Unfug It Up: Martha Plimpton

All I can think is, Tiffany table lamp. But she herself looks lovely and healthy. Give it a sweeping portrait neckline and I think we're in business.

It's...on backwards?

In a small skirt, I think this fabric pattern wouldn't be so bad. But there is just way too much of this fabric and way too close to her face. You can't see anything but the pattern. What was she thinking?

I like it -- interesting fabric, nice cut, it seems to fit. She looks terrific, great hair, make-up, and accessories. And all of her lady bits are covered up and not smooshed in some bizarre way -- two thumbs up!

Hmmm.... Raise the hem an inch or two, make it a nice sweetheart neckline, and offset the twee-ness of the neckline and sleeves with some really exotic black leather strappy heels. And more dramatic eye makeup, please!

I kind of like it--very donna reed. the shoes have to go, though

I don't know, I think it's pretty kooky and cute the way it is. Maybe it'd look a bit silly on Kate Beckinsale or something, but it really fits Martha Plimpton, in a good way.

I love her! She can do no wrong.

Ummmmmmmmmmmmm is that a BUSTLE I'm seeing? I do like the pattern but the cut of the dress is hideous - the lines, the nun-like 3rd grade teacher-ishness about it. Take it off and use the fabric to make a strappy tank or trim strapless sheath out of it...but lose the uneven hemline, the dowdy pleats, the octomom birthing hips, the prim neckline, and the church sleeves!

Looks like Halloween has come early.

Like her so much don't really care what she's wearing. I also think she seems to really like the dress. She's definitely wearing it as opposed to it wearing her and that's quite an accomplishment with so much material in such a bold color and pattern. Well done, Martha.

If only the skirt ended at the knee and was a consistent length, then we'd have something. A little less volume in the hips and a wide black belt would help too.

It has a strong Viktor and Rolf vibe to me, and I kinda like it@ I feel like Marpim is an a total original along the lines of SWINTON, and can totally pull it off.

It has a strong Viktor and Rolf vibe to me, and I kinda like it@ I feel like Marpim is an a total original along the lines of SWINTON, and can totally pull it off.

I think I'd be okay with the fabric if the cut weren't so fancy librarian. I think if it were sleeveless with a scoop neck, and a few inches shorter it could be good. Oh - and if the skirt were A-line - something about it's current shape seems weird to me.

Eh, it's too old lady up top - I don't like the weird short sleves. I also don't like what it's doing to her hips. She's cute and this dress could be really nice if the cut was different and it showed her neck, shoulders, and knees.

I'm not on board with that pattern for this dress. Change it to a nice vibrant blue silk, and instead of the weird bustle thing, do a flared skirt to keep with the 50's vibe.

BUT WAIT
What are those shoes? Some freak hybrid of a sandal and a peep-toe. One or the other please!

I think it is quirky in an interesting way, and she pulls it off. Not everyone can look good in that shade of green, and she should commended for that alone.

I dig it. Only tweaks I'd make are changing the color (too much like highlighter green) and exchanging the shoes for something more monumental and sexy.

In a strapless cut (for summer, natch), it would be adorable.

Ugly ugly green, ugly fabric, ugly cut. Irredeemable.

The good news is that she seems to have hardly aged since The Goonies. The bad news is that this dress is aging her. This is horrific.

I rather like it actually. The color is great and she looks awesome - she's hardly changed. I'd be worried about catching the lacy overlay on stuff all night but if she gets away without a snag, more power to her.

I just hate those SLEEVES. No sleeves? Cute and quirky. Though I guess that'd be weird this late in the year.

I think this dress would look better on someone with a stronger colouring. However, if it was maybe just a skirt, a pencil one at that, rather than a whole dress, and she wore it with a black shirt, we'd be in business.

Sleeveless V-neck sheath, just above the knee. Could look fab. And get a pedicure! ugh.

In a nutshell, here's the problem.

I was poised to get all gushy about you featuring someone who is in Wrinklerella territory, viz. (having a British mo) of a certain age.

That age is not 38. Which Martha is.

Never, never, never don something that instantly ages you 10 years. Particularly if it looks like flocked wallpaper.

Hasn't she grown up to be a lovely woman? And you know what? I think she totally owns this look. I like it.

I actually really like the chartreuse floral pattern, but I'm not sure if it goes with her cooloring. And I think this particular hemline would look better with capped sleeves. Or, if she wanted to keep the sleeve length, she should change the hemline, or maybe just go for a classic circle/pencil skirt bottom.

Finally, I hate open-toed shoes that make the wearer look like their entire foot is shoving through the front. A court shoe would've done nicely.

