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Original poster

Is DD right about this dress? (Light-hearted)

262 replies

ShiningShimmeringSplendid · 20/09/2025 11:57

https://joanieclothing.com/celia-birtwell-x-joanie-golden-slumbers-flared-sleeve-ruffle-neck-wrap-dress.html

I bought this for various Christmas parties. I love it, having a weakness for hippyish, Stevie Nicks-in-the-1970s getups. My daughter (8, sarcastic, only prepared to wear black leggings) made a horrified face on seeing it. Which of us is right? (In case it helps, I'm slim and pretty flat, so the volumising effect of the ruffle isn't too problematic to my eye).

OP posts:
FlipFlopVibe · 21/09/2025 20:36

I quite like it if you have a frame like the model but it’s reduced as it’s going out of season, might be early autumn wear but not Christmas party

Quandri · 21/09/2025 20:37

It’s giving me Margot Ledbetter vibes.

NNforthispost · 21/09/2025 20:44

Ooh that’s a beautiful dress. It won’t be to everyone’s taste, but I think it’s stunning.

viques · 21/09/2025 20:45

Love it! And hang on to it, I bet by the time she is 18 she will be pulling it out of your wardrobe to take to University!

Willyoujust · 21/09/2025 20:45

Personally I think the dress is hideous. But wear what you feel comfortable in.

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/09/2025 20:48

Quandri · 21/09/2025 20:37

It’s giving me Margot Ledbetter vibes.

I am getting more Barbara Goode tbh (no bad thing btw!), but whatever else you say about Margot, that woman was stylish!

Quandri · 21/09/2025 20:49

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/09/2025 20:48

I am getting more Barbara Goode tbh (no bad thing btw!), but whatever else you say about Margot, that woman was stylish!

Edited
Show quote history

Oh she was. Was watching the one where they all get drunk the other night and I’d forgotten how funny it was.

Original poster
ShiningShimmeringSplendid · 21/09/2025 20:51

henlake7 · 21/09/2025 20:17

This is an entertaining thread, thanks OP!😀

I love how nobody is going, 'eh....it's alright'. We all seem to be either loving or hating it.
It kinda makes me wonder what the opposite version of this dress is?

We aim to please!

There are plenty of neutral, tasteful dresses in the world - this is the sort of thing I would wear to work, since I'm a solicitor rather than owning a crystal and incense shop. But I definitely prefer something non-corporate on my days off. https://www.meandem.com/day-to-evening-textured-maxi-dress-intense-red

Women's Red Day-To-Evening Textured Maxi Dress | ME+EM

ME+EM's Red Day-To-Evening Textured Maxi Dress is made from a textured tailoring fabric with a soft, fluid feel. Shop now.

https://www.meandem.com/day-to-evening-textured-maxi-dress-intense-red

OP posts:
PortSalutPlease · 21/09/2025 21:16

Joanie has some gorgeous dresses. Sadly that isn’t one of them 😬

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 21/09/2025 21:18

I'm a solicitor- was a partner in a large private client firm , have stepped down to consultancy. I'd wear the Joannie dress to work. I wear Klements, Cabbages & Roses, Palava, Casey Casey and even Batsheva to work. I don't have any plain corporate clothes any more- even pre-Covid I'd given up corporate wear.

PeanutGallerist · 21/09/2025 21:22

Hmm … Now that changes my view, @ShiningShimmeringSplendid. I came across Joanie two or three years ago on S&B, and felt it was a good place to recommend (as an alternative to endless Nobody’s Child) to people wanting something not dull, but suitable for a very limited budget.

However, if you can afford, and are thus used to … better, I do feel it would be kinder to leave that dress available for someone who might need it more! 🤷‍♀️

StewkeyBlue · 21/09/2025 21:42

Fab dress , love the C Birtwell vibe. If you are the kind of person who can rock a dress like that, go for it!

Carpedimum · 21/09/2025 22:12

I like it. It’s definitely a dress that requires confidence & the Celia Birtwell 70s styles in general need the wearer to not be a shrinking violet. The fact that it’s nearly sold out says something! Shine in it & be splendid @ShiningShimmeringSplendid

Trishyb10 · 21/09/2025 22:28

Me thinks its awful too but but but just be you and if you love it buy it and sod everyone else,thats what i would do, just be youx

IsThistheMiddleofNowhere · 21/09/2025 23:11

I quite like it although the flappy sleeves might be a bit annoying. It would look awful on me though as I'm short but would suit someone with model proportions.

Soontobe60 · 21/09/2025 23:14

I love it, but those sleeves are going to annoy the hell out of you!

TheCheekyCyanHelper · 22/09/2025 04:03

I think my face just did the same thing your daughter's did. Those are some interesting colors and patterns....put together.

SiameseBlueEyes · 22/09/2025 05:49

I'm with your daughter on this one. If I want an honest opinion on something I'm doubtful on, I ask one of my sons.

MangoBiscuit · 22/09/2025 07:08

I usually hate ruffles, and I'm not a big fan of a lot of these length dresses that seem to be popular at the moment. I also dislike yellow! So all in, I should not like that dress at all. But I actually think it's lovely. Agree with pp's who have said pair with boots.

MysticHalfWitch · 22/09/2025 08:22

I love it too.

GoodNewsAndBadNews · 22/09/2025 08:51

I love it!

Grammarnut · 22/09/2025 08:51

I think it's the shade of yellow for me. If it was in other colours i.e. not yellow I would wear it - though I am not a fan of wrap-around dresses, they tend to make me look fatter than I am!
It's also a startlingly good price!

AlaKart · 22/09/2025 09:33

Wonderful !!

FancyCatSlave · 22/09/2025 09:35

I’m Team child with this one. I like the colours but the shape of it is horrid.

I can’t stand ruffles full stop.

SyntheticFluff · 22/09/2025 09:53

Pinkclarko · 21/09/2025 07:46

It’s funny because someone could post a picture of a dress covered in dicks on here and there’ll always be at least one person who’ll come on to say they rather like it 😁And that demonstrates how subjective it all is.

I don’t think this dress is meant to look like a faithful reproduction of a 70’s dress, and Celia Birtwell is known for throwing together odd/incongruent patterns (she dressed the cast of SATC) and that’s the aim I think. A bit like irregular choice shoes or other weird brands. It takes a bit of window dressing to make these things work; you can’t just throw it on an expect it to look good.

some things on here like Toast, I keep looking at the links to see what it is I’m not getting but I’ll never understand the appeal. I think I might appreciate it if styled well on someone who suits it though.

Had too much coffee and rambling. That’s my two cents anyway! 😁

I think you're confusing Celia Birtwell for Patricia Field, who was the costume designer for SATC.

I like the dress, OP.