Am I nuts to have splurged on this?

[Peppermintcreamz]

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? 😅

As you can afford it and like it then keep it if it fits.

No, because you can't afford it and you have no reason to wear it. Savings aren't for stuff you don't need. You can only spend money once.

Ride the urge to buy out and I guarantee it will go away.

I never said it was terrifyingly exclusive. I don’t think it is at all. I didn’t even refer to the price. It’s irrelevant. It just looks very very formal. More than formal in fact - regal. There is nothing wrong with formal, at a formal occasion. If the wedding is a high society event with aristocratic guests then she’s nailed it.

If she is going for a whiff of wit and irony then, yeah go for it. Let’s hope other guests pick up on that vibe and don’t start curtseying.

I think it gives off a whiff of Kensington Palace and Posh Granny-of-the-bride.

It’s like anything, if OP has the confidence to wear it and can just own it, then great. If she thinks she might feel a bit of a twat dressed up like Princess Margaret when everyone is dancing to Lady Gaga at the end of the night then don’t.

I have found that when I’d get desperate to buy something in particular and then do, once I’ve got it I no longer care if I have it or not. It would get returned and I’d never think about it again. My spending habits have changed now though and I don’t buy very much at all.

I have clothes in my wardrobe that I had nowhere in mind to wear when I bought them and year’s later they're still there, unworn and now I’m too chubby to ever get in them. At some point I’ll put them on Vinted.

Very “Norland Nanny”

Where to??

Hahah, I was one of the few that liked that brown dress and it's probably because I'd secretly love to dress as MVT at all times 😆. That drab dress was a hell of a lot more useful than this one. Also I don't understand how this is a dress rather than a skirt and jacket (which would be more useful).

OP, huge ask, please come back when you get it and post us a picture how it looks on you. I'm really curious how you rock it and accessorise.

Would be good for PMQs or interviewing to replace Mary Poppins. Not sure about a wedding.

Almost 2 years away
Most things that I lived two years ago I hardly like now as my style evolves (a bit) over the years
I have bought things in the past just to have for an occasion but have never worn because by the time an ocassion did arise I no longer liked them
The suit is ok but I think it could possibly look very frumpy on someone that wasn’t quite slim and tall
The reduction also wasn’t even that great

You’re only 26?!!!! Sorry but it looks like a mother of the bride outfit. It’s pretty, and I love the nod to the New Look, but it looks like it’s meant for people at least twice your age!

It's not a timeless classic though. It's very much of a time and that time is gone.

Sorry op it's absolutely awful. I can't imagine anyone wearing that to any weddings I've been to.

I love it!

It's a bit 'Mary Poppins' I'm afraid.

Hundred percent this. I like a lot of Self Portrait (although think they sometimes go quite wrong). And I do like this one, but my first thought was that something's off in the proportions. Initially, I thought length, but on second look, realised it's those sleeves. Shortening them will completely change the look of the dress for the better.

I hope you love it OP. I've found that sometimes their waists don't hit me in the exactly the right place but sometimes I get lucky.

And don't let the comments put you off. There is frequently a distinct lack of style on style and beauty! Or at least the mistaken belief that 'style' must equate to 'looks the same as everything else.'

It’s beautiful! I actually want to buy something like this myself now. I’m 30.
I would personally find a lot of reasons to wear it out - yes, weddings, visiting a gallery, flower fair or other nice event. Or even going out for brunch, afternoon tea.

I remember buying a very nice dress from sale and thinking I don’t have any events to wear it to, but then less than a month later I met my husband and was going out with him to all sorts of dinners and fancy parties and that dress was handy.

I think it's lovely- very Princess of Wales but lovely and if you are happy to look dressed up could wear it to work depending on what you do or summer events.

I think it’s stunning! Great outfit for a wedding or the like!

I loved styles like that in my 20s and made the most of wearing them when my youth helped me carry them off. You might stand out but you'll look lovely.

Sister Jane can be fun but also makes me think of a woman about 20 years older than you (who has the money to buy it).

My only quibble is that it is a dress pretending to be a suit and you may prefer an actual suit in that silhouette. But I bet it looks neat on!

It looks like the original nurses outfit I wore in the 1970s.

The fact that the OP is 26 means it won't look frumpy. It isn't to my taste but only as I don't like the colour much and I didn't like it styled in the first photo with black heels, I much preferred the silver heels later on.

I do think it's a shame when posters appear to delight in mocking others' choices. I am glad we don't all wear a uniform and that there is individuality, and that some are brave enough to experiment and stand out a little.

This designer does a lot of very similar silhouettes to the OP's dress and I think her stuff is fab.

https://www.instagram.com/eponinelondon

This illustrates my previous point perfectly!

I see comments like this from much older people all the time in S&B: ‘I’m 56 and I think it’s frumpy and old fashioned. I wouldn’t wear it’

Yes, that’s because you’re 56 and not 26! 😂. Older people are looking at it from a completely different perspective. It may well look frumpy ON YOU, but not necessarily on a 26 year old.

Errrrrrmmmm
As long as it makes you happy OP