I think she looks perfect. But I'm kinda crazy about her, so maybe I'm a little biased.

It's an interesting dress and a very cool fabric -- bold, verging on gaudy, but somehow witty and endearing. And it's refreshing to see a celebrity dressed modestly for a change.

Well, the dress itself is pretty awful but it's nice to see Martha looking so happy and healthy that I'll give it a pass. It probably wouldn't look so bad if the style of the dress were different, maybe a sleeveless sheath with a scoop neck.

A sweetheart neckline would do wonders for this dress while keeping the vintage look. Strapless would be nice as well. The fabric and colors are amazing. Her shoes are a little matronly. A true peep toe would be better.

I think she looks fine. Not that I have the slightest idea who she is.

The dress has too much fabric. Slim the skirt and add a v-neck up top.

The good news is Martha looks amazing. Her hair is so cute!

Martha P. is pretty awesome, and not just because we have the same name, but I'd give this outfit a few tweaks.

The fabric is great but only in small doses, so I'd make it a skirt, get rid of the mullet hem and add a nice black or white blouse on top. I'd also change out the hideous grandma sandals for some nice black pumps. Il faut souffrire pour etre belle, Martha!

She looks absolutely.... fine. Not great, but definitely acceptable. Maybe shorten it up a notch and call it good. Again, not fantastic, simply OK. I love that she looks so unlike anyone else without having to resort to superfreakism. Also, how can you not know who Martha Plimpton is? Does your mother know you're on the internets?

She looks so matronly. I don't even think she's as old as I am, and I wouldn't wear that. Opening up the neckline and getting rid of those awful sleeves would be a huge improvement.

I wouldn't even mind the top (and I love the sleeves) if it was a nice fitted pencil skirt. Or even an A-line just with a smooth fit and a slightly more flattering length. And up the awesome quotient on the shoes a little, those are slightly too bland for a cool retro dress like this. She is adorable though, that's for sure.

make it strapless and we're in business

First, awesome Goonies reference. On to more important things- I like the collar and sleeves, but I would take the hem up a few inches and go for a more A-line skirt. I think the skirt looks like it has too much fabric. Also, the shoes need to go - they're summer shoes with a winter dress, and they do nothing for the look. With this dress, I'd go for some retro black pumps with killer high heels.

"It's like I'm babysitting but I'm not getting paid."

But how many Louboutins does ten grand get you?

It's PLIMPTON.

She can do no wrong.

PS: I LOVE the sleeves. Leave them be!

I personally think it's hideous but she is wearing it (as opposed to it wearing her). And she looks lovely and fresh and it fits her well. So enjoy MP - rock the neon green and black!

Some cleavage and tall heels. It needs to be a little more 40's glam, Dita-ish.

I just love that she's making an effort. I see Ms. Plimptom popping up on CBS shows these days. It's nice that she's moving out of the hippy-dippy mode that she was in and is comfortably moving towards solid characters and grown-up clothing. A good first attempt.

All she needs is a green eye mask and she can be Poison Ivy for Halloween.

I like her. I like the dress. Very vintagey. Just because she's an actress doesn't mean she has to flash flesh like the rest of them.

I would cut the sleeves off and add a wide black patent belt. Buckle on the belt must be black as well.

On the one hand, I figure she is pushing forty and has bravely decided to dress as a woman pushing forty has every right to do, goddamnit. But on the other hand, I also figure she has always been a quirky vintage girl and hasn't noticed that she has passed the tipping point of looking darling and into looking dowdy, and today's photo is a wakeup call. On my invisible third hand, I think I am projecting a great deal onto this photo, because this is a conversation I have with myself almost daily.

I love the fabric -- it's interesting without being fugly -- but agree that there's too much of it. Either the high neck or the sleeves need to go. I think the shape of the skirt is pretty darn cool.

I really think it looks smashing... very flattering and an interesting and pretty fabric.

...I'd like it if the under-fabric was some other color than blazing lime green...
* : )

I'm really into vintage-style clothing, so I rather like it. But it definitely could be better with just a little tweeking. I'd just make the skirt of the dress very fitted and just above the knee. Add a sexy black d'orsay pump, and it's fabulous!

There seems to be a seam going down the front, which can hardly be necessary.

Yes, a little upholsteryesque, but something to stash away for the future. When Martha's 60, she'll rock this look!

I agree with an early poster that to bring on the early 60's/late 50's retro, you need a ballet scoop neckline, or at least a collar to make it a shirtwaist dress. She's too pretty to look older than she is.

Love it.

Also: this dress needs closed-toe pumps, not sandals!

