The mission if you choose to accept it....

[2toddlersandme]

Accessorize this...(please!)

THE dress

I found it on another thread and love it. Perfect for my sister's wedding. But I have no idea what to wear with it. Shoes definitely (it's not THE wedding, but I think shoes will still be expected); a cardigan/jacket (wedding is in the States, but not a particularly hot bit unfortunately). No hats (thank god) - maybe a bracelet?

My other accessory is 2 small children so need comfy shoes, and I have huge feet (size 42). Get on OK with Clarks, Jones the Bootmaker, 9West (sometimes), M&S (but not sure I should admit that here). Never made it to the dizzying heights of Hobbs or LK Bennett but maybe now is the time.

The other constraining factor apart from the huge feet is that I don't actually live in the UK anymore, but will be in London for 3 days before flying out to the wedding. Will get the dress delivered and pray it fits. But would be v helpful to have a checklist to help me with the other bits. (Quite a straightforward one as I will also be jetlagged).

Thank you :)

The dress is lovely but be cautious with LKB, they are awful about returns - so if ou can get to a shop and try it first, you might be better off. (not sure if only with damaged things, they might be fine to exchange sizes but a lot of people have had issues with taking things back).

My feet are also a 42, sometimes a 41, depending - Hobbs shoes are very generous in my experience, so it's one to try. They have a bit of a sale at the moment I think (was last week anyway).

I would go with some fairly rich coloured shoes, maybe a purple, deep red, even something in a burnt orange - again try Hobbs sale - to contrats and stand out with such a dark dress. Keep the heels lowish maybe for walking about, if they haven't been worn in first!

I would wear an actual coat with that frock - not as long as the dress, slim fitting with maybe a belt, to wrap around if it isn't very warm. Cardis on slim fitting dresses are hard to get right as they usually sit awkwardly at the waist. Though (again) Hobbs have a beautiful cardigan, very fine and fitted with butterfly embroidery. Will try to find you some links in a minute.

One more thing, what ARE you doing up so early!!!

Try here, can't find butterfly one atm but there's a similar one at the bottom and plenty of these are fitted and would look good.

Thank you Ingrid! I was thinking of ordering via John Lewis as you can return to them directly. Do you think that would be OK?

Hoobs for shoes sounds good. And love the colour ideas. I was thinking black which is tooo boring.

Like the cardi's - would you get a matching cardi and shoes or would that be too 'matchy'. I would love to be the sort of person who wore orange, but I'm fair and makes me look washed out. Would a deep red look OK?

And I live in New Zealand so wasn't up worrying about my fashion crises in the middle of the night :)

Thanks so much for finding the time to reply!

I think a rich dark red for shoes would be lovely - and if you are fair would look lovely with your colouring too.

I'd be inclined to be cautious about matching shoes/cardi for fear of over matchiness as you say...however, because the dress is so simple and stylish, it might actually be OK.

I'd probably go for a pashmina, I have to say (might get a beating for saying that on here!!!! )

Oh I think dark red would be lovely. Also, ordering via JL should be absolutely fine. It's just the LKB concessions in shops I think that tend to be v arsey about returns. Hope you find some lovely things

I'd get a shrug like this or this (I favour the second one) and go with deep red shoes like these or these... Or even snakeskin like these or sensible clarks

I wore a similar Navy Vivienne westwood anglomania dress to a wedding this weekend, and teamed them with

these in size 42

and a friend lent me this:

gorgeous clutch

Plus a sage green/bronze/gold pearl choker and wide cuff.

I felt fab!

Thanks everyone. Fab ideas.

I love all the shoes, but the most practical look like Tether's Clark's option.

Second opinions?!

What shrug would you wear with that? Any of your Hobbs cardi's go Ingrid?

And a cheaper version of the clutch? (Which is gorgeous, but this is already stacking up to be quite an expensive wedding what with trans-Pacific airline flights for 4 thrown in!).

And liking the idea of the choker Mcholet - do you have a link? (Also do you have a link for your dress so I have a back up plan :)

I have to say this is a fantastic service! Clothes shopping in NZ is pretty limited (cheap Chinese tat vs super pricey designer stuff) so I'm a bit out of practice. Thanks so much everyone.

2toddlersandme It was this one in Navy:

VW dress

Jewellery was handmade for me, so no link i'm afraid....

Peony & Moore have £15 off anything for easter, Easter11 was the code if that helps!!

Gorgeous dress. You must have looked fantastic.
And how amazing having the cuff made for you.
Thanks for the money off voucher - I'll think about it!