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

Women are not pieces of meat.

Oh FFS.

Maybe you’d care to time travel back 200 years and explain that to general society?

It’s a historical metaphor about butchers and restaurants passing off mutton as lamb by “dressing” it up with frills and sauces. I was explaining what it originally meant. (I’m a historian, in case you’re interested.)

We now live in 2025, so I can assure you, for avoidance of doubt, that I don’t think women are literally or metaphorically pieces of meat, but thank you for your patronising comment.

@MsWintertowne Much as I applaud the concept of designers using a range of sizes and shapes to model those dresses, I think all of those looks are awful. Not the problem of the models, but of the dresses and styling. The off white one (or is it pale pink?) in particular is dreadful - I've seen more stylish shrouds.

Back to the OP dress - the more I look at it, the more I love the back. On a longer, column skirt it would be stunning, or even on a longer, prom style skirt. I still hate the under arm cut out bits though.

I'm sure no one needed the historical explanation, so no thanks at all for your patronising comments.

It's a disgusting, sexist, ageist and misogynistic comment which serves no purpose whatsoever in the discussion of whether or not a woman should wear a particular item of clothing.

If however you want to complain about being served an unsatisfactory curry, please feel free to use it.

It was clear upthread that people didn’t understand where the phrase had come from or what it originally meant. But good for you reminding us all (I’m presuming all of us on the thread are actually women), that we aren’t pieces of meat. Death by chocolate, etc.!

And the point is that mutton is actually better than lamb for stews and curries!

@Juliagreeneyes

Of course people know where the phrase comes from. They are objecting to it being used in terms of women - not butchers mislabelling their sheep products.

Meat debates aside I wouldn't wear it (48, 5'2") despite buying most of my clothes in the same shops as my teenagers. Cut out details are not classy.

To be honest I felt perhaps unreasonably insulted that a stranger on the Internet assumed that I (amongst innumerable others) wouldn’t be aware of the origin of the phrase and would need to have it carefully explained to me.

But I’ll get over it …

Oh for goodness sake! 5’2” and a size 10 is petite.

Styled like the young model, I think it would look too young for a 50 year old.
Worn with opaque tights and flatties, especially if you are shorter so the dress would look longer, I think it could look lovely.

Are your arms good? It's just that at the front the dress is cut away in the arms...that's what I think would make this dress look wrong on an older woman.

is this for a specific event op? if so, what kind of event?

I wouldn't be offended I am a realist and you need a bit of humour in life. I try to steer clear from people who are too stuffy. The dress looks lovely and it sounds as if you work out regularly on the farm. You'll have a lovely figure to fit in the dress. Tbh with you I think the dress looks mature for the model. I imagine someone who looks mature and they are over their 30's could pull off a dress like that.

sheep farmer my ass

you posted last night **

User8971 · Yesterday 19:32

Trained in a niche profession, set up my own consultancy, created my own way of delivering something a lot of people wanted at a fair price, worked 60-80 hours a week for 20 years....

Yes to this. Absolutely insane to see size 10 as too 'big' for anything.

It’s a very teenage style, fussy and frou frou.
I just can’t imagine this on anyone over 20, it would be a bit “Baby Jane”, if you know what I mean.

@redstroll I don't know a single farm where no adult works in another job - what are you on about?
How many sheep farmers do you know?

Massively varied views - interesting - I suspect this would be reflected in any large mixed group. Its really interesting how differently people think.
Sea clothes don't photograph very well imo - it is the quality of the fabric and craftmanship that make them special.
Thanks everyone :)

is there an event you’re planning on wearing it to?

and managing to balance being a sheep farmer with 80 hour weeks building a niche consultancy firm

can’t be many of them around 😆

it’s a £200 dress…. i don’t think there’s going to be a huge amount of fabric quality and “craftsmanship”

I know many who work full time on the farm with no outside work.

Wear it if you don't give a fig what other people think, but the fact that you asked on MN means you probably do.
To answer your question: Yes, it is too young for your age unless you actually look 20 (shape, skin, hair etc).

It's fab! Wear it!

Looks quite dated, a style that was popular c2010s? Skater dress and frills. That might age it alone!

I expect her husband does most of the farming - how do I know, well I grew up on a farm.

I'd look like fucking mutton in the dress OP. It is not going to suit my 50 year old pasty skin, scrawny body and non gorgeous face. But if you're slim, traditionally beautiful, tanned and well proportioned then it might well look amazing on you.