It's probably a genuine compliment, unless the giver is someone with a track record of being catty.

(Mary and Marlene, me too! But I don't think I'll change because I'm not catty and mean it simply as a genuine compliment, so I've no problem with it.)

I never thought about it either, but it is totally something I would say too!

I think it depends on the situation and who it is coming from. I'd say compliment though.

Now once, I dressed up as an angel/devil for Halloween and had a co-worker tell me wow you look really pretty with make up on, and then stumble all over themselves to say I should wear it more often and oh not that I don't look pretty without it, etc... I thought I'd used a heavy hand for Halloween, as I don't wear much normally and had on fake eyelashes and tons of eye makeup and lipstick. LOL

Definitely a compliment, unless it's said with a sense of surprise.

Phew! Thanks, ladies.

I NEVER thought of this compliment as negative in any way - until it's other possible meaning was pointed out to me. Now, and it's *very* unfortunate, I hold both meanings in my head as a frame of reference. I wish I didn't :(. But 90% of the time, I think that the intention of this compliment is positive.

I do think that staying "you look nice!" is a better message. Now I make a million percent sure that I leave the *today* part off just in case.

I'd say 99% of the time its a compliment.

I can imagine a few situations where it wouldn't be though: e.g. said in a sarcastic voice when I've woken up with makeup smeared on my face and still wearing my pajamas at 4pm (yes it happens sadly!!!)

This thread reminds me of being told never to say something like: "You look nice in that dress," which could be taken as a backhanded compliment. Instead the dress always has to "look nice on you."

To me , it's a compliment. But it's more than that. It's code for 'I enjoy style and you look like someone who does too. Can we chat about it?'

I think it's a straight compliment, to read more into it is to overanalyze the giver's meaning and frame of mine. I've said this same thing many, many times and never intended that the person didn't usually look nice. As someone else said, to me it just means the person looks ESPECIALLY NICE.

Angie, I would take it as a compliment and assume that the person meant well.

I had to chuckle, though, about the *today* part. A girlfriend and I found this plate when we were shopping in Germany. We had a good laugh over it, hoping that we were special EVERY day and just not TODAY. We each bought one, and I bring mine out on birthdays in honor of whichever family member is celebrating their birthday. It's a family tradition now and the birthday honoree always has a good laugh when they find the plate at their place setting.

YIKES!! This is what happens when political correctness and excessive analysis run amuk -- we're left questioning our every word, no matter how well intentioned! I think we can trust to the obvious consensus on this question and praise people's outfits without reserve.