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What do you think of the Seasalt Charlotte dress in Inky Botanical Chalk?

238 replies

Chefpig · 27/06/2026 17:17

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/charlotte-midi-shirt-dres

I love this in Inky Botanical Chalk but im a size 22. Would I look ridiculous?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Safarisagoody · 30/06/2026 11:58

corblimeygvnr · 30/06/2026 11:03

It looks perfectly acceptable I would say. That's how these dresses are - they are not for big fancy events. They are for comfortable everyday living.

I think as long as the op likes it, that’s all the matters, we should all wear clothes we like, it only gets a bit hairy as she did ask what people thought of it, and got mixed opinions. Having confidence in our own sense of style is important. It doesn’t matter what others think.

there is seldom a dress or item of clothing that appeals to everyone. Life would be very dull indeed if we all liked the same thing. So it will always be some think that’s lovely and others think no not for me.

i posted a pic of me in a similar type every day dress, it’s aimed at the same demographic, and of a similar vibe, short sleeves, midi, fit and flare type style, although yes at a higher price point, and some will prefer mine, some will prefer the ops style, its just personal style.

I think as long as the op doesn’t take offence if someone doesn’t like it, then it’s fine, I for example don’t care if someone doesn’t like mine, I’m comfortable in my own skin and dress sense, I find it simply an interesting conversation topic. Two comparable dresses, aimed at the same demographic, both with a different vibe, one will appeal to some, the other will appeal to others.

asking opinion will always get mixed responses. The only sure thing everyone agrees on is it will not look ridiculous on any size.

mixedpeel · 03/07/2026 11:21

Zertan · 27/06/2026 23:30

Seasalt are generally high quality and it's a classic shape of dress.

I don't really like their patterns, personally, but I love their plain linen Carved Wood style dress. Flattering, gently fitted shape and amazingly comfortable in this hot weather. I've collected 4 of them in different colours over the years. Also surprisingly forgiving if you don't iron them.

They vaguely remind me of the dresses my grandma used to wear in photos from the 1950s. A touch retro, but in a good way (Granny was quite stylish and she knew what suited her).

Just to thank you for this recommendation. This style looked perfect for my body shape. I found one on vinted and it arrived today - fits like a glove! Really so pleased and would never have known about it without your post.

StationJack · 03/07/2026 12:16

Carved Wood Dress - Seasalt Cornwall is very nice. Check vinted or ebay for other colours.

Toveylove · 03/07/2026 13:39

Maybe we have to post with provisos and disclaimers or exclusions.

“ what do you think of this seasalt dress? Replies wholesale denigrating the brand and its target market need not contribute. “

“ is this a nice wedding guest dress?” Replies denigrating this budget range and fabric need not contribute.

etc.

StationJack · 03/07/2026 13:48

Nah, just accept that the replies will be 'Seasalt/M&S/..... is for old ladies with big bellies. Only women over 50 wear the brand'

What would happen if you posted a photo of a dress from an MN-approved brand (e.g, Cos, Toast) and claimed it was Seasalt/FatFace/M&S?Would it get dismissed as old lady?
It should be possible to age the model using AI.

(We'd need to let the Cos/Toast-devotees in on the joke)

RampantIvy · 03/07/2026 22:44

StationJack · 03/07/2026 13:48

Nah, just accept that the replies will be 'Seasalt/M&S/..... is for old ladies with big bellies. Only women over 50 wear the brand'

What would happen if you posted a photo of a dress from an MN-approved brand (e.g, Cos, Toast) and claimed it was Seasalt/FatFace/M&S?Would it get dismissed as old lady?
It should be possible to age the model using AI.

(We'd need to let the Cos/Toast-devotees in on the joke)

I feel like doing that with Skechers trainers and photoshopping the current trendy logo on them.

StationJack · 03/07/2026 22:56

Do it!

Safarisagoody · 04/07/2026 07:18

Toveylove · 03/07/2026 13:39

Maybe we have to post with provisos and disclaimers or exclusions.

“ what do you think of this seasalt dress? Replies wholesale denigrating the brand and its target market need not contribute. “

“ is this a nice wedding guest dress?” Replies denigrating this budget range and fabric need not contribute.

etc.

Cos and toast also get a lot of dislike and that’s as we all have different tastes.

youre going to have a tough time if you take real offense as someone doesn’t like a brand or style you do. That’s a whole new level of sensitivity

snd no I don’t think you can ask people to put provisos, disclaimers in questions so you only read answers that you like.

it’s a chat forum, I wear mainly me + em, Reiss, studio Nicholson. I’ve seen many negative comments on this first two, I can’t imagine being offended, or even bothered, never mind to the extent I try ti control the answers.

RampantIvy · 04/07/2026 09:16

I agree that it is OK to say that something isn't your cup of tea or to your taste, but to denigrate someone's choice because "only pensioners shop there" is just rude.

For example: I'm not a fan of chunky sandals or any shoes with chunky soles. I'm tall and don't need the height and I don't have small feet so they would look ridiculous on me, so I will wear what the fashion police class as frumpy footwear instead.

