June 25th, 2008
Style on Trial: Ostrich feather dress by Burberry Prorsum
We may have mentioned this before, but just in case you missed it, let us say again upfront that The Fashion Police are no fans of feathers – unless, of course, they’re still attached to their original owners. In fact, when they’re used like this, on clothes, we actually find them downright creepy. It was no surprise to us, then, to find that this ostrich feather dress by Burberry Prorsum had been relegated to the "sale" section of Net-a-Porter – although, when we say "sale" we mean "it’ll still cost you £1288". Then we say, "Who on earth would pay that much to look like Big Bird’s less colourful cousin? WHO?"
We’re prepared to admit, though, that our feather phobia could be standing in the way here, and preventing us from seeing this dress as clearly as might otherwise be the case. So we’re putting it On Trial. It’s up to you, Fashion Police Jury: is this dress guilty of Crimes Against Fashion?
I really love the color and the top half of the dress, but I just can’t love the feathers. It’s… just wrong. Especially since in the small format of a photograph, it looks more like someone picked up a dirty pelt off the floor of a log cabin and wrapped it around their waist for a skirt.
Yeah, osterich feathers are a bit OTT. NO wonder the dress is expensive though, those feathers cost a fortune!
I love feathers…and I’m sure if you were a celebrity it can be pulled off. I’d love to wear it…however, I’m not a millionaire, therefore, it’s not happening.
I love feathers if they’re on costumes and the red carpet, but this is definitely OTT. It could at least be colorful.
Reminds me a bit of the dress Ann Hathaway wore a few days ago to some premiere or other. The fashion critics were over the moon about it, but i didn’t like it then, and i don’t like it now.
I don’t mind the feathers but I do find this dress a bit odd. The skirt part would be lovely for formal evening wear teamed with a simple grey silk top while the top half would be smart for work teamed with a pencil skirt.
I think that the two together in one dress doesn’t work though.
I like the neckline, but the skirt is just horrid!! and poor ostrich, does he deserved that??!!!
I don’t mind feathers either, but I don’t care for this dress…I mean honestly, where would you wear it?
I do mind feathers indeed. Diana’s absolutely right, no ostrich deserves to be killed for an ugly dress like the one featured above.
I *love* this dress! I’m not ashamed of saying so- I have seen it at Net a Porter and mooned over it for a while now. But it is certainly not an everyday buy and there would be very few appropriate occasions for it. Even if I could afford it I still couldn’t ever justify buying it for that reason. Not a crime against fashion at all! On the cruelty point, I’d say ostriches are bred for their meat so why not use their feathers?!