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'm.55.id wear it to work but don't think.it suitable for a formal event.

After a quick Look at P8 this one is quite nice
www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-marilyn-puff-sleeve-midi-dress-222201650.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=true&sz=60&start=119&cgid=petite-dresses&isSecondPage=false&pid=222201650&pos=125

I like it ! but completely depends on how you feel : look in it.. I have a feeling that you may have been put off it now 🙂. Law firms are renowned for conservative staid dresses so I think some of the other dresses recommended wouldn’t be suitable

Uh huh …

How old would someone have to be for you to expect them to wear old fashioned clothes?

Thank you for all the feedback, I appreciate it and especially to those who have taken the time to link dress options here.
A few asked why my daughter doesn't like the dress, I think it's the colours. I usually wear solid colours rather than patterns. This one appealed to me as it reminded me of an impressionist painting. I think the colours are a bit more muted in real life than on the model.
I have 3 weeks until the event so I will have a look around the shops at the weekend and if I don't find anything better I will stick with it.
I think I am probably drawn to a more old fashioned silhouette as puff sleeves/tiers etc which I see on a lot of dresses really don't suit me. I am not concerned about being fashionable, I just don't want to stand out in a dress everyone thinks is awful.

How about this? https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/the-cecily-fit-flare-sweetheart-midi-dress-by-maeve?

It’s polyester! 😩

Love the John Lewis and Boden dresses. Also the 2nd Outnet dress. That green would look lovely worn to a wedding as well.

I'm not keen on the OPs original dress and not sure it looks particularly nice on HW either. There's something about those pleats that can look quite 'aggy' and I'd personally avoid polyester.

Whatever you choose, you'll like lovely I'm sure, and enjoy the evening.

Do you work, or have you ever worked, in a law firm?

Whatever my personal view about the various suggestions is - there isn't a single one which to use a favourite MN cliché, would cause anyone "to bat an eye lid" at the intended event.

I love the second outlet dress too. I am concerned about sizing though as it says a size L is a 12. I am a small 12 so feel it might be massive. The m is out of stock.

Do you work in a law firm then? I don’t - I was just going on what some of my friends who do have said 🙂 Until the 2000s it was really frowned upon for women to wear trousers. Hard to believe but true.

I know polyester is not ideal but the phase eight dress does not feel like cheap polyester if you know what I mean so it doesn't bother me with this dress.
I quote like the jolie moi dresses but I have tried this brand in the past and did feel like cheaper polyester to me.
Polyester does not irritate my skin or make me feel hot but the environmental impact does bother me.

Yes. I do. I'm in one in a boring presentation at the moment. I've worked and work in upmarket private client firms since late 1980s and have been a partner for many years.

As for trousers being "frowned" on in 2000s, that is "hard to believe" because it's not true.

I'm thinking about ordering the Boden one in navy bit a little concerned it might be too casual. What shoes could I wear with it? Bear in mind I am useless in high heels.

I also have tried this hobbs one

https://www.marksandspencer.com/radclyffe-round-neck-midi-waisted-dress/p/clp22610486?color=NAVY

The 10 was too small and the 12 is too big so not the most flattering.

Also tried this Ro & Zo but very unflattering on the bust area and sleeves very puffy which did not suit me at all

Have this one in my wardrobe, it's a 10 but with shapewear I think I can get away with it because it's stretchy

sorry you are not enjoying your presentation @IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle what about this then? https://www.thelawyer.com/are-the-ladies-hemmed-in/ Maybe a little earlier than I said but still frowned upon in late 1990s. I remember it as my friends were not allowed to wear trousers! Anyway, I am not precious about it only making conversation really, my only comment is that usually law firms are quite staid, maybe not in London so much (all my information comes from The Split) but certainly in the provinces as lawyers like to call it.

It's not offensive but it's a bit blah. Have you considered something like this? I find this arty look really makes me standout.

The model is young and good looking but it’s a sort of dress a woman in her 70s could wear. You are young and size 12

Blimey! £66.72 reduced from £139 for recycled polyester.

If you are pear shaped, pleats around the skirt area will only emphasise your lower half.

I'm in the "provinces". My recollection is trousers were rare in the early/ mid 1980s but by the 1990s it really was no big deal. That article you're quoting is from 1995. I don't wear trousers now but early 1990s was a period I did- even in the provinces.

Honestly, the dress looks grannyish and the fabric looks cheap and shiny even in the model photo. It looks better on Holly Willoughby, but she could do much better.

The black Silkfred and the navy Boden are both way better.

The second Outnet dress is also 100% polyester. It looks very polyestery in the close up picture of the fabric too.

I’d personally avoid the Outnet, it’s mostly all overpriced shite that they can’t sell.