Is this dress nice?

[CluelessStyle]

I bought this dress to go to a formal occasion. I was happy to get something I felt relatively good in but my daughter (16) thinks it's horrible so now I have second thoughts. I usually trust her judgement. What do you think? I am in my 40s, size 12, pear shape.

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/amelia-ditsy-shirt-midi-dress-221466493.html#q=Amelia&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=221466493&pos=4

I think you could probably do better. Something that’s not polyester for starters. What is your usual style? What colours suit you?

Honestly I think it would make you look older, I’m 39 and wouldn’t wear it

It’s not horrible, but it is fairly ordinary. It looks like something you’d wear to a work’s conference - inoffensive and dull. I’m sure at size 12 you could find something really stunning - depending on what the formal event was of course… if it’s a will reading or something ignore me and crack on!

Hmmm : it would be a no from me. I’m 20 years older than you and wouldn’t wear it, it’s rather fussy and the print isn’t suitable for a formal do in my view.

Hell no!

I am a bit lost as I've put on weight recently. I'm a casual dresser so formal dresses are out of my comfort zone. I'm petite so don't suit big prints, also don't suit bold colours.

Meh it’s ok. Not very exciting or age appropriate.

what’s the occasion. What are your criteria eg sleeve length, dress length?

It looks a bit work dress to me. Partly the colour.

What colours do you like?

Never trust a teen girls judgement of your style ime 😂

I personally wouldn’t wear it, but if the colours and fit work on you, then that is really important, so it may actually be a great choice. Is there anyone else you can ask that can see you wearing it?

It's a retirement dinner at a law firm in a fancy hotel.

I'm 50, and I wouldn't wear it, especially to a formal occasion. It looks fairly ordinary and looks like something worn to the office. I think you could find something much better. Ask your daughter to help you find something.

It’s a daytime dress & strangely dated. I like Phase 8 often but not that. Check out Rixo or Me + Em

I wouldn't wear although it's better than most Phase Eight dresses posted on here.

I'm petite OP at 5ft 2, and yes you can wear prints and bold colours, there's no reason why you have to stick to muted colours just because you're petite. I wear both prints and bold colours.

What are you expecting the men to be wearing? Black tie or suits? I'm imagining something quite formal and traditional rather than party-ish and fashion-y, if that makes sense - is that right?

This is also from Phase Eight but a bit more suitable for an evening do IMO.

www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-nita-dress-10007960106.html

I really like it but it does look a bit like workwear rather than occasion. But I suppose it depends what you wear it with

100% agree with this - me too, and I'm bigger than you.

When you say "formal occasion" do you mean men will be wearing black tie? If so, it's a bit under dressed but if men are only in lounge suits, it's formal enough for that.

Damning it with faint praise - it's bland and inoffensive rather the usual over fussy Phase Eight dresses.

frumpy sorry.

That's more of a summer frock to wear to a casual christening.

You need something more cocktail style but fairly 'modest' for want of a better word (no deep cleavage, not tight around the bum, no strapless).

Men in suits, not black tie

I don’t work for a law firm so I wouldn’t know, but to me black tie or cocktail dresses for a retirement dinner would be crazy!! I actually think that dress is a really suitable choice for the do. Most people won’t be dressed up more than that imho.

If it's not black tie, that dress will be fine if that's what you want to wear. There's no need to go "cocktail"- some women might be glitzed up, some won't. And some will be less dressed up than that dress. Been to plenty of similar functions.

Don't wear that terrible white blazer they've paired it with on the website.

I do work in a law firm and I agree with you. A retirement dinner where men are in lounge suits doesn't need "cocktail dress"

In my field people would think it very odd if I glammed up for a retirement dinner. Shame really!