I like both too, it is a pretty colour and will look more vibrant in summer when out in the sunshine. Regarding the hospital gown comment, now you have said it, I can see it, but that did not come to mind when I looked at the pictures. You have to be OK with the association though. Personally I love vibrant pink, but there is the 'Barbie Pink' association of wearing pink and having blonde hair. I just laugh it off and say I wish I was ageless and had Barbie's amazing figure to match!

Museum docent is arty and intellectual, a vibe I would not mind cultivating at all, wonder if I could pull that off in my pink?

I really like no 1. I think it’s good you are going to try the smaller size too, for comparison. The color is lovely on you. This dress will be very versatile and fun to accessorize.

I didn't think about hospital gowns until you said it. As someone said its probably the colour but there is lots you can do to change the vibe. The colour suits you and I think if you add accessories, it will be very versatile. I find loose dresses like that in summer really comfortable.

The simple cut of a linen dress like this is always alluring to me, either. BUT I know what your hubby reffers to unfortunatelly when trying them on I was feeling exactly like that. I think is not only the color but the lack of any other detail. I think a barrel cut would be much better and some lower more open neckline and/or some visual interest with stitching, some big pockets, or even a big fold on front down from the Vneck would help a lot. Otherwise I really love this sage green/mint color! You can also play a little with accessorizing it- the blingy flat sandals are gorgeous with it and you can add long accent pendant- I like the longer length better.(nr 1)

I like #1 for “museum docent”-ness.
Husbands are fun but cannot always be fully trusted on these matters.

Oh, I feel like I'm in the minority, but I much prefer #2 -- that neckline wins me over. #1 definitely looks too big to my eye. The length of #2 looks good on you. I do love the color, too.

I wish I could take credit for “museum docent wear”, but it’s definitely an apt description for EF. A few years we were on a road trip through the Southwest, and stopped in Santa Fe. They have twelve museums, with a population of less than 70,000. And they have an EF store.

My initial reaction is same as Janet -- I much prefer #2 because of the button detail and the V-neck creates more of a shape.

oh, Smittie, so well-put!

Well l preferred #1 for the length but now hospital gowns have been mentioned......can you and hubbie move past the image that thought has created?

My husband clarified his opinion: he said the bagginess reminded him of a hospital gown, not the color. The fabric is nicer than a hospital gown.

I like the length of #1 but prefer the neckline of #2. My overall preference is for 2, but I understand the concern about length. How does it feel when you raise your arms? That can be a deal breaker for me. Great colour on you!

I have to admit I wasn’t that keen on either... the bagginess and plainness. I preferred 2 as having a little more detail. Hopefully a size down will fit better in 1 and you can make it interesting with accessories?

The talk of hospital gowns and things men say made me laugh as I remembered an incident at work. It was Diwali the indian festival and I was wearing a white sawar kameez. I was also scheduled for surgery that week (but not that day). One of my male colleagues said "when is your surgery?" I said "tomorrow". He said "oh I thought you were going in today and that was your hospital gown?". He wasn't being fasetious or cheeky. He was actually serious. As if a hospital would give me a gown and allow me to then go wandering around my work place on the way to the hospital. Sorry that was off topic.

I prefer #1. The colour is lovely on you. I worked in a hospital for most of my career, and that dress is definitely not at all like a hospital gown. Those gowns did not have backs!
I love the silver sandals with the colour.

I like both with a slight preference for the long length in the first one, which gives it more of a polished vibe, vs. the second one that feels a little more casual. Beautiful colour for you too!

“Museum docent vibe” - hahahah! Love that phrase - may I borrow it?
I like both of these - what a fabulous color on you! - but it seems like 2 isn’t what you are going for. Good you ordered the other size in #1. Have you tried steaming #1? Not because of wrinkles, but because a really thorough steaming can soften up stiff linen so that if falls better - more like it will after it’s been laundered.
Did you go to Spirit Clothing on the square in Santa Fe? Definitely “museum docent” vibe, specifically the docent who may have purchased and donated the artwork she’s describing to visitors.

@JAileen —Cannot wait to see how the smaller #1 looks. It’s my favorite, and doesn’t look hospital at all to me. But then I love, love Santa Fe, the museums, the EF store, the food. Will be there twice this summer!
@Smittie — how true.
@Sally — how funny.

Thank you, everyone, for your humor, honest opinions, and experiences.