Which of these dresses for Chelsea Flower Show?

[Agamede]

I’m off to Chelsea Flower Show and then for supper at a nice restaurant (Daphne’s I think) with a group of friends. Looking for a lovely dress to wear and wondered about these. I’m 48, size 12 with a tum, five foot four. Mid brown bobbed hair but soft coloring.

I think others will be in (expensive) floral dresses I imagine, but I fancy something plain and will probably wear with cream woven Mary Jane’s and a cream cashmere crop cardigan. I’m obviously not cool, but would like to look well presented and a bit stylish.

Any thoughts about these two dresses? Or something else entirely?

https://www.reiss.com/style/su943972/g54881
www.poetryfashion.co.uk/product-RB51/colour-a-chambray/silk-linen-pleated-dress.htm

The Reiss dress is lovely Op!
My only thought is it might need a softer style hair but I doubt anyone would notice or care in real life.
Second one is boring.

I like them both.

Love the Reiss one and think that will look super chic with the woven Mary Jane’s without being over the top. The Poetry one looks very shapeless and a bit like a sack! (Sorry!)

I agree, definitely the first one!

Pleats over the abdomen will make your stomach look bigger. The model doesn't have a stomach!

And refer the Reiss one but I think the midi length of both will swamp you

Reiss dress is definitely the nicer of the two. Looks a little big on the model, maybe size down.

Just seen you’ll wear with a cardigan.

Those dresses are fine if you want to look like an off duty nurse! Personally I'd prefer something a bit more colourful.

I prefer the Reiss dress although maybe hard to carry off if you are worried about your stomach as the waistline might emphasise it. I also think it might be too long; the model is wearing heels but I don't think you intend to?

I think they’re both beautiful and the colour is gorgeous. I think th poetry one would crease very easily though as it’s a linen mix.

I know that Phase Eight stuff tends to be synthetic and you’ve linked to two dresses made of natural fabric but what about Phase Eight petite.

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/violet-floral-maxi-dress-10015250000.html

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-anabella-dress-10015550785.html

I just noticed that they do the Reiss dress in a petite length OP, you might’ve spotted that already

Love them both but I think the Reiss belt would be hard to get right, not keen on the flappy loose end.

I love the poetry one - it is beautiful understated elegance. The reiss one makes a big statement so it depends on your personality and what suits you and what you are aiming for. I would guess you would get a lot more wear out of the poetry one.

I’ve been to Chelsea a few times. They have a variety of visitors, so you’ll see jeans/ casual outfits, and also plenty who are dressed up. Lots of visitors wear printed fabrics, especially flowery patterns. I think the dresses you’ve linked are a bit too plain for Chelsea tbh. Last year I wore smart trousers with a flowery silk blouse and a blazer, because it was chilly and a bit damp. Longish printed dresses are my preference though, with really comfortable trainers. There’s lots of walking and standing. I also take a tote style handbag so I can carry all the show guides and pamphlets, a small umbrella and a little picnic.

I really like the vibe of the poetry dress, the fabric looks much more expensive and I can imagine you would wear it lots over the summer. Reiss dress is almost there but with the detailed belt is a bit like you're off to the races.

Lots of people go floral and wear bright colours, but it’s not compulsory. Outfits range from very formal high end designer, to jeans and a cagoule, so it really doesn’t matter. Both dresses are fine, if a little dull. Maybe you could add a floral accessory as a nod to the occasion.

It always seems to be chillier than I expect, so layers are a must. Shoes need to be tried-and-tested reliably comfortable - don’t wear new ones! And stick some blister plasters in your handbag. Have fun.

I think the Reiss one would swamp you. I like the poetry one but in green - less likely to be het asked to perform cpr

Slightly off topic but I have a Poetry dress similar to that one but 100% linen and its smells peculiar. No matter how I wash it or what I use or if I dry it outside or inside. Never had that before. Anyone experienced that? I'm thinking of getting rid of it which is annoying as they aren't cheap.

The Reiss one is much more stylish as others have said, but I’d go for petite, as reiss comes up long at the best of times.

I’m going to Chelsea and I’m going with 3 guys (!), I’m wearing a more flowery dress, cardigan and trainers. There is a lot of walking and standing from my previous visit. Don’t wear heels or if you want to take them in your bag as extras. Big handbag is a must, sunglasses, sun hat and umbrella. Have fun.

Thank you- I think the two dresses have divided opinion and the vibe is quite different I guess.

I have been to Chelsea before and know that there are lots of florals about and I’ll definitely be with six ladies in floral dresses. Florals are not my style at all and I don’t think they really suit me. I much prefer really simple styles and colours in natural fabrics.

Is there a way to ‘dress up’ these dresses to be more styled if they are a bit boring (without adding a floral scarf)?

The Reiss one with the flapping belt would drive me insane.

I’d go for a smart cardigan or a linen blazer with gold jewellery to pick out the gold in the buckle. Smart handbag, nice sunglasses and you’ll look fab!

I prefer the poetry one and would feel silly walking around overly dressed at a flower show. I know people do but its odd imo. I would just wear a linen shirt and nice trousers. You could dress up the Poetry dress with a nice colourful tie belt perhaps