I love the color and the pattern. Now if only there weren't so much of it. I can see it as a skirt only, perhaps. Something solid color on top? Better shoes would help too.

Love MP, though, and she looks amazing and glowing. It was a delight to see her on The Good Wife this week.

Chiquita banana girl headress!!!

Really, I think what this needs is a sweetheart neckline, maybe a bit darker on the chartruse. It's not a bad dress, just misunderstood.

I actually love the dress and the look EXCEPT the shoes--those toes are a major distraction! She needs some wicket stilettos with a super pointed toe!

Hike up the hem, scoop out the neckline, amp up the makeup a bit and add some killer shoes - then it might be bearable.

Actually, there are too many things that need to be changed to make this look work. Basically, the outfit's totaled.

Just three things need to happen to make me love it:

Sleeves 2" shorter
Even hem to the knee
Style it with a clutch and pumps

It's not actually too bad and agree that it's got a bit of vintage flair to it. It's at least interesting.

I think she needs to lose the sleeves and some of the volume in the shirt. A nice v-neckline would do wonders as well. Also, close toed shoes would help. The one's she's wearing look awfully casual with that dress.

Can I still be Garth?

Okay, I love me some Martha Plimpton, who was not only in Goonies but Parenthood, but I cannot support this color choice for her. I feel like it really clashes with her skin and hair. If it were a different color then I might like the whole thing.

On the other hand, I'd either want shorter sleeves and a pencil skirt or a lower neckline (Love the people recommending sweetheart) and a fuller skirt to look REALLY vintage.

Lose the sleeves, lose the collar, maybe shorten the hem a touch. Then it's perfect.

Needs different shoes, a simple high heel pump and a different neckline-a scoop would be fine.

I'm sorry, but this dress must be burned. I'm shocked that so many think it's good.

At first, I thought that was because of the fabric, which made my eyeballs bleed so profusely that I could no longer see poor Martha's beautiful face. I soon realized that the overwhelming cut of the dress was causing even greater problems, though.

This dress is so overpowering that it's practically eating her alive! I could enjoy this fabric as a trim or on a smaller portion of a garment, further away from the face. Otherwise, no way. The cut is simply drowning her in fabric, and the straight seam down the middle makes me wonder if it could be on backwards. (?!)

I'd take the top half of the dress if the bottom were fitted and the whole thing became a softer color. Or she could keep the wild green, confine it to a smaller area, and then make the cut of the dress more summery and light.

I'm sorry, this is Martha Plimpton and she can do no wrong.

I think it'd be nicer on a different cut dress as others have said, it's too school marm on top, looks like its strangling her.

The shape is very 1950s, although an inch or two off the sleeves would make it younger for her (she's so young!). I'm wondering if that weird hemline is really just a sort of poofy back skirt behind a slender "real" skirt -- sort of like the party gown Audrey Hepburn wore in "Sabrina". I'd be totally behind that idea just because anything that invokes Audrey without heading into parody land makes me happy.

I'm not sold on the print, but then I'm no fan of that neon green/yellow color in the first place. Overall I like it, but I think it's a bit mature for her and needs a few tweaks for perfection.

Just cut it shorter and swap out the shoes with ones that don't make her toes look so... obvious.

This reminds me of my choir dress/uniform from high school with the (cheap) satin and velvet cutouts and the sleeves and the big skirt. And I went to high school in the early 90's. So if that is what she is going for she did a great job!

Personally, I'm not sure this can be unfugged. I'd like to see her in something more flattering. Because yay Goonies! (LOVED that movie.) Plus side, it makes her waist look small. Con side... it makes her hips look large. :(

I'm thinking that this would have been killer on Elphaba for the OzDust Ballroom scene rather then that frumpy black number she wore. But for anything outside of the land of Oz, not so much.

I love the print, I think I like the cut of the dress but definitely not together. That print needs a hot little mini dress..

Ditch the sleeves and give it a different neckline -- something that shows a hint of cleavage. I would put different shoes with it, as well, such as a closed-toe, hidden platform, black patent pump.

I agree with others that like the individuality and kookiness this dress invokes, which is perfect for Martha Plimpton. The only thing I would change is the neck line because it is overpowering her head. I love the sleeves though, so just drop the neckline to a small scoop and I think it would be fabulous.

I am an absolute sucker for this kind of fabric. That said, this is A LOT of that fabric. mayb more of a narrow, tapered skirt would work better? Or just a skirt, with a fitted black top. I don't think the hair and shoe choices are doing this outfit any favors either.

