Should I buy this dress?

[MissyB1]

I would get it in the red I think, and wear with black tights and black ankle boots or kitten heels. I'm 56, 5ft 3 and slim (size 8-10), and looking for an autumn / witner dress for nights out or lunches out with friends. A night out for me is couple of drinks at a gin bar, followed by a restaurant. I can't wear low cut (including most V neck) dresses because of breast cancer surgery.

One of my concerns is the material. it looks quite thick? Great for witner in theory, but in some bars and restaurents it can be quite warm, on the other hand short sleeves in winter doesnt work.

Amyway, what do you think of it, and is it worth the money? although I have a 15% off code

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/ellen-ottoman-dress-salsa/sty-d1068-red

In fact a lot of them are posing so oddly, what are M&S thinking.

Glad you went for something else.

I was more worried by the colour, I think it would always look a bit Christmasy in November and December and then redundant in January.

Second dress is much cooler! Good choice!

I know, impossible to tell how it would look on someone standing normally 😂 will have to see when I get it.

Much prefer the black and white dress

I like the red one. It is also quite "demure" which is a thing these days according to tik tok or so I'm told

It's very high necked but if you don't mind that then go for it.

You see high necked is good for me, I'm very scrawny in that area. Also I tend to have a permanently cold neck in winter - probably due to scrawniness!

Ditch the kitten heels, chunky ankle boots with the M&S dress

Dress looks great, classy and exactly what I would wear and how I would wear it (for exactly the same reasons you describe). I am going to order the dress now, hope you do as well ❤️‍🩹.

Yes definitely boots with that dress, I've got. Black biker jacket that would go with it too I think.

OP, why can't you wear v-necked tops? I've also had breast cancer, have huge scars on my chest thanks to a double mastectomy with no reconstruction, and have a radiotherapy tattoo in the middle of my sternum (as well as either side of my rib cage). II frequently wear low cut tops/unbuttoned blouses and make no effort to cover my scars. I don't think anyone has ever asked about them or so much as commented/starred. Additionally, a friend of mine has a vertical scar up her chest from heart surgery she had as a child, and also wears things that don't conceal it. I really wish you would try not let your scars police what you wear.

Anyway, wishing you well for your continued recovery/good health

As for the dress, it's a great all rounder. However, polyester is sweaty, so for me, I wouldn't buy it for that reason alone.

Edited to add that I see you bought a different dress! I like this too but again, would have to discount due to fabric.

@doublec it’s not scars that put me off low necks, it’s more that I am scrawny and bony in that area due to loss of chest fat as well as my breast. So a lot of v cut or low cut clothes just don’t fit properly, they slip down my shoulders or gape open. If I go a size smaller I risk the rest of the garment being too tight.

I used to wear a lot of Boden but the quality on a lot of their women’s wear, just isn’t there. Before you know it, the hem will be half falling down 🙄

Ahh, that makes sense. I am scrawny too! I have a very narrow back and a big cup. Before BC, always had to alter my clothes to fit, so I do totally understand where you're coming from.

It is frumpy (like everything in Boden) and there is too much polyester, which will make you sweat and will bobble after a few washes. Look at Cos & Arket for better quality dresses in the first instance, but there are many other brands to choose from besides Boden that will offer a better combination of quality for the price. If in doubt and on a budget, look at 'new with or without tags' on vinted and ask for fabric composition labels

I like the M&S dress. The Boden one reminds me of dresses that were popular in the early 80s - I had one in red back then. I used to wear it with leg-warmers and ankle socks, going for as many clashing colours as I could. I literally have no idea why I thought that was a good look.

I think it’s really elegant and will suit your slim figure, and I love the colour. You can dress up or down.
The length is my only reservation - looks too long to be mini and a bit short to be midi, but maybe the model is very tall

Very much a retro late 1960s vibe! Used to wear one just like it but shorter. Go for it.

Yes, looks versatile. I'd get it in the red, and evening blue.

How old is the OP?

Read the opening post - it's there.

I read it about 17 times and couldnt see it !

then finally spotted it.... I'm 56, 5ft 3

I thought it was a trick question 😁

It looks frumpy the way they've styled it here but picked up a couple of these years back in the sales, and they've stood the test of time (6-7 years at least). Decent quality despite the polyester and really flattering if you have curves... perfect for work but probably wouldn't wear it in outside of work