Can anyone wear a midi dress?

I have a BIG thing about seeing clothes on women - not models - and that is why I set up Avenue 57. We can all be lured into loving an item online/instore but what does it REALLY look like on a human body?

I've seen this style of dress gradually make a strong appearance in stores and online and I've always dismissed it as a style of dress that wouldn't suit me. I've loved the maxi dress trend and I have loved wearing a mini. Nowadays I don't wear skirts and dresses that are too short, I know age is only a number but there is a hem line debate when you slide towards 40 and I now go for just above the knee when buying a shorter style dress.

I was included in a twitter conversation last week involving, Nicola Payne, School Gate Style and Room 31. Nicola was showing off her new dress from Room 31 and she looked stunning in it (pic here).  I was actually jealous of how good she looked. So it got me thinking .. could I wear one? Would I just look like I was trying too hard? Would it show off all the lumps and bumps that come after having had children? Ruth at Room 31 is one of the kindest people ever and she sent me a dress to try. I chose the Poppy Snake Print Midi Dress (£17), this is what it looks like online

And here I am in as many ways as I can think to wear with items I currently own - to say I'm in love with it is an understatement and I cannot tell you how it makes me feel to wear it - I feel womanly, not frumpy and it certainly raised the eyebrows of my husband when he saw me in it too!

Check me out with the pigeon toe pretending to be cute look that I swore I'd never do!

Not so good but almost ok, would be better with a good patent court shoe

And as with all outfits, there are ways NOT to wear it!

My absolute favourite way is this way

My very good blogging friend Avril from School Gate Style also had a dress sent to her. This goes to show that it is a dress that suits two people with different body shapes and styles.  Check out more of Avril's looks and styling of the dress here.

What do we look like side by side? Shows off the dress beautifully I reckon

So the theory is, never dismiss anything until you have tried it on! The dress is still available to buy today from Room 31 - be quick, this is going to sell out soon.

The dress comes in 3 different patterns, the one I was wearing, the one Avril was wearing and this one.  At £14 can you really pass this one by? I think I'm going to have to get the black and white tie dye one as well.

So, are you tempted by the midi?

Fiona

xoxo