I actually really like this dress. It's avant garde, sure, but the silhouette is interesting. It is not so interesting on her, though. The green is awful with her coloring, and she's a small lady, so she's kind of overwhelmed by it. And the hair! My god, the hair is all wrong.

she looks really really pretty. i think if you just shortened the dress, maybe made the skirt a little less poofy, and added some killer black heels, ones that a more interesting and less dumpy, maybe even black booties, then she would look all out fabulous.

This dress would be cute if it had either:

1) a cute little a-line skirt, slightly tapered and ending at least a couple of inches above the knee (more of a preppy shirt-dress feel), or

2) a more interesting/feminine (and less covered-up and buttoned-down) top half that matched and balanced the femine, flowing, and slightly hip-exagerating (and I mean that in a good way) cut of the skirt.

The whole thing might even work as-is if either the top or bottom were plain black, but right now it's too busy and heavy-looking for even someone as tall and thin as January Jones to pull off.

The cut, hip poofs and strange drooping hemline all remind me of Cinderella's dress, but in this case, it's turning back into a pumpkin. And yet she still wears it well.

P.S. When I was in Jr.High, this color was known as monkey-vomit-green. Just wanted to share that with you.

It almost looks like she's wearing it backwards.

I don't really care for the fabric but it would be worlds better if it had a lower neckline, something like a deep scoop. Lose the sleeves (either make them cap sleeves or sleeveless), shorten the hem to just above the knee and make the skirt fitted so that it looks more like Mad Men and not madness. It's just too much fabric and pattern cut the way it is now. Oh I'd change the shoes to simple black heels.

I'm not sure how I feel about the dress; I think I like it on its own. It somehow doesn't feel at all like Martha, though. Martha, however, looks fabulous. Healthy, glowing, absolutely lovely.

The problem is, Ikea already used that print on a throw cushion.

Martha, you are cute, ageless, and generally awesome. I would LOVE to see you more often on red carpets and out and about. But please wear a better dress next time. One that will make people go, "Wow, is that Martha Plimpton? She looks f'in fantastic." As opposed to this dress, which makes people go, "Who is that elderly woman, and where can I get the name of the plastic surgeon who made her face look 30 years younger?"

Hack off the sleeves, give it a boatneck, make it a shift, hike it up, and give that mama some foxy pumps and a hot man.

Cap sleeves. Cut off the ugly mandarin collar. Hem two inches. Black peep toes. Love the material!

I think it's the sleeves that are the Fatal Flaw, here: they move what could be a challenging look over the line into Lucy's comic new dress. They're... baggy. And middle-aged. And basically pretty icky. The neckline has its own defects, but I'd have to see it without those sleeves (and with, say, a deep cut sleeveless look or a classic fifties fitted elbow-length torniquet sleeve) to judge it- I suspect that the problem with the sleeves and neckline together is it's just too much of that print, and too much body-hiding volume of fabric, for this dress to look anything except "Great-Grandma Goes to Church on Easter." It is possible some black detail at the waist- a belt or just a line of soutache braid- would wake the whole look up (after the sleeves were extirpated) and make it work.

The shoes also communicate old lady- I suspect she's got problem feet, but rocking the comfort shoe is possible (see the New Zealand brand Kumfs for example); and what she's got on now looks way too much like what I settled for while I had a broken toe healing: I'm diabetic and pushing sixty and my shoe choices can be tragically limited.

On the other hand, her face and hair are unimpeachably perfect.

I like the cute/quirky/swintonish dress, but the shoes are kinda mule-ish, no? Pointy black pumps and something black up top too: jet earrings or a little black eyeliner.

I have a soft spot for MarPlimp (okay -that's a terrible mashup of her name...), and I think she could pull this off if the skirt was less poofy and she had different shoes. Maybe a pencily skirt and simple, strappy black sandals or simple, pointy, super-high black pumps.

Her face/hair look better than they have in YEARS.

I'd say trim the skirt into a straighter, almost pencil cut, and make it a couple of inches shorter. That would be a big help. Also, it could be sleeveless.

She needs better hair and more glamorous shoes.

But the fabric is very cool and she can pull off that shade, which is to be commended.

Two words. (Okay, one word and one adjective-noun phrase.)

Sleeveless.
Pencil skirt.

Look more closely, folks. That's not a patterned fabric. That's a black lace overlay over a solid chartreuse-colored fabric dress.

