Honest opinion required... (pic)

I got myself what I thought was a nice dress yesterday and wore it last night to see my 2 friends for my birthday. I never usually wear dresses and wanted to start wearing them more often now i'm a little happier with my shape.

We had a picture taken last night and I put it on facebook, whereby a good friend of mine (who always gives her honest opinion) told me that it didn't really look good and it 'ages' me. To be honest, it is a terrible picture of me but the comment really cut me deep. I already have big issues with my self esteem and this just knocked my confidence right back. I just wanted to know if I really do look as bad as she made me feel...

This dress by the way is sleeveless. I just wear a black shrug over the top to hide my awful fatty arms. I'm the blonde on the left by the way.

Just a guy's opinion... But I think the dress looks fine on you but I would be interested to see what it looks like without the sleeves.

You are a little hidden by your friend but I can't see anything wrong with it, it looks like a lovely dress. Maybe it's just not her style. I have a couple of friends that wouldn't be caught dead in anything with a floral print and there's plenty of beautiful floral prints out there.

It doesn't age you at all! It looks really nice.

you look great!!! however i can tell by your posture that you are a little self-conscious about how you look in a photo. smile, hold your head up, and enjoy yourself!!

and btw, f*$k your friend.

I think you look fine! (and I love your shoes!) I think that sometimes friends give their "honest opinion" as an excuse to be rude (and it has nothing to do with being honest). Don't worry about the comment!

I think the dress is cute and I don't think it ages you at all. Take her comment with a grain of salt. You look good!

It does not age you in my opinion. Perhaps your friend suffers from dressing age inappropriate thinking she is still a teenager. You are an attractive young woman and look like one here. I agree it might look better without the long sleeves, but that is largely temperature dependent.

You look awesome! I would bet that your friend is jealous of your success...just shake it off, and keep on doing what you're doing!

I love how you look in that dress. I'm sure it would look younger and fresher without the sleeves, but it isn't "aging" at all.

I think that sometimes friends give their "honest opinion" as an excuse to be rude (and it has nothing to do with being honest). Don't worry about the comment!

and this!

You look so pretty! I don't think it ages you -- maybe your friend meant that the dress was a little (looks a little) more tailored/less casual than what everyone else is wearing, and that threw her off? But more importantly: Where did you get your shoes. I have low arches so I can't wear heels without an ankle strap, but I can't find any heels less than 5 in with a strap. So, props to you.

Honestly?

The top half definitely ages you, but as far as the bottom half (and the actual dress), I think you look good. The shrug (I don't think that's a shrug BTW) makes you look like you're in the 50s and doesn't compliment the style of the dress at all. I also think it makes you look bigger than you actually are.

So no you don't look horrible, but next time try and open sweater with the dress and I bet you'll look better!

I agree. The shrug thing looks outdated and makes your arms look bigger than they are. Maybe next time try a black (or even pink ) sweater that's fitted, but not so tight.

BTW, the dress is super cute and I love those shoes!

I think the dress is cute and I bet it would be a ton cuter without the shrug.

The shrug gives it a weird shape.

I think that *you* look great. The top half of the dress could be a little less severe....it's just that you don't look as great as u probably would in something else. Not a commentary on your looks. I don't think that she's saying that you look bad...and neither am I. The bottom half of that dress looks great on you!

I would take the opinion of the MAJORITY of guys who have replied here. IT was positive, they liked it!

Women are weird sometimes.....too picky about styles, trends, every little detail. Men just see an overall impression and of course your beautiful face and smile.

I say never mind your friend's opinion, honest or not, it really doesn't matter. What matters is how you learn to be a confidence poised woman. Smile! You have lost 45 pounds and are looking fabulous, the best may be yet to come!!!

For the record, the dress is adorable, you do not looked aged, wear what makes you HAPPY!! Then you will radiate who your beautiful self is! Nothing is more attractive than THAT!!

(and try to let go of what others think about you that is negative - life gets so much better when you do!)