Can you help me look unfrumpy in my new dress?

[mistressploppy]

I've just bought this navy linen frock in Laura Ashley. I'm really tall and so the length is not as long as it look in the pic, IYSWIM.

I love it but what can I wear it with so as to be comfy but not mumsy? I'm a size 16 with a disproportionately fat bum. I look like a tranny in high heels because I'm nearly 6ft...

Help me, pleeease....

"....as it LOOKS in the pic..." doh

I think it's nice and personally I'd go a bit 1940s retro with it, maybe a necklace of chunky round beads and a pair of 40s style kitten heels?

Ooh, I have <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=clarks+t+bar+shoes&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbnid=fg1asSW_gZCBkM:&imgrefurl=www.shoewawa.com/2007/09/clarks_make_dre.html&ei=HLudTZynH9rY4waaorXUBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=503&vpy=363&dur=1165&hovh=120&hovw=160&tx=84&ty=98&oei=BrudTYiHDMjM4gbR89jGBA&page=4&tbnh=120&tbnw=160&start=64&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:64&biw=1274&bih=580" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">these, would they work or will I look like a weird nanny?

I'm liking the 40s vibe.

You could also wear it in lieu of a jacket - eg unbuttoned at the top with a red-striped long or 3/4 sleeved Breton cotton t-shirt and sand coloured cropped chinos underneath. Espadrille style wedges.

Maybe navy leggings would work? With bright patent leather shoes eg red or yellow.

I need to do some work, don't I, not style strangers on the internet

You could wear that a few ways. I like the bright patent/1940s suggestions.

A chunky gold or silver necklace and/or bangle and some tan sandals with small wedge heel would make it more summery and daytime-ish.

mistress ploppy I think you shoudl go for the heels- I'm 5 9 and NEVER look like a tranny in heels, in fact feel more girly

kitten heels frumpyfying IMO

I would wear wooden platform sandals, and some chunky wooden beads, hoops in my ears and hang the consequences

Yes, big chunky heels, chunky necklace.
Not big earrings as well though.

De trop

I'd lose the belt and use a woven leather one in tan or conker brown.

I'm going to start doing some work in a minute, I promise.

This is much more fun than work

I think those shoes would work well OP (why would you look like a weird nanny?) - could go with blood-red beads as well.

Or, hoop earrings and a silk neck scarf/headscarf and flats (espadrilles maybe?)

I also need to go and do work and not style strangers over the internet....

But you're all right this is way way more fun.

This is great, thanks folks; maybe I should hold proper interviews and actual pay someone to style me

You need a bright pink shiny handbag.

Brilliant; YOU get the job, Colditz

Ohhhh :(

No fair. I spent all afternoon yesterday diligently avoiding my work imagining accessories and then colditz strides in here with her pink shiny handbag and snaffles my job!

Good point, Quod - ok, you get the actual job, Colditz gets a special prize for originality.

Now, how much is your current place paying you?