Change the background color to a pretty nude/beige and swap out those shoes for a pair of sexy round-toe or peep-toe Loubs. Major improvement!

i'll start with what i LIKE...
her face is cute...i like the way her hair frames her face...
i like the old fashioned cut in the bodice....
but THATS IT....
the rest is an unnatural disaster...
the colors hurt
the patterns make me wanna call an exorcist
the skirt is too broad and poofy and makes her @ss look the size of a barn
the shoes are boring and look wrong
it all just sux....
if we keep the cut of the bodice....give her a deep vee tho...but that sort of old fashioned natural waist is nice...even an a line skirt...and lets make it a nice rich green!!!
some simple stilletos, and shes HEALED!!!
lordy lordy...
lol

I'd just make it strapless. Shorten the hem slightly so it hits her at the knee

If you cut off the high neckline, making it into a nice cleavage-hinting sweetheart neckline with little cap sleeves or off shoulder sleeves, that would vastly improve it. Cut off a bit of the length at the bottom, tweak the background color from neon lime green to a darker emerald green, then switch out those ugly mules for some strappy sandals or kicky ankle booties, and we're in business!

Lose some fabric!!!!!!! I see a nice tulip-hem dress underneath all that, it wants to come out. :) I love the colour and the pattern (even though it reminds me, too, of throw pillows...).

After some scissors she would need a hairstylist, a makeup artist, some mani-pedi and tell Dr. Birkenstock to stay away from her feet.

MARTHA CAN DO WHATEV SHE WANTS!

Love her! Totally fine with the dress but the shower shoes have got to go. A refined pump w/ a high, high heel and she's good to go.

Anyone else noticed that the combo of long bangs & high collar unflatteringly squashes her face?

As for the dress itself, I say slightly shorter hem, too. And also not both the high collar and the big sleeves. Pick one.

I don't have much to say about Martha, but I do love The Goonies. So, so very much. Ergo anything she does is fine. At least her hair is shiny.

I actually like it. I just think it should have like 5 inches chopped off the bottom. Or that the fabric would be good as wacky upholstery on a Louis XVI chair.

I like the general idea but she's lost in it, like she's been swallowed by a sofa. I'd make the top black with a more flattering neckline, keep the pattern in the skirt (away from her face) and change it to a pencil skirt. Add a pair of nice black pumps and do something more dramatic with her hair. Maybe a cute little pillbox hat? Or a fun clip.

i find myself strangely attracted to it.

I'm all for making it a sweetheart neckline. And maybe take an inch of the hem. I LOVE the pattern and the color!

WOW. Wow. Okay. Wow.

If it wasn't a mock turtleneck it would be A LOT better. People have mentioned a sweetheart neckline and that would be a major step in the right direction. That, and better shoes.

This is one of those dress or fabric choices. If you choose the fabric, you're gonna have to simplify the shape of the dress. But if you enjoy the shape, you're going to have to ditch the fabric. Both is too much.
The shape might be nice in a quirky color. I'm thinking an odd coral or a darker shade of the lime green. The fabric might look better on a strappy number or a shift dress, but that might look terribly homemade.
By the way, I don't like either. The fabric reminds me too much of The Sound of Music, though I could see a gleefully tongue-in-cheek Plimpton hanging off the side of the car with the rest of the Vantrapperboobenwhatever children.
The shape of the dress reminds me too much of the dress I wore to my Freshman Christmas Dance. That's never a good thing.

My first thought was that this is a vintage dress although I'll admit the fabric seems "over the top" for the 50's, (or would that have been the 60's?) Still, if constructed today it appears to have been inspired by vintage design which is a good thing in my mind -- I like constructed garments, not miniskirts draped on a stick figure.

I agree with the first post from Helen which suggests a portrait neckline -- that would be more "period" and perhaps a less "strident" and more "period" fabric choice would be an improvement.

The dress would be fab if it was one of those breezy full-length halter top numbers that Project Runway Oolie from Miami by way of East Germany used to whip up, only its not. It's a half sleeve turtleneck dress that makes her look bottom heavy. I don't get it. The only half-sleeve garment that is acceptable is a t-shirt. IMHO.

Hate the dress but her face looks cute. I love Martha Plimpton, she was super-cute on the Good Wife as a bitchy uber-pregnant lawyer.

Not a fan of the dress, but I could totally see the throw pillows. However, if it must be a dress, make it a sleeveless sheath with a scoop neck, and take a few inches off the bottom. Then we can talk.

Panniers? They went out in the 1700's. I like the mandarin collar with the daring fabric, but must we have so MUCH of it? At a minimum, lose the sleeves, remove half the hip yardage, and hem it up. Then get some nice plain pumps.

I just want to go on record as saying that I am THRILLED to see Martha Plimpton again. Even if she does look like she absorbed all of the wrong lessons from Dianne Wiest when they were filming "Parenthood" together and essentially BECAME her.

The style of the dress, combined with the way she's standing, remind me strongly of Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music. Which is not a bad thing - I love that movie and have watched it way too many times.