StationJack · 04/07/2026 13:38

it’s a chat forum, I wear mainly me + em, Reiss, studio Nicholson. I’ve seen many negative comments on this first two, I can’t imagine being offended, or even bothered, never mind to the extent I try ti control the answers.

The negative comment on those brands are quite different from the negative comment a brand like Seasalt gets.

I can see the appeal of all those brands but would consider them for different reasons.
I think me+em are not cut for me but seem decent quality. The fabric tends to be heavier than I like. Those are me issues not them and I've not been looking recently.
Reiss - stylish and looks good but the quality isn't that great. The cut is good on me. Wouldn't buy it again in a hurry.
Studio Nicholson - like
Seasalt -ok for good everyday basics. Plain stuff nice. Cut not great for me. The local shop has much nicer things than I expect. Caters for bigger sizes (which I don't need but it's good to see)

Floisme · 04/07/2026 14:55

The typical Seasalt cut doesn't work for me a lot of the time either and I wish I knew what it was that they did.

Toast is about twice the price so I'm not sure how fair it is to compare them but I do find it hangs much better on me than Seasalt (although I'm talking more about their trousers and jackets than their dresses). And I'm not sure where the idea that Toast is a MN approved brand has come from as you get whole threads devoted to dissing them, albeit normally without the ageism.

StationJack · 04/07/2026 15:13

I used to love Toast. Did it change ownership? It might be OK on, but it's online
and I never spot anything i like enough to order.

Brands tend to have a cut that will either suit you or not. I think the Seasalt cut is generous in the belly. I think it's because the seams are flat when the garment is flat -probably not a technical term .. sort of the dress is 2-D but the body is 3-D, if that makes sense.

I despair at some of the clothes that are linked in Style & Beauty.

Floisme · 04/07/2026 15:22

Toast has changed ownership a couple of times and it seems to be mostly made in China now. The last thing I bought there was still nice but noticeably cheaper fabric and I thought, 'right I think we're done'. But I still shop on their Reworn site because you can still occasionally buy 'old school' Toast pieces there and, unlike Vinted etc, they accept returns.

StationJack · 04/07/2026 17:09

That's a shame because they were clothes that I'd have been prepared to invest in them if I loved them enough to buy them.

They do come up on auction sites but tend to attract bidders.

Horses7 · 05/07/2026 18:11

My mum would like it - sorry OP

Motnigh · 05/07/2026 22:04

Horses7 · 05/07/2026 18:11

My mum would like it - sorry OP

Why, what is wrong with your mum?

Horses7 · 05/07/2026 22:13

Motnigh · 05/07/2026 22:04

Why, what is wrong with your mum?

Nothing she’s a very happy 90 year old - thanks for concern!

RampantIvy · 05/07/2026 22:54

More ageist comments 😕

PhaedraTwo · 06/07/2026 04:31

Horses7 · 05/07/2026 22:13

Nothing she’s a very happy 90 year old - thanks for concern!

Whoosh - point sailing straight over your head.

Floisme · 06/07/2026 09:05

Well thank you, @Horses7 for that real time demonstration of our point. Of all the perfectly valid criticisms that can be made of Seasalt, you choose the 'I know an old lady who likes it' argument and then, when challenged, retreat into disingenuousness.

Frillysweetpea · 06/07/2026 09:32

It completely depends on your colouring and shape. Two women can both be a size 22 and look very different if one is, for example, dark, striking and tall and the other is a short, soft blonde.

Safarisagoody · 06/07/2026 09:56

Floisme · 06/07/2026 09:05

Well thank you, @Horses7 for that real time demonstration of our point. Of all the perfectly valid criticisms that can be made of Seasalt, you choose the 'I know an old lady who likes it' argument and then, when challenged, retreat into disingenuousness.

I think a lot of over sensitivity on age here. Her mum liking it isn’t ageist. Any more than her 35 year old sister or 20 year old daughter, liking it. if it’s her mums style it’s her style.

Floisme · 06/07/2026 10:01

Safarisagoody · 06/07/2026 09:56

I think a lot of over sensitivity on age here. Her mum liking it isn’t ageist. Any more than her 35 year old sister or 20 year old daughter, liking it. if it’s her mums style it’s her style.

I guess it depends on whether or not you think an old person liking an article of clothing is a) valid criticism of that piece of clothing or b) warrants a disparaging comment about that person's age, laced with a dose of wide eyed innocence.

Edited because I missed out a word

Motnigh · 06/07/2026 10:24

Safarisagoody · 06/07/2026 09:56

I think a lot of over sensitivity on age here. Her mum liking it isn’t ageist. Any more than her 35 year old sister or 20 year old daughter, liking it. if it’s her mums style it’s her style.

Why the "sorry" then?

Safarisagoody · 06/07/2026 10:36

Motnigh · 06/07/2026 10:24

Why the "sorry" then?

Gosh I really struggle with so many not understanding this. It’s a question I see asked often, usually asked to hide a passive aggressive attack.

sorry is I assume from tnr poster as it is maybe not the response she wishes.

if you wish to be passive Aggressive just come out and own it, don’t hide behind silly questions.