Short dresses and boots

[BigDahliaFan]

Seeing this on phase 8 I really like this look but definitely wore it about 15 (?) years ago, I'm 55. Is it current? Not that that would stop me wearing it but I see the phase 8 sniffiness on here...

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/ella-black-chain-swing-dress-222438050.html?xnpetifc=xfQNxDUuOFnZxFsuxIojbjpsafeWaeiWhFWDEfUDEyPLauE1afecqG8chMQS4knl4.zdbD1lbdoZxuodbzTT&utmmsource=exponea&utmcampaign=ukkbau24344saturdayproducttpricepointpreselecteddnew&utmmedium=email

That dress has no redeeming features whatsoever.

I used to like a bit of phase 8 but they’re just a bit “twee”. Their occasion wear is often awful, real crap mog stuff.

it’s very safe, middle aged mum/gran really.

I actually really like the look of this one. www.phase-eight.com/product/martina-swing-mini-dress-222520492.html#q=Mini%20dress&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=222520492&pos=0

The pink one I linked to? Yes it's terrible.

Id love to wear knee high boots but I have big calves and its a pita to find any that fit (by which I mean 'find on Vinted' as I hate paying full price!).

I def on plan on getting my ankle boots and tights out next month. I have a few skirts and dresses that are mini (just a couple of inches above the knee).
But Im just as likely to wear midi or maxi length....Im an equal opportunity skirt wearer!😄

I’m definitely after shorter skirts and dresses (not arse skimming - closer to knee than bum cheeks) combined with knee boots this autumn. Thin flesh tights to start with then thicker black or blue tights.

the midi dresses just seem a bit meh.

Oh and reserving ankle boots for trousers, longer boots with skirts/dresses.

Can I wear this with black trousers and white long sleeve shirt? Pls

Phase 8 is no better or worse than any of the other popular MN brands - M&S, Boden, Seasalt, Toast etc.

I much prefer long boots with short dresses as they look more streamlined than ankle boots which I think cut your legs up unless you’re terribly tall and thin.

I think it’s best to dress for your shape rather than follow trends.

Also Me & Em. Short dresses + long boots.

https://www.meandem.com/dresses/short-dresses

I would worry the overall effect might be train conductor.

That style of dress with boots like that is very much my style. Wore something similar yesterday out for lunch.

I would worry the overall effect might be train conductor.

I didn't think of train conductor but the phrase that popped into my head was "Christmas soldier"! Black white and red can be v. stylish but I think it's those three colours combined with the trousers/shirt/waistcoat that has a uniform vibe.

There’s something about Phase Eight for me. I don’t think they entirely know what they want to be. I think they’d do better focusing on MOB type stuff, quality, well cut occasionwear. There’s a market for that and I think they do it well. But when they try to introduce trend nods - so with this dress, boho - it never seems quite right or authentic. It always looks a bit try too hard in a way I can’t put my finger on. Seasalt, White Stuff, you couldn’t really accuse them of that.

No matter what age, this looks dowdy and boring.

I think ankle boots would be less current than taller ones but still look fine. I like the cut but dislike the print of that dress !!

Personally I think a short swingy dress and tall boots is a bit 'principal boy in a panto'. but I do appreciate that this look might be 'in' at the mo.
I prefer it with short boots, although I'd probably actually go for a straight or A-line silhouette anyway, not flippy/swingy.

Phase Eight has things my DM would wear, maybe not a popular statement but there you go.

I saw a young woman wearing a black dress, knee high boots and tanned legs recently. I saw another woman a few months back dressed in black dress, knee length boots but you could literally see her arse the dress was so short.

I'd certainly wear it with leggings. I don't do tights

Cheery, thank you.

I recently googled ‘black dress knee high boots’ to check it wasn’t a fashion faux pas these days. Pretty much all of the images that came up were arse-grazing dresses with thigh high boots… not quite the look I was thinking of!

There is a world of difference between Toast and the other brands you mention.

The print of the dress is awful, it says “chain” in the description which can look ok but the print looks big and not right to me.

@GenAvocadoOnToast that made me laugh! Honestly there’s a time and a place for these dresses with bare legs and I really didn’t want to see the second woman’s arse and cellulite (I have cellulite) during my working day! There’s an old phrase “I can see what you’ve had for breakfast” (this has been aimed at me in my younger years) which applied here.

Yes Toast is the worst of the lot.

Oh, my aching sides.