So you are in the changing rooms and you see someone trying on an outfit that really doesn't suit them wwyd ?

[rookiemater]

This happened to me yesterday. Was admiring myself in communal mirror.

Pretty girl comes out trying on posh occasion frock, fairly bright pink. Absolutely gorgeous dress, but she was petite and flat chested with very english rose colouring and it did less than nothing for her. Managed successfully to keep trap shut, but then she appeared out in another dress. Again, stunning frock but deep emerald, completely wrong colour and shape for her, definitely would have been better in a muted colour and less showy.

I did manage not to say anything, thank goodness, but very difficult. I know etiquette and good manners dictate that I say nothing, but clearly she had no clue about what suited her and it offends my sensibilities to think of someone spending loads of money on clothes that don't suit them.

Erm, I would mind my own business and think that life is too short to upset someone I don't know over something so trivial

i do tell people when they look fab though. even when i don't know them. someone did it to me once and it made me feel so good that now i try to share the lurve...

keep my mouth shut. Unless asked. (Or unless asked to pay!) Truly, it is none of your business AND it doesn't hurt or affect you in ANY way if this total stranger goes about in a bin liner!

I know, I know it all came out wrong. I don't think I'm fab, I was just being funny.

Seriously she was really pretty and the clothes were all wrong for her. Yes I know none of my beeswax, must get out more

if i see someone dithering over which outfit to choose i will sometimes say "that one" or if someone looks fantastic in something they try on i will say so.

but wouldn't advise against something unless asked to do so

I would say absolutely NOTHING unless someone asked my opinion. In which case I'd try to be very tactful but suggest perhaps the (horrible) dress wasn't really doing much for them.

(I'd be thinking 'how can you possibly choose that horrible dress' very loudly, though!)

I have asked people in a communal changing rooom what they think (honestly) before now - but that's because I'm totally crap with clothes/what suits me. (and have been told on occassions that it doesn't suit me at all)

However I think you did the right thing in keeping your mouth shut if she didn't ask your opinion

The shop assistant wasn't helping either. She was one of the ones that would say you looked lovely in anything. I tried on a grey sweater dress that made me look like a sofa and she was twittering on for ages about how I could dress it up or wear it at the weekend, until I was at the point of thinking it was quite nice, then back on my own I realised that it looked like a knitted hospital gown.

rookiemater, I know where you're coming from but I would never dare to tell a complete stranger that something didn't suit them. I once saw a bride to be in Monsoon trying on wedding dresses, her 2 friends were telling her that one dress was gorgeous and the one she should get and it looked bloody awful. I couldn't work out if they were complete bitches or just had no idea. I'm not that fashion-conscious myself, but sometimes it is really obvious to all but the wearer that something isn't right!

I would DEFINITELY not say anything - eek, why would you?

Plus she might well have known the dresses looked awful - it's fairly embarrassing trying on a dress in a changing room and realising too late that it looks awful - without pushy strangers kindly informing you of the fact just to add to the humiliation.

If anyone offered me unsolicited advice in a communal changing room I'd be strongly tempted to "accidentally" whip aside the curtain just as they were hopping out of their trousers on my way out.

Too true The wheels. I remember when I went wedding dress shopping and had my heart set on a HUGE dress. I came out thinking I looked terrific and my 2 lovely friends and Mum didn't say a word, but all 3 jaws just dropped open in a not reassuring way.

Perhaps I need a look like that....

Sometimes it's a matter of your personal taste anyway - I remember shopping for my own wedding dress and seeing a very pretty plump(young) girl trying on the most flouncy frilly frock you can imagine. It did absolutely nothing for her IMHO, drowned her in frills and made her look fat. Her mother was in tears declaring how beautiful her daughter looked. I and my mum and bridesmaid were all desperate to rip the dress off her and put her in a much simpler corset and skirt number that we thought she would have looked stunning in. Not our business though, and as long as she was happy, that's the main thing.

I myself have asked people before in changing rooms, and would have greatly appreciated your candour

Looks like wedding dresses are the real danger area then

Well that the thing Poledra, I think the girl did want an honest opinion from somebody. Her DP was there, and was making non commital noises, but she was in front of the mirror for long enough for it not to be an OMG this dress doesn't suit me I hate it, lets get it off reaction.

My DH is pretty quick to tell me if something doesn't suit me, probably because he can't bear the thought that I might buy something and never wear it. The waste of money would cause him physical pain.

However, in your case, best not to say something since she didn't ask.

Rookiemater, I've butted my oar in, but only when I see somebody kind of cast around looking for opinions.

I've told people to get a smaller size, wouldn't risk telling somebody to get a bigger size though.

I think you can tell people they look nice but not give a negative opinion IYSWIM.

at this from theyoungvisitor

"If anyone offered me unsolicited advice in a communal changing room I'd be strongly tempted to "accidentally" whip aside the curtain just as they were hopping out of their trousers on my way out."

This has just really made me chuckle