Help Me Accessorise this Dame Viv frock

[Ifancyashandy]

I adore it!

It's for an evening wedding - all the guests are only going to the evening, actual marriage is for B&G & their immediate family. It's a city wedding, end of September. I'm wearing black suede heels (simple but v. high & narrow heel).

I'm thinking of grey & pearl pearls but huge, slightly over the top. The neckline actually sits slightly lower than in photo & you can see my collar bone. I'm tall, short dark bob and have a long neck but only ever wear simple hoops or diamond studs in ears.

But thought I'd throw it out there to you style gurus! What say yea oh Wise Ones?! Bag wise, I have a black patent box clutch. Do I need a cocktail ring? What about my unadorned wrists? Budget of about £50ish for necklace. Same again for ring/bracelets (but would love to spend less!).

Oh and I hate Butler and Wilson tat glitz!

[Ifancyashandy]

Bah. I mean a grey pearl and pearl pearl necklace.

[FrancesFarmer]

Lovely dress, cocktail ring would be great but not essential.

[worldgonecrazy]

As soon as I saw the picture I thought "posh gloves", maybe slightly longer than wrist length?

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Ooh yum! And that you can wear such a high neck. I think you just need to be careful that the necklace doesn't intefere with the draping at the neck though. I'd go for a ring or a cuff but not both.

Can't help with ideas because I only ever wear silver-coloured bracelets from cheapo shops like Warehouse or Topshop.

[Ifancyashandy]

Thanks for ideas.

Strangely, a necklace does work with it - old Viv knows what she's doing when she styles them with her signature chokers! - but I don't want to look too 'Westwooded up' IYKWIM? Just can't decide between a long or short one?

Think definitely a big blingy ring. Not sure about gloves - not really 'me' but thank you for thought!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Have you got any pics of necklaces you're debating?

[Ifancyashandy]

Imagine this WITHOUT the tassels. The tassels are wrong! And this is an idea - not dead set on it. I've got an over the top white pearl choker but that looks too daytime IMO.

The neckline of the dress is much more draped than appears in the pictures.

Thoughts?

[steamedtreaclesponge]

Honestly? I'd skip the necklace and go for mahoosive earrings instead. But since you don't really do big earrings, I'd probably go for really long ropes of black or grey pearls. I tend to layer them and knot the longest rope at the bottom for a bit more interest. The necklace you linked to is fine, but it looks a bit dated to me.

Cocktail ring - definitely. Gloves could look nice but I always find them a bit fiddly to wear in practice.

[onelily]

I absolutely love the dress, specially the colour. Very vibrant. Pearls would look elegant, but i would go with something trendy, how about this OR this and a nice bag
Btw keep minimal make up and a nice french knot, add some studs.And also i wud prefer some tan colour shoes

[Ifancyashandy]

Steamed I have considered big earings but am scared! Any suggestions? Chandelier ones? Black diamanté?

Onelily I quite like the 2nd necklace you linked to but would want the pearls to go all round - not on a ribbon I think. The 1st one is nice but not me. And Nooo to tan shoes! Royal family killed them at Zara's wedding . And apart from that, I've already bought these

[Ifancyashandy]

Oh and hair will be down as have short, jaw length bob.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Mmm not sure about the necklace you linked to tbh, even minus the tassels. I think it could veer into cheapening the look of the dress, sorry. Agree that a long rope of grey pearls could work - personally I wouldn't do black as I think it could look rather too 80s.

If I was wearing that dress (which I wouldn't because the neckline is too high for me!) I'd have grey heels and bag and silver jewellery.

[Ifancyashandy]

Oh and Steamed love the idea of lots of layered ropes of pearls! And apologies for not getting everything in one post!

[onelily]

the shoes are lovely, bt jst imagine urself wearig a pretty wine pink colour dress, with some pearls and black shoes..i jst had a mini heart attack :)

[LadyClariceCannockMonty]

I wouldn't wear a necklace at all with this. I think the neckline is perfect as it is.
I'd go for a simple but striking, oversized cuff-type bracelet in silver or maybe grey, if you could find a grey one in interesting textured materials e.g. suede or leather. Sorry, can't think of any shops/brands off top of head ...

[onelily]

i agree the necklace at ebay is hideous, u have such pretty dress, why waste it on some really bad neck piece

[Ifancyashandy]

Onelily I don't understand the 'heart attack' comment - sorry! You mean it'll look dreadful ? Is it the pink/black combo? I am tall and dark haired / olive skin and can take contrasting colours. The pearls (if they happen) will be grey not white.

And LadyClarice am vering towards cuff and earrings and let the dress do the talking.

[Ifancyashandy]

Sorry, I clearly didn't make it clear enough - it was never going to be that necklace. It was purely to show the colour of pearls / length.

[onelily]

abt the shoe's colour, i meant. it will look too contrasting evn though you can take contrasting colours. still look for some options in tan colours

[LadyClariceCannockMonty]

OP, great, I think earrings will look really good with your short hair. I must say I agree with those who aren't sure about the black shoes ? there's nothing wrong with contrasting but I think black accessories are a bit heavy and, dare I say it, might look rather old-fashioned ...
I'd go for shoes in nude, or a pale gold/other pale metallic colour (not silver, something with some warmth to it) if you want to 'evening' it up. Or, to really work the contrast thing, deep-orange shoes!

[Ifancyashandy]

Sorry Onelily I disagree on the tan shoes thing. Dated and ageing I think. Sorry.

[Ifancyashandy]

X posts! Ok, the shoes are a given and believe me, they work! Viv Westwood is all about the 'va va voom' and I am a curvy (30dd) size 10. The black shoes are vampy and I love the look. Just the jewels to be decided! But not to say I'm not thankful for input!

[steamedtreaclesponge]

Feather earrings are everywhere at the moment, and I think they can look amazing - I love these and these are quite nice too. They're nice and light so they don't hurt your ears, and they make a real impact, too.

I wouldn't go for diamante with that colour dress as it'll be too Material Girl.

[steamedtreaclesponge]

I think the black shoes are fine, btw, but you need an accent colour or you'll end up looking like you've been shopping in Hobbs. Can you get a clashing bag? Orange or green look stunning with pink. Or coloured earrings (like the feathers) would provide a pop of colour without overwhelming the outfit.

[Ifancyashandy]

I love that first pair Steamed! Even if they do scare the living bejesus out of me, despite being tall with a long neck! They'd have to be black though! A) I think they'd suit the dress better and b) as a stud or hoop wearer, I would feel too self conscious in earrings that were long and coloured! .

But take all thoughts on board and gonna go for cuff and earrings combo and possibly a ring too.