I can't believe this thread is 150-some comments on and no one yet has shared props for you for your most excellent Bill and Ted reference! That makes me feel old, which is most heinous. At any rate, party on dudes!

Wide scoopy neck and sleeveless, and it's perfect. She really looks great except for the neckline and sleeves.

I love Brenda Plimpton (I just watched Goonies the other day) and I am delighted to see her regardless of her clothing choice. I think she looks cute though - fun, lively, if a little bright and backwardsy.

Thanks for encouraging/allowing comments, Fug Girls! Have you ever noticed and/or been a little shocked by the fact that your commenters have an incredible command of language and grammar? You don't see very many well-rounded, intelligent comments or posts on most blogs. Here, it is blessedly the norm.

Famous last words! But yes, we are blessed.

i actually just hate the shoes. it's too much foot for such a retro dress. i like the pattern and color on her and don't even mind the severe neckline. But get my girl into some classy pumps!

shorten to to the knee, and use solid black as an accent (collar, belt, some kind of structured but not crazy yoke thing, even a cute little retro swing-bolero), and it becomes adorable. as it is, the pattern swallows the structure of the dress, which is cute.

But Martha Plimpton left the house y'all! We should be happy for just that! She WAS in the Goonies. AND she dated River Pheonix.... You HAVE to love M.Plimp!
BTW, if she got out more she could TOTALLY becom the next generation of SWINTONS... don't you think?

I love the fabric. I love the length. I love the top. But the skirt? Not so much.

I can't tell if it's just a really bulky skirt or it's trying to be one of those fab 1950s hostess dresses with the overskirt over a sheath skirt. IN WHICH CASE, it would be kind of awesome if the upholstery fabric made up the entire sheath, and the half-overskirt bit was in a black organza or moire or something. That would rock. Although maybe I'm just channeling Barbie fashions from when I was a little girl in the early '60s. Those were AWESOME.

Also? Martha Plimpton was terrific and cute as a button on "The Good Wife" a couple of nights ago, which successfully purged from my memory the terror that was her crazy-woman appearance on "7th Heaven."

I just caught The Goonies the other day and I was soo excited.

Also just wanted to say, does anyone else think that Celia from cycle 12 of ANTM looks JUST like her??

Also, the dress is ugly.

I like it, minus the shoes. It's snarky and sassy, ergo perfect in my eyes :)

As a sleeveless boatneck, this dress would work better.

I wouldn't do a thing to the top. I think the waist should extend farther down and be more fitted, flaring into an ankle-length A-line; I find the hips and length of this skirt to be extremely awkward and unflattering. The print is great though; not everyone could wear it, but she's rocking it.

Oh honey, no. The dress is wearing you. Naomi Campbell could wear this. Maybe.

Martha is adorable and talented - so darn rare. I love the dress but think she is too petite to really rock it the way Christina Hendricks could. For Martha I would get rid of the sleeves and add fierce black pumps.

I kind of like it. But I think I would love it if her shoes were sleeker (black slingback heels?) and if the sleeves were changed up a bit - cap sleeves maybe? Yes, that would do it.

Oh, and it would be better if her legs were the same color as the rest of her.

At first glance, I gasped outloud. Then, the more I looked at it and imagined it without a collar and de-poofed in the hips, I completely bought it.

Also, per the Coffee Bean post, Heather has twins? Congratulations!! Best wishes to you all.

Sorry, I'm too distracted by the image of Josh Jackson massaging my feet to have an opinion now...

great fabric. but too traditional-50s-housewife on top to work, especially with her sort of plain-jane looks. i think it would be very cute if the top were cut into a halter. or if the top were a black velvet halter. that would add drama and complement the patterned skirt.

From the waist up, love.
From the waist down, solid black pencil skirt shape, with a black belt. Change the shoe to some black satin killer stiletto's.
I love the vintage vibe.
It's good to her back.

Sorry, It's good to SEE her back.

How OLD is she anyway?
She looks so OLD in that dress - and I use caps for emphasis as I am OLD and that's what we OLD people DO.

Good LORD she looks old and I'm pretty sure she is younger than me.

Okay, yes, the dress, whatever. It's an eyesore as is and she could CLEARLY do so much better. And I too love Martha and think she's too pretty for such unfortunate color choices.
But I have to take exception with your reminder to "be excellent to one another." If you're going to quote Bill and Ted, PLEASE do it accurately.

"Be excellent to each other"
"Party on, dudes!"

It's my mantra. I'm a freak, I know.

This would be a really cute sundress if we lost the sleeves and some of the top so you got a nice deep v-neck.

In other news, The Goonies was totally on TV Tuesday night and I was so disappointed I missed it.

