Should I I keep this dress? Help me decide!

[pharmachameleon]

I bought this dress online from Me and Em about two weeks ago so I need to decide soon if I should keep it. I can't decide!!! I like it on me-the colours suit me and my chest area is awful (skinny, flat chested and uneven skin tone) so it's good this dress hides that area. But is it frumpy?
I really don't know any more. It's not for anywhere special, maybe wearing on holiday or out for dinner. Tell me straight if I should send it back please!

www.meandem.com/linen-blend-lace-midi-shirt-dress-belt-lilac-red-cream

I don’t think it’s frumpy at all OP, really pretty. Might depend on how you style it, what accessories/sandals etc?

I like it! Looks like it would be flattering on a range of shapes too.

I don’t like it on the model without the belt as I think the belt gives it some shape.

OK thanks. I have high sandals from Sezane that I might wear with it. The dress cost so much I can't afford new shoes 😂

Agree about the belt. Sézane shoes are fab, keep it! (And make sure you wear it lots at that price!)

It's lovely OP! I think it does need the belt but I'd be tempted to swap it for a different one (I'm never keen on tie belts) To me, it's a lot of money on a dress that will just be worn every day but if your budget allows and you like it on then absolutely keep it

Really like the top half, the print, the red stripe, the boldness of the sleeves and cut of the shirt front. Don’t like the fabric mix. Don’t like the ruffle which completely over-complicates the design.

It’s overpriced. (It’s an average price for a decent frock but I would expect something ‘cooler’, more fashion forward and .. louche at this price point.)

Lovely dress and I would buy a buckle for the tie belt and adapt it, rather than have it as a tie.

I saw this in their brochure, I think it's lovely but at £325 you'd have to be certain you like it!

Agreed.
And it's 2/3 shrine viscose

I think it depends if you feel good in it and like the way it makes you feel? I would send it back if I wasn't 100% sure.

These are the sort of things I’d be comparing it to, @pharmachameleon

https://alemais.com/collections/dresses?page=2

https://batsheva.com/en-gb/collections/dresses (scroll past the one-of-a-kind nonsense).

https://cawleystudio.com/dresses-1

https://klements.co.uk/collections/dresses

Or maybe something from Pluto.

(Me & Em is just a bit too ‘nice’! You might also like some of the designers on the Gather & See site.)

I like it, but if you're not sure you should send it back for that money!

I have similar dresses, im small chested 😁..i love this dress. I usually swap belt 😉..i wear tan belt with tan handbag and maybe white lo top converse or high tan boots xxxx

Btw i get mine from TU theres many dresses similar i wouldn't pay that price tbh.

I'd never spend that much on a dress unless I reallllly loved it!

I wouldn't pay that much, however that's just me. I kind of like it but it doesn't wow me. I get a different belt to wear with it as it would look smarter and more pulled together. That length can look frumpy but it depends on your build / body shape.

However my rule is, if I'm not sure when I first have it, I'm unlikely to one day love it. So if it's not needed for a special occasion, I'd return it.

Yes I think you're right @Onelifeonly. I like it but don't love it so I might like it even less as time goes on if I keep it.
@KomproMatilda thanks for the links. I think we have really different tastes! I don't like any of these at all but I get what you're trying to say.
@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads I don't think I mind viscose. The fabric feels lovely-like a thin linen that doesn't crease.

My acid test for any new item of clothing is whether I love it, it makes me feel great and I want to wear it immediately. If 2 weeks later you’re still not sure then send it back.

Oh dear, I think it's really awful, sorry OP.

And the price is equally awful!

@TheGirlattheBack yes I'm not feeling that. Think you're right.
@wandawaves fair enough 😂 don't apologise-we all have different tastes.

I really like it . Not sure I would pay £325 but the print is lovely. It’s a really good lunch/brunch , casual dinner everyday sort of dress

I saw it in Me+Em yesterday. It's a nice dress, but it didn't grab me. Whilst I'm a bit sceptical of the MN comments that "you can get just the same at [insert name of preferred much cheaper brand] " it doesn't look like a £350 dress and you probably could get something very similar for at least £100 less. Anthropologie, Boden or Nobody's Child for example. Or Pink City Prints, or Day Dresses which are at least £100 cheaper

The links which KomproMatilda posted are all dresses which you (general you) won't get anywhere else than from those brands. Klements is in the same price range and Batsheva is at least £100 cheaper. I appreciate you didn't like them but at that price range I'd be looking for something with more oomph, which those dresses have.

Pink City Prints

Day Dress

It's lovely

I think a lot of dresses are very frumpy right now, but that one definitely isn't, it's very nice and if it suits your shape it will look lovely.

Oh , should have been clear - it's not "frumpy" . I hate that word. It doesn't mean anything beyond "I don't like it"

It's a nice dress but personally whilst I have dresses in that price range I wouldn't spend £350 on that one. Everyone has different taste but if I don't immediately think "yeah, love it , must have it" - whatever the price or the item, then I wouldn't buy it.

That "yeah, I want this" is far more important and reliable than whether a random selection of MN posters think it's "frumpy"