mutton dressed as a lamb?

[LeMousquetaireAnonyme]

If I wear that
dress and those
shoes, will I look like a mutton dressed as a lamb?

I am 42, going to the embassy ball for the 14th of july (smart casual) but have to be bleu, red or white. I think the outfit is appropriate for the occasion (I went last year) not sure about my age though, if I was 10 years younger I would be wearing it, no doubt about that. Not sure about now. 5'8", so dress above the knee, small 12 (i.e I fit in size 10 but it is really tight and , size 12 a bit baggy).

WWYD?

[LuckyMrsT]

The dress is gorgeous and fine at 42 if you are in good nick.

The shoes are utterly hideous. What are you thinking???? They look like the sort of sandals old ladies with foot pain wear. There is nothing 'lamb' about them Madame.

[SnapesOnAPlane]

It's already quite a baggy dress, and if you're getting a 12 then that's going to drown you, imo.
But nothing mutton dressed as lamb about it

[CaptainKirksNipples]

Mutton shoes - oh dear! Dress looks very casual too but not like a young person would wear

[Tortington]

i think the whole outfit is dull sorry!

[MadameCastafiore]

Will look like a scak of potatoes - you need something a bit more elegant.

[aftereight]

I like the dress but saw it instore £11.99 a few days ago, and thought it more of a cheapy beach dress as it has a drawstring waist.

[LeMousquetaireAnonyme]

Ha! but I want dull, I don't want to be noticed (i.e. blend with the walls/trees).

shoes are highly fashionable (probably too much for a 42 yo) and look nice on the foot, not old woman at all. at lucky

[WineAndPizza]

Those shoes are not highly fashionable. Sorry.

Don't you need something a bit smarter for an occasion like that? I think you can do better than that dress too, it's pretty shapeless and bland.

[jumpinghoops]

I have the shoes in red and get constant compliments when I wear them :) But I think the whole outfit seems too casual for a 'smart casual' occasion. Nice dress, nothing to do with your age- but the drawstring waist is def quite beachy.

[LeMousquetaireAnonyme]

It is more "beach party" than "embassy ball", the 14th of july is like the 4th of july BBQ, you don't dress up for it, even at the embassy. I am just concerned that I am showing too much legs for my age even if they are still OKish.

[Mumbrane]

The dress isn't muttonous at all, it's very chic. The nude colour and the fact that no cleavage is on show means it's OK to show some leg, I would say.

The shoes are awful, though, and not dressy enough.

[notyummy]

If it is a casual affair then that dress is appropriate and not muttony. Hard to carry off though without looking spudish unless you are you are all long toned, bronze limbs.... (Sorry - 5 8 and size 10/12 is IN NO WAY big, but I am taller and slightly smaller and think I would opt for a cut that is easier to carry off.)

[DoraJarr]

shoes are horrible

[DrNortherner]

The dress is nice, effortlessly chic imo. Shoes are wrong though, you need nude platform heels, maybe with a peep toe.

[worldgonecrazy]

I like the dress but think it is a bit informal. Probably okay at 42 if you're in good nick.

The shoes are like some my Grandma used to wear, and she was never known for her sartorial elegance. I hate them.

[ggirl]

hmm I like both the dress and the shoes

[sue52]

The dress is good the shoes are not. The dress is in no way mutton, rethink the shoes.

[TapselteerieO]

It sounds like you know it is the right style for the event and if you feel good/ comfortable then wear that outfit.

Definitely not in mutton territory.

[wicketkeeper]

Dress is too beachy. Shoes are too clumpy. Go for a dress with more structure, and a lower hemline, and a lighter looking pair of shoes. There's nothing screams mdal louder than an inappropriate hemline, even if you do have the legs for it. Sorry, but you did ask.

[monkeysmama]

The shoes are great - a nice take on Swedish Hasbeens which whether you like it or not are very fashionable (in the sense that they've been all over the fashion press / on famous feet for a few years) I think it sounds appropriate for the occasion you've described. Have fun.

[noddyholder]

I love it. I am 45 and have dresses like that. Not keen on the shoes a bit nursey but also really don,t like nude platforms they are everywhere and look like the feet on mannequins. I would get some really nice high strappy shoes and fake tan.

[MumblingRagDoll]

Those shoes ARE fashionable but the colour makes them look all "Clarks-ish"...I agree the dress is too sack like. It might look good on a bronzed 20 year old...

[WhoseGotMyEyebrows]

I think the outfit is cute. As long as you are sure it will be smart enough (never been to an embassy ball!) the go for it.

[meltedchocolate]

Also agree that the shoes are in just now. If you like that outfit then buy it, it certainly isn't mutton dressed as lamb.

[Pin0t]

If those shoes are "in", I am running "out" as fast as I can. Absolute granny-hooves.

The dress is chic, I like.