I think she looks lovely.

*ducks*

Sometimes I wonder if the monitor on which one views these photos makes all the difference. Earlier today I wanted to burn it, because it was the most hideous shade of nearly neon lime green. Now, on better home monitor, it looks more like softer yellow-green underneath. The dress is still overwhelming her and has to be reined in, but at least it's not burn-worthy anymore. Weird.

You're kidding. Is there a hedgerow in her bustle?

This is Martha Plimpton people; she got an undercut from Keanu Reeves, had pretend lesbian sex with Lily Taylor and was friends with River Phoenix. Girlfriend can wear whatever she wants!

Do over! =D

Even in a solid, the shape is problematic. Even in a nice shape, that print is problematic. There is no saving that dress from doom.

She looks GREAT from the neck up, though!

Forget the dress, wow, she looks great!

Is it bad that I adore the fabric? I agree that the shape isn't flattering, but there is still something I like about the dress as a whole. Maybe if it retained some of the volume, but didn't cover so much of her? Like, if it had a kind of updated New Look about it, with really amazing cleavage and a pouffy skirt.

I'd like to see the sleeves shortened slightly and the body of the dress turned into a knee-length sheath--so basically one of those "Chinese" style dresses with the frog closure at the neck (is there a name for those?).

Maybe make the heels a bit taller and we have ourselves a pretty hot outfit.

Anyone who was in The Goonies (when was that 1985?) and still looks this good, and this young, is all good in my book!

UGH! You cannot unfug that s$&#

I think she looks great. I like everything except for the shoes. Those look a little like pool slippers.

Okay, this looks like a late-'80s bridesmaid's dress that someone got radioactive waste on. De-fugging it--hmm. The chartreuse might not be so bad, but TOO MUCH PATTERN. Personally, I'd Asian-ate it. Mandarin collar, slim skirt, and reduce the volume of the pattern, making it delicately Oriental instead of loud abstract. And cut out the damn shoulder pads! There's a reason we stopped wearing those, you know.

Oh my heck - I didn't recognize her dressed as a girl! When did she stop being a tomboy??

I like the idea of the dress, but I think I'd either make it sleeveless, or change it to a boatneck; and I'd change the flow of the skirt - it hangs a little weird and makes her appear a bit matronly.

But I like the fabric and the length and all of that.

Goonies was one of my fav movies as a kid!

I really like the pattern and even the kind of weird neck & sleeves. A wide black belt would have cinched her in and given her a nice waist and broken up the pattern a bit. I don't like the weird skirt. Even out the hemline so it hits just below the knee and make it a bit fuller, 50's style. Finish with black patent pumps and viola, a pretty girl wearing a pretty dress that doesn't squish or reveal her lady bits. Very classy!

I love that Martha is rocking the dress as-is - she looks better than she did 20 years ago. The print and color are funky and cool, and she looks like a woman who is not afraid to look like a grown-ass woman. Pretty uncommon these days in Hollywood. But (and there always is a but), I would reccomend a few changes.

1. Nice black pumps
2. If keeping the top the way it is now, shorten the hemline and make it a pencil skirt.
3. Alternatively, make it a sweetheart neckline with sligtly shorter and less voluminous skirt.

I'd love to see this fitted from the waist down to the knee ah la pencil skirt and maybe some sexier shoes. Is it just me or is that peep toe more like gaping yawn?

I would put her in the dress she wore for the party in "200 Cigarettes" and then I would take this bad boy and burn it. (or turn it into curtains for the seniors home around the corner from me....)

I like it! Reminds me a little of Donna reed or June Cleaver, retro with a lot of 2009, Great out at night colors, Love it

The entire top of the dress would have been fantastic as a blouse. Matched up with cigarette pants,stilettos and a slender purse... perfection. Love the color on her. Not easy to pull off.

The dress is perfect, given the occassion -- The Princess Grace Awards -- which features established theatre, dance and film artists honoring younger talent.

In other words, she is supposed to be working a mature look here. And, I think she does it gracefully, with color and panache.

The skirt is too wide and looks ill fitted. The top half would be a-okay if the bottom was more pencil-skirt-esque.

But more to the point, this woman was in the Goonies and here she doesn't look a day over 25. Bravo.

I agree with TonyG, wondered if anyone else would notice that she's wearing a period dress at an event that honors Grace Kelly. I love the print and the color, at first I thought there was too much of it but I think it works. The shoes are detestable. She looks fantastic, I think the bustle draws attention to her tiny waist. Shrink-wrapping your ass is not the only way to be sexy.

Oh, and maybe the dress would hang differently if she weren't spreading it with her right hand? Also it appears that there is a closure on the bodice, that showing some decolletage was an option.

