Is this dress style too young? *Title edited by MNHQ*

[User8971]

I bought this and love it but I'm having doubts - I am 50 - is this mutton dressed as lamb territory?
I am size 10 and 5'2" so it is almost knee length on me, fits very well but but but....
https://sea-ny.com/products/drea-mini-dress

It's just unfortunate that these women look absolutely miserable

It's a nice dress. I have a neat and fit figure, and technically I could wear it. However the older I get the more I ascribe to trying to keep things classy (not always succeeding!). I think the question is more whether you'd look and feel classy in that dress. I'm a few years older than you, tho still in my fifties, and wouldn't feel that was a classy outfit.
And classy doesnt have to equal boring!

I suspect it's less about being too young/old for the dress or having a slender petite figure and more about the fact that it's probably one of those instant love or hate items. If it's the sort of dress you wouldn't have worn at 20 then you aren't going to give a positive answer.

As to "wear whatever you want", really that depends whether you like to be noticed or prefer to keep a low profile. I still can't help thinking this might end up being one of those things you wear once and end up regretting because you felt self conscious and awkward all evening...

In my mid forties now I've decided this type of material just makes you look frumpy. Something structured and more chic seems to be the way to go.

Even if you are fairly flat chested, unless you've had work done, I think a good bra is essential by this age.

Although if you've had sign off by the kids it may work. I'm just judging by my own figure which is still fairly slim but I tend to look frumpy in things now everything is going south.

I find 'mutton dresssed as lamb' quite apposite. I am over 70 and understand that phrase very well. I am a second wave feminist but I don't find the phrase especially offensive (though perfectly aware it's a put-down) - it's an accurate description based on the passing of wethers (year old castrated sheep) off as spring lamb. I'd say (from the lofty height of 74 years and tactless with it) that dress would look silly on anyone over the age of c.24. And I wear what I like btw. Happy to illustrate if asked.

The back is great. I love dresses that button down the back. The front is good too, but it doesn't need both.

Beautiful dress OP. Sounds like you have the figure and your DC's would definitely tell you otherwise if they thought you shouldn't wear it. I would and my DC's are very vocal if they dislike my clothes. I have a similar dress and always get compliments in it. Who cares if you are 50. All that matters is, how you feel.

I'm your age. I wouldn't wear it. That's a young person's dress

For me it's the sleeves that ruin it. Too fussy.

I loathe the term mutton dressed as lamb. It's not something I'd wear but if you're happy in it go for it

Exactly this. I'd imagine very few women, including actual models could pull this off and look good.

I said the dress is cute, not the woman, and I stand by my description. When you typed that unsolicited language-policing reply to me, I hope it gave you whatever desired psychological or physiological effect you intended.

Im 36 I'd wear it if I had the figure, I think it looks sexy in a classy way.

Lots of celebrities who are 50+ would look lovely in this.

pp mentioned Tess Daly, Kate Beckinsale is 51 and would rock this, Sandra Bullock is 60. Halle Berry is 57 in this pic!

personally I would wear it with tights and heels rather than bare leg to balance the skin in the top.

Or Helena Bonham Carter would rock it at 58 with the sleeves cut off, ripped tights and Doc Martens. I think if it was the only dress option you gave me I'd do it like this. I'm 60, 8 stone, size 10.

It wouldn’t be my choice, I think it looks too young and playful.
However if you feel good in it and your children agree then go ahead and enjoy it

I think if you are short and slim the dress would look fine. It depends on your overall style and whether this is the type of thing you would normally wear as otherwise you are likely to feel self conscious if you aren't sure about it. Definitely needs wearing with flat/low heels though.

I think the price is extremely expensive though for something you aren't sure about and may end up only wearing a couple of times.

36 is very different to 50. I happily wore similar stuff when I was 36 without a second thought, and I looked good. I'm slim, petite and young looking for my age but even so I realised somewhere in my mid forties that I was going to end up looking like an ageing Madonna if I wasn't careful! I'm the same age as her by the way.

Heels look really dated nowadays

Apart from that, unless you are wearing a baby suit, nothing is age-appropriate or inappropriate for an adult!

What matters is the style, the fit and how you feel wearing it.

There's no such thing as "young women dresses"! Your body shape matters, shoes and hair style too possibly, but your age? Not one bit.

im in my early 20s and actually find this quite a mature style! definitely in the minority here, but regardless agree you should wear what you want and feel comfortable in

It would need a glam setting, with all others similar IMO. Opaques would unbalance with the delicate lacey areas. Medium dark all sheer tights.

I think if you like it and feel good in your skin when it's on you should wear it. Fashion rules are for breaking. I love seeing someone work something bold with conviction, whether it's my taste or not.

This is one of these dresses which technically anyone could wear but there are outfits which serve only to contrast and emphasise against the older face carrying it and this is one.

I’d get it if it wasn’t sold out……..I’d probably dress it down with a joddy boot in summer…….i like it ☺️

why would it need a glam setting? It just depends how you style it.

I'd wear that on a normal day.