Which dress- wedding guest

[EBWhite]

I’ve tried the phase 8 one and it’s very flattering and the colour is right. But it’s polyester. I’ve never bought a polyester dress before and am wondering if / why I should avoid it. It seems an unpopular choice of fabric on mumsnet. The alternative is the Boden one. Which do you prefer?

I would wear the first Me + Em dress ,when new, to the wedding and then wear the hell out of it on any occasion I could wear a pretty dress

Good to know ... but it's not all about you!

There's such a dearth of objectivity on these threads sometimes. I mean yes, opinions are subjective. But there's a world of difference between "I think that neckline doesn't suit you" and "I wouldn't wear that, I'd wear xyz instead."

Sure, the Phase 8 dress would look terrible on some people, including me. But from the pic above, she looks really sweet in it, and that's all she needs to know.

I don't the OP does look good. I don't think it would look good on anyone. The OP asked for preferences. I think the Boden dress is the better of the 2 by far.

I like the Phase 8 one. It's soft and feminine.

Thanks so much zaxxon and all the other lovely posters who spoke kindly. Pale colours wash me out and I know they don’t suit me so the Me and Em one is out. I didn’t ask for a harsh critique and got people to tell me I don’t look good when I have spent ages looking for something that works. It feels like some people have come over from AIBU. Constructive comments still welcome 😊

I think there's a bit of an age thing going on - I am a similar age to the OP and I really like the phase 8 dress, especially the sleeves

But I broadly hate the Me and Em style of dresses so I am clearly out of sync with style and beauty

so I am clearly out of sync with style and beauty

How do you mean, @polinkhausive? Surely limitless numbers of people post on S&B, each expressing their own preferences or doing their best to make suggestions for an OP? I sincerely doubt there is any consensus - there are surely as many opinions as there are posters on any thread. Plus the opinions of all the people reading and not posting!

I put my age on the thread because I'm always curious when people put comments, (eg it looks mumsy or whatever) whether they're are in their 20s. Not that I don't value younger people's opinions but I thought it might be handy for OP to know I'm the same age roughly. Of course, I've got friends the same age as me who are a lot more adventerous in their clothing choices and I'm more on the conservative side so still variation within age groups.

There are a lot of posts on this topic recommending particular brands - Me and Em and Nobody's child are clearly big favourites on here.

And certain brands and styles do attract a lot of criticism for being "frumpy" or "mumsy" like Phase 8

Much prefer the Phase 8 dress

Agreed. My dm would have worn the polyester one.

The Boden one is classier by a mile

Sorry OP , if you like the dress, then wear it.

MN can be odd about polyester.There's polyester and polyester- some has a good feel and weight to it, some hasn't. If you like the feel and drape, then that's good.

I like the phase 8 one!

The Phase 8 one isn't a style that suits me it that I'd usually go for, but I think it looks good on the model and great on you OP. I do like the Boden one but agree it's a bit harder to style for a wedding.

I'm surprised at the comments from @IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle that the Phase 8 one is "almost unwearable for anything other than a wedding" though - I'd have thought that if the wearer liked the dress, and it suited them, then it could be worn for the races/a christening/an evening party/loads of other similar occasions. (I mean, obviously not by you, @IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle!)

Jasper Conran has a good sale on atm.

Just saw you’re a size 10, OP. Show off your lovely figure, that Phase 8 dress swamps you and makes you look bigger.

The Boden one is a hard no from me! Looks like a cheap day dress.

The Phase 8 is much nicer! You have a lovely figure OP!

I’m 62 and think the Phase 8 one looks meh and doesn’t do you justice. This Self Portrait dress is reduced.

Boden one needs a jacket? I don't like the phase 8, it's a bit fussy.

I am older than you (sadly) and agree about the Me+Em dresses, I think they are unflattering even on the models - I must be way out sync with S and B too. I liked the Boden but it needs a jacket for a wedding?

@polinkhausive I agree with you on Me+Em! I'm heavily into fashion and I'm always surprised when I see so many on here raving about it. I find it neither classic nor on trend and overpriced!

Each to their own I suppose!

I agree. The boden one looks neon to me.

Tbh, OP, looking at the picture of you wearing the dress, it looks fine for a wedding. However, I think you would look good in anything provided the colour is right-but you would look fantastic in a dress with more tailoring as it would really show off your figure. And I think if you love something and it works, go for it. I’ve just bought a heavily patterned dress for a wedding-am not a fan of patterns in general but the colours just looked great so I bought it.

It sounds as if you’ve had your colours done, have you thought about going back and getting your style done too? Makes shopping so much easier, knowing exactly what length/ shape/ style suits you best.

OP I love the pink bodes one. You have a gorgeous figure and slim arms so the sleeveless design will really suit you 🩷

The Boden one just looks like a summer dress, and being sleeveless, probably not flattering.
The phase eight dress is far more elegant and suitable for a special occasion.