they're quite a bargain. Failing that the Betsy wrap is a smaller pattern than the Girl in Mind.

Jasper Conran sale

Jasper Conran stripe

Jasper Conran Stripe 2

Jasper Conran Betsy

Your shoes would go with the Jasper Conran dresses, particularly the black and white striped one, although Jasper Conran have modelled all 3 striped dresses with highish, black pointy shoes, and they all look fine. They're also all far more versatile dresses than the green lace.

@Confuzzleduzzled

Why does it have to be a skirt or dress? I'm confused by that part

@Princesspollyyy its a religious ceremony so only skirts and dresses allowed for women. I would also have to pin the top of the dress so it shows less cleavage. And tops of arms need to be covered too.

I don’t like the stripey Jasper Conrad’s but the plain ones are chic.

https://www.jasperconran.com/products/blythe-full-skirt-shirt-dress-1

The plain ones aren't in the sale and are twice over budget.

Personally I prefer the black and white striped one over the plain ones. It looks dramatic and well cut. At an event it would catch my eye- the green lace wouldn't.

You don't have a weird body shape op, your figure is lovely! Dresses are made for a standard size 10 back in the day. Every other size is bigger or smaller from that. Imagine a paper dress pattern. It very rarely will be anyones body shape. I did a dressmaking course and it was very eye opening. You had to adjust every pattern to fit

It’s worth investing a bit in a really good dress that you can wear again.

You don’t get much for £100 these days.

OP is only 5’3” and booby - the dress is quite full with a waist sash - I think the stripe as well is too much.

I don’t know if you’re unfashionable or not - but thanks for your views on the dresses posted 🤣 I’m not fashionable - I wear what I like, which maybe explains why my taste does not meet with your approval.

what I really came back to say was if you’re only 5’3” the dress you have is unlikely to be your friend. Unless you are able to take it apart in the middle to reduce the length from waist to hip you’re unlikely to be able to get a good fit on it. Just lopping 3 inches off the bottom doesn’t address the fact that you are shorter all over. You could do that with a maxi (which would not swamp you if you took it up) but not with something fitted like that. I’m 5’1” and change so always have to alter. I’m not a bad seamstress but wouldn’t want to do that dress. Too complicated.

And if you’re short and with a limited clothes budget the best favour you can do yourself is to have a good seamstress or learn to do the basics yourself

@LaurieStrode , which part of It’s for the ceremony of my daughter’s bat mitzvah suggested it was OP's son's bar mitzvah?

@HornungTheHelpful , I liked your dress links apart from the hideous ME+EM one. The ted baker one was great. None of them look like they'd suit OP though.

OP probably needs to look at Petite ranges.

I also like the plain ones, but it’s ten times the amount op paid for hers.

op, honestly as a one off and for 25 quid, I’d just wear it.

Hobbs do nice dresses and have a Petite selection, which might be the right length for you.

Given your need for sleeves and so on, would this work?

https://www.hobbs.com/product/petite-aurora-dress/0124-5213-9045L04-NAVY-MULTI.html#cgid=clothing-petite-dresses&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0124-5213-9045L04-NAVY-MULTI&pos=10

OP’s budget is £100. She doesn’t say how much the original dress is - but you get what you pay for and it doesn’t fit.

Oh really? I didn't know that. I was looking at this website that states dressy trousers are allowed?

lifetheplacetobe.com/what-to-wear-to-a-bar-bat-mitzvah-pt-i/

Phase Eight do petite, I’m the same height as you - I’ll look later

These are both stunning 😍

I like it, I don't think its looks too small from the side. You can get underwear that isn't neccessarily shapewear (commando brand or spanx) that is seamless and slippery to allow fabric to glide over you.

https://www.bombshellhq.com/collections/cocktail-dresses/products/dark-green-velvet-edge-of-the-shoulder-dress

Maybe not this one but would the bombshell dresses suit?
Most seem to be on sale