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Original poster

Am I nuts to have splurged on this?

306 replies

Peppermintcreamz · 01/05/2025 21:32

Have loved this Self Portrait dress for a while and saw it went 25% off today. It was reduced to €390/£335. I have no formal enough occasion coming up this year for it but I’d love to save it for the next wedding or something appropriate. I’m trying to save a bit more at the moment (for nothing specific) so I can cover it if I dip in to those. There was 1 left in my size and I couldn’t resist. If it fits should I keep it? 😅

Am I nuts to have splurged on this?
Am I nuts to have splurged on this?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Tulipsontoast · 01/05/2025 22:20

26!!

Netcam · 01/05/2025 22:26

I can't think of one occasion in my 55 years that I would have worn anything that formal. But if you think you'd find a use for it, why not?

Pollyanna87 · 01/05/2025 22:27

I love it.

LongTimeLurker264 · 01/05/2025 22:30

If you do decide to keep it, you could always rent it out on Hurr or similar sites to make some of your money back. Then it's basically an investment (which is what I mutter to myself when I'm buying ridiculous things)

Greycatclub · 01/05/2025 22:31

It’s giving Melania Trump vibes, I’m not quite sure what occasion it suits!

Pretty colour and looks beautifully made though!

abracadabra1980 · 01/05/2025 22:33

TokyoSushi · 01/05/2025 21:37

Are you in the royal family? If not, send it back! 😃

You quoted my exact thoughts!

DinoLil · 01/05/2025 22:36

If you love it, then that's all that matters.

Personally I think it's very meh. My DM wore something similar when got married the first time in 1992! Also, i think thats crazy money to spend on something very vanilla.

FunMustard · 01/05/2025 22:40

I couldn't see me wearing something like that for another 20 years or so, I'm in my 40s.

But if you like it then crack on. It's your money.

Sweetpea333 · 01/05/2025 22:42

Hideous. Definitely Camilla Parker Bowles. Ffs you're under 70, send it back!

Endofyear · 01/05/2025 22:44

If you love it and it fits and you feel fabulous in it then definitely keep it! It's a classic style, it won't date and you'll be wearing it for years ☺️

Gettingbysomehow · 01/05/2025 22:44

It's too frumpy for me and I'm 63. Sorry.

ItGhoul · 01/05/2025 22:58

This is so, so far from my personal taste that to me it would be a colossal waste of money. There’s nothing about it at all that I like. It’s just not the kind of aesthetic that appeals to me.

However - I’m pretty sure you’d hate all my favourite outfits too, and it really doesn’t matter what I think of the dress because I’m not the one who will be wearing it! If you love it, will have opportunities to wear it and feel great in it, it’s not a waste of money.

Zone2NorthLondon · 01/05/2025 23:02

Peppermintcreamz · 01/05/2025 21:32

Have loved this Self Portrait dress for a while and saw it went 25% off today. It was reduced to €390/£335. I have no formal enough occasion coming up this year for it but I’d love to save it for the next wedding or something appropriate. I’m trying to save a bit more at the moment (for nothing specific) so I can cover it if I dip in to those. There was 1 left in my size and I couldn’t resist. If it fits should I keep it? 😅

Dear god,it is ghastly and frumpy.That is a republican senator dress, for the chastity ball fundraiser

SaulHudsonDavidJones · 01/05/2025 23:06

I see ‘mother of the bride’

pinkdelight · 01/05/2025 23:20

I think it’s an ‘in spite of’ thing. So yes it’s frumpsville for a Camilla, but if you’re 26, slim and radiant you could look great in spite of it, and your beauty would be emphasised because the dress isn’t helping or showing off. It’s saying - yes I can be this frumpsville she’s still attractive! How classy is it!

But for most people, it’s not going to work. I also don’t get the skirt/jacket dress business.

gentlefluiditygold · 01/05/2025 23:29

My nan got something similar from BHS back in the day.

Jollyjoy · 01/05/2025 23:33

Sorry, I agree with others that it looks like an older, very formal outfit. Actually my first thought was it reminding me of an old fashioned midwife outfit or something like that.

Sleepington · 01/05/2025 23:36

pinkdelight · 01/05/2025 23:20

I think it’s an ‘in spite of’ thing. So yes it’s frumpsville for a Camilla, but if you’re 26, slim and radiant you could look great in spite of it, and your beauty would be emphasised because the dress isn’t helping or showing off. It’s saying - yes I can be this frumpsville she’s still attractive! How classy is it!

But for most people, it’s not going to work. I also don’t get the skirt/jacket dress business.

This.

I quite like it. It isn't something I could wear (or have any occasion to wear it) but I can see how it could look beautiful on the right silhouette. I just can't imagine where you'd wear it though.

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 01/05/2025 23:39

Endofyear · 01/05/2025 22:44

If you love it and it fits and you feel fabulous in it then definitely keep it! It's a classic style, it won't date and you'll be wearing it for years ☺️

Edited

It's a classic late 40s, 50s possibly early 60s formal tailored suit. It is suitable for the guests at weddings of royals and similar- or when you're being presented with an OBE.

I quite like it but would like to know if the jacket is a proper, separate jacket or not. Having said I quite like it, it's not my style and it has very limited potential for wearing, unless the 2 pieces can be separated

I don't understand some of the vitriol - I've seen absolute horrors on wedding guest threads, and this isn't remotely in the same league as them.

I really like these 2 suits, which are a similar idea but by being definite suits, are far more wearable.

Baum und Pferdgarten suit
Sister Jane suit

GarlicPile · 01/05/2025 23:53

I find it a little odd. It cheered me to learn it's shiny taffeta But it's polyester taffeta, which I'm sure is high quality but, still - at that price? It's clearly well made, though, and conveys a strong sense of order. Nice colour.

If you try it on and it meets your dreams, buy it and wear it! If you're not being presented to the king any time soon, wear it to Tesco and the coffee shop. No reason why not 😊

GarlicPile · 01/05/2025 23:58

@IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle, I've been ogling that Sister Jane suit for months! I absolutely cannot justify it, sadly. It's got to the point where I'd just be happy to see someone else wearing it 😂

It's not much like OP's ultra-neat dress, though.

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 02/05/2025 00:02

GarlicPile · 01/05/2025 23:58

@IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle, I've been ogling that Sister Jane suit for months! I absolutely cannot justify it, sadly. It's got to the point where I'd just be happy to see someone else wearing it 😂

It's not much like OP's ultra-neat dress, though.

Isn't it lovely? The Baum und Pferdgarten and Sister Jane suits are same ball park but I agree more life to them, less timid.

Sleepington · 02/05/2025 00:07

I absolutely love the jacket of the Sister Jane suit linked but, oh my, that skirt is unforgiving on the hips.

XelaM · 02/05/2025 00:09

It's beautiful and timeless!

selffellatingouroborosofhate · 02/05/2025 00:47

It's a lot nicer than the shapeless sacks from Seasalt that everyone keeps buying. You can see that the model has a waist.