My first impression was June Cleaver on acid, then I read some of the comments.

I agree that a sweet little summer strapless dress would be fab in this fabric.

I also agree that she has grown into a very beautiful woman and that she is working this dress - however, the bustle thingy just makes it look dated. Maybe if the skirt part was a pencil skirt?

This is BY FAR one of the ugliest dresses I have ever seen in my life. Nothing can be done to save it. I'm really surprised by how many people like it!! I think they are getting confused because they like Martha. Hey, I like her too, but that dress is unforgiveable. Just because you don't like her dress doesn't mean that you don't like her.

I'd shorten the sleeves 2 inches or so, make the bottom either a pencil skirt or a full-on Dior New Look full skirt. Knee-length. And make the underlay white, ivory or champagne.

I think the fit is perfect, but I would hem it to just above the knee, or perhaps a little higher. Perhaps go a bit shorter on the sleeves. And open the neckline up to a deep v-shape.

And I would either put her a pair of cute black flats to complete the fifties vibe, or a kitten heels.

Chop the sleeves, make it a v-neck, and consider scooching the hem up a bit. The shoes look a tad frumpy, too.

I'm with the folks who question the shoes. The shoes are the real killer here.

Really, its either from a couch or the Junior High Formal collection of 1983.

It might work as a slim mini or pencil skirt with a monochrome top. Or even a fuller short skirt with a body-hugging black turtleneck.

Really, I just want to save it from this sad incarnation.

If it were purple and 1985, it would be a prom dress.
Bleah. And that color just mutilates her!
She needs to tone that whole thing down.

I love her, but it looks like it is on backwards and it's way too bottom heavy. Plus, the shoes are all wrong.

It is the daring nori/boston lettuce salad she should have eaten and now craves. It is the postmodern vestige of courtly dress that never made sense, but that at one time (hundred of years ago), one wore or were beheaded. It is a culinary, sartorial, historical manifesto! But: maybe sleeveless would be better, with a matte black belt, and less faux-hip padding. (If that shape is indeed the product of cheeky, hip-emulating materials.) And closed-toe shoes. Toes are too much detail worn with a dress with this much filigree. But kudos on the excellent posture, Miss Plimpton!

She looks like a staid 1950s matron with informal Marie Antoinette hoop dress - throwing on the mules to pop down to the local shops to buy a newspaper.

Ridiculous. I can't quite believe she was River Phoenix's first love. Oh well, I guess nothing will take that from her - even this tragic number.

wrong wrong wrong - she (anyone) can do so much better!

hey do you guys see how much like Diane Weist she looks - remember she played her daughter in Parenthood? How well cast was that?! That she grew up to look like her screen mum...anyway, the dress - um, it's great fabric and a cute design but there's too much of it. Nostalgic fabric & style like that could be balanced by a bit of a sexier, modern cut (shorter, low neck etc. (Daggy shoes and hair, too)

Remove the sleeves and the horrid mock turtle collar, and we might actually have the start of something fun, so long as she finds a better pair of shoes.

I will always heart Martha Plimpton, for she dated River Phoenix, and that meant she was wonderful. Not wonderful enough to get away with those sleeves, that collar, and those shoes, but definitely enough to get away with that pattern.

I was so excited to see Martha Plimpton on "The Good Wife". She was as awesome as ever. Get that girl a leading part. Also "The Mosquito Coast" as the preacher's daughter = one of my faves.

When girls/women are this cool and interesting it doesn't matter what they wear. She makes it cool and interesting by association.

See, I have never been one to believe that MPlimp is either cool OR interesting OR for that matter particularly attractive, so maybe I'm just prejudiced when I say that this is just wrong on about ten thousand levels. It *does* appear to be on backwards, it's way too much of that brocade print to come off as anything but slightly vertiginous, and that particular shade of green is vile on her. It's like Wicked without the squee.

That being said, if this were a sleek sleeveless sheath dress with a simple neckline, I think I could deal with it. Worn with those certain black Louboutin peep toe platforms in patent, it might actually be quite fabulous. Assuming her feet themselves aren't as Cavemanny-neglected as they appear to be in this shot.

oh god.

it needs to be shorter, skinnier, and on Victoria Beckham.

I LOVE ME SOME MARTHA P.

All i can do at this is stare. and giggle to myself.

There is no salvaging any part of this. It should all be scrapped so she can start over.

And I am totally feeling your fictional relationship with Pacey...

New Canaan, Connecticut. 1978. This is Dody Fox's mom,just home from a cocktail party. I am so baffled. The shoes!! ?? The hair do!?