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

236 replies

User8971 · 14/01/2025 21:38

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

Drea Mini Dress

The Drea embroidered mini dress features embroidered detailing throughout, flutter sleeves, sheer accents, scalloped hemline and mini silhouette. Details: self-100% cotton lining-100% cotton combo-100% nylon embroidery-100% polyester lace-100% cotton i...

https://sea-ny.com/products/drea-mini-dress

OP posts:
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TooManyChristmasCards · 15/01/2025 13:02

itsstillmehere · 15/01/2025 12:16

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.

Respectfully, that makes absolutely no sense.

On which planet is 50 "old" for a start 😂(unless you are 18 yourself, and anyone above 35 is ancient)

Mirabella7 · 15/01/2025 13:02

Well I’m 60 for what’s worth and I don’t see why you can’t wear it, especially given your height and that you don’t particularly need a bra. I imagine you as petite, a kind of Sarah Hadland ( Miranda and Strictly) kind of person and as you say it wouldn’t be so short on you. If you like it, go for it. Ignore any self styled fashion police!😂

Bigcat25 · 15/01/2025 13:50

If it fits you and suits you in real life go for it. It got the seal of approval from your kids, I would take their opinion more seriously than comments here bc they've seen it on you in person. Sounds like you pull it off really well!

Bignanna · 15/01/2025 14:14

Don’t like the phrase mutton…..etc but it fits this dress!

flyingfar · 15/01/2025 14:23

It’s awful. Sorry.

bunnybunnybunnybunny · 15/01/2025 14:26

It's absolutely fine.

Also, 50 isn't mutton, nor old.

BarneyRonson · 15/01/2025 14:34

Ooh no. It’s twee. Don’t like at all.

ThoroughlyModernNotMillie · 15/01/2025 14:35

TooManyChristmasCards · 15/01/2025 12:00

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.

Of course there are certain clothes that are best worn by young women! You can buy them and wear them at any age, but if you're older you'll likely look ridiculous. You may not care about that and that's absolutely fine, but clearly the OP does care what people think otherwise she wouldn't have posted on here.

ThoroughlyModernNotMillie · 15/01/2025 14:38

TooManyChristmasCards · 15/01/2025 13:02

Respectfully, that makes absolutely no sense.

On which planet is 50 "old" for a start 😂(unless you are 18 yourself, and anyone above 35 is ancient)

50 is middle aged, there's absolutely no denying that. It isn't old but it's definitely older. ( I'm 60). I became a grandma at 50.

bunnybunnybunnybunny · 15/01/2025 14:45

ThoroughlyModernNotMillie · 15/01/2025 14:38

50 is middle aged, there's absolutely no denying that. It isn't old but it's definitely older. ( I'm 60). I became a grandma at 50.

My mum died at 50. It's very much still young 🤷🏻‍♀️

User8971 · 15/01/2025 14:55

RaspberryBeretxx · 15/01/2025 08:24

I’m 45 and think it’s lovely and I’d wear it. I’m just not sure where I’d wear it to! That’s my problem with getting older, not that I want to dress differently but that I dont go to the places that need anything very dressy!

This is it! I dress however I please when out with DC and DH but something this dear needs to be a party/function dress and that is what concerns me re others views!

OP posts:
User8971 · 15/01/2025 14:58

@Mencia Netaporter for this one - I love the brand very much and usually buy on ebay :)

OP posts:
ThoroughlyModernNotMillie · 15/01/2025 15:08

bunnybunnybunnybunny · 15/01/2025 14:45

My mum died at 50. It's very much still young 🤷🏻‍♀️

It's far far too young to die, and I'm very sorry you had to experience that, but it's still "older" in the general scheme of things.

PiggyPigalle · 15/01/2025 15:15

Love it, very Demi Moore and she is 62. Besides, it's not the age but the shape of the person, plus you have the blessing of the fiercest critic, your daughter. Now find somewhere to wear it!

As for your original title, I don't think sheep would be offended in the slightest. Any more than "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing".

Betchyaby · 15/01/2025 15:29

JLo is 55 and still smoking. If you look great for your age you could pull it off.

Personally, I don't like the dress in itself. It's all a bit too busy with the frills, large floppy shouldered sleeves, short skater style, lace and cut outs.

janeavrilavril · 15/01/2025 15:40

MsWintertowne · 14/01/2025 23:10

One of my favourite designers makes a point of showing her floaty, flouncy dresses on a range of models - and there’s very much an understanding that they’re for anybody, to make anybody feel fantastic.

My feeling is that the only criterion for choosing clothes is Do I like how I look and feel in this?

Photos from Cecilie Bahnsen website.

Edited

Hideous, absolutely hideous.

TooManyChristmasCards · 15/01/2025 15:50

ThoroughlyModernNotMillie · 15/01/2025 14:35

Of course there are certain clothes that are best worn by young women! You can buy them and wear them at any age, but if you're older you'll likely look ridiculous. You may not care about that and that's absolutely fine, but clearly the OP does care what people think otherwise she wouldn't have posted on here.

Please give me an example of what you consider "young" and ridiculous on a 40 year old woman let's say?

Because I can't disagree more, age means NOTHING.

pippy1958 · 15/01/2025 15:52

I hate people saying a dress is too young or whatever. Wear what you like and if your DC agree - my daughter is the one person I listen too - I'm sure you look lovely in it. I am nearly 60 and if I was size 10, I would wear it!

User8971 · 15/01/2025 15:52

Mirabella7 · 15/01/2025 13:02

Well I’m 60 for what’s worth and I don’t see why you can’t wear it, especially given your height and that you don’t particularly need a bra. I imagine you as petite, a kind of Sarah Hadland ( Miranda and Strictly) kind of person and as you say it wouldn’t be so short on you. If you like it, go for it. Ignore any self styled fashion police!😂

fucking hell @Mirabella7 I have never heard of her before but you are on the nose there - she has better muscle tone but aging and colouring wise we are v similar 😂

OP posts:
BobbyBiscuits · 15/01/2025 16:03

It's quite lovely. I'd say you'd need to be pretty slim for it to be flattering. It's not for me personally but I can imagine it looking nice on somebody else.

User8971 · 15/01/2025 16:11

@MsWintertowne I LOVE her too! I am obsessed with her fang dress and will never own it as to damn expensive and only size 6 or 14s ever come on Ebay.

https://www.yoox.com/us/15314392DI/item#cod10=15314392DI&sizeId=-1

Sigh

OP posts:
notacooldad · 15/01/2025 16:23

I like it, but not for me. I'm too fat.
The only thing I would be bothered about is that it does accept returns so if it doesn't look fabulous on you or the fit isn't right you are stuck with it.

Mencia · 15/01/2025 16:50

notacooldad · 15/01/2025 16:23

I like it, but not for me. I'm too fat.
The only thing I would be bothered about is that it does accept returns so if it doesn't look fabulous on you or the fit isn't right you are stuck with it.

OP bought it from net a porter so can be returned

MsWintertowne · 15/01/2025 17:01

Grin Good to hear she has some other fans, @User8971.

The dresses I showed aren’t amongst my own favourites, I was just illustrating the point about flouncy dresses being for anyone who wants to wear them.

I’m always interested to see any Sea clothes on N-a-P but they’re mostly not my style. I’d like the one you picked if it were a different shape, not waisted, and as Castle suggested, without quite so much embellishment.

LlynTegid · 15/01/2025 17:20

Personal opinion is that I don't like it, would think the same of a 20 year old wearing it. Age not the issue.

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