Is this dress to awful? Or is it the shoes they styled it with?

[jasminegamine]

I ordered to try on and plan to wear with black tights and black ankle boots in February and with bare legs and silver shoes in the warmer months.
Hope I will like it.

Do you like it?
How would you style it?

I'm 46 - 5'5 - size 8/10

Floral Purple Crinkle Midi Dress - Oliver Bonas

I really like it, the trainers with it look awful though. I would wear it with boots, but I wear boots all year

Hmm, not for me. I like the print, but the style is shapeless, I don’t like that neckline, and generally not a flattering length, and it’s polyester so a big no for me from the start. Sorry op. If I was going to style it, I would try it with knee boots, which would work with the length best I think.

I quite like it BUT it is 100% polyester so wouldn't buy it for that reason.

The colour and pattern aren't great and it's recycled polyester.
I wouldn't wear it.

It's a lot of money for a polyester dress. I wouldn't wear it. I'd rather buy cheap and cheerful polyester from Popsy if that was my thing.

It's actually quite difficult to look at, it's just so busy.

I wore something similar in 1979 which may or may not be a good thing.

It's nice but not knock out and I love a floral dress. If you're after a nice dress and have £80 to spend check out: SilkFred, Nobody's Child or Traffic People. These are my go to shops online, never disappointed.

100% polyester is an immediate no.

Much as I loved the floral dress with trainers trend, I accept it’s as very much over as skinnies.

I don’t think a midi length works on anyone and the trainers look wrong. White trainers were better.

I agree that the midi dress is on its way out now, and especially in floral print. I don’t like this particular example of one, but I don’t agree with posters who claim it looks like their granny would wear it - have they somehow missed the floral dress trend from the past five years?

It's so weird that this dress is coming in for mad amounts of flak. I mean, it's not amazing but it's not truly offensive either. It's just meh, but I think it's that it's meh in every way - cut, colour, material, length, pattern - that is making people judge is really harshly.

Sorry OP!

It is just very boring in my humble opinion. It doesn’t even look that great on the beautiful models. I don’t mind the trainers. It might be an easy wear for work but I wouldn’t wear it anyway else.

Im a devotee of the midi dress, and I think this one is just about okay, but not great:

-it’s polyester
-it’s crinkly (great if you are a cool Issey Miyake wearing type, otherwise to be approached with extreme caution, especially with pattern + trad dress shape)
-the colours are on the garish side

the styling is poor as well. I do wear dresses with trainers and always have, but there has to be some kind of visual blending/vibe going on to look decent.

I'm older than you but wouldn't wear it, the neckline seems a bit frumpy and would not suit me

It's an ok dress, no it's not too awful, and might look great on you, but really nothing special for £78

I really like it and it's very much my style so trying not to be too offended by this thread! I really like Oliver Bonas (though do think it's a bit overpriced for the fabrics so tend to buy off vinted) and while - very clearly! - it isn't for everyone, I really suit high necks and flowy shapes. I always get a lot of compliments on this kind of print, too. If you like it then go for it!

I think it's fine. It wouldn't suit me at all, but my tall, slender DD can carry off that look, and OP probably can too. Personally I can't tell the difference between an expensive version of that kind of dress and the kind you might pick up in a supermarket.
Hate the shoes they've styled it with.

Sorry it's a no from me too, horrible polyester and print as well as polyester, I don't think Oliver Bonas clothes are very stylish overall.

It's frumpy and the trainers make it even frumpier. Even on that model.

Get yourself on vinted, there are loads of these type of dresses on there for a quarter of the price!

i love it. winter wear it with a plain (black) tank top?or oversize jersey sweater (as modelled) -tho i wouldnt chose that one.
summer- well the trainers actual dont mess it up any.and the cuff sleeves look like they could push up n make sorta puff sleeve effect..its very wash n wear too...silver sandals...kinda threw me but i guess would depend on style of em?
id think the orange would be do-able with barelegs..especially if have a high heel. is. i think even sorta standard brown leather sandals and big bag would keep it sweet.i wouldnt really accesorize alot past that it doesnt need much "dressing".i like it

It looks like everything that my grandmother wore, and I suspect that she modelled her wardrobe on Thatcher's. So it's a big fat 'FUCK, no' from me.

I know. It's not a great dress but I don't think it deserves this level of criticism.

I'm surprised by the "eugh it's polyester" replies too. There was not that long ago a truly horrendous (to my eyes) dipped hem, frilly wrap over , pure polyester dress from a brand like Jolie Moi/ Silk Fred which kept appearing on wedding guest threads to universal approval.

I don't even give a shit about polyester @IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle

In fact I don't think I've ever looked at the label to check the material of an item in my life.

Just curious about all of you to mentioned the neckline.
What do you wear instead?
I don’t suit V necks and I don’t do cleavage. This kind of neckline looks good on me. And I don’t wear dresses / skirts that are too short or to long either.

I’m not sure the colours will suit my skin colour

This. It could be semi-rescued by taking up the hem to mini length, so you'd keep the nice colours and pattern (IMO) but reduce the matronliness. That's only worth it if you're paying 90s charity shop prices though! Hard to believe that all the saggy polyester sack dresses you see on here are the best people with decent budgets can find these days. Sorry OP.