I am going to a ball - I got the dress (I hope) but am stuck on accessories - please help me I don't do formal

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

This is my first ball and I am going stag as dh is staying at home with the kids. Though if he came I would only have to listen to him complain about the music, refuse to dance and generally be a pain - so better off without him. Nonetheless I really need to feel confident in how I look if I am a lone cinderella iyswim. So...

The dress = this

But as I am an 18 I probably going to need some kind of shrug?? and a bag and shoes - I don't actually own any heels and I am assuming a pair of maroon doc shoes are not going to suffice or even my best party silver birkenstocks!?? See I don't do formal I have boots with a heel and that is it. I am 5'8" and dh is shorter so I tend to stick to flats. My feet are large (probably an 8 in heels and wide as well) so it is hard to find girly shoes to fit.

So please guide me I am without a clue....

would these shoes look ok? black platformy

pleads for help confiused by shoes and bags

The dress is lovely, I'm not very good on shoes and bags. Do the style challenge thing on here click get styled, might give you some ideas.

I think those shoes are lovely but they are quite high if you're not used to heels. However if you think you'll manage then go for it.

You'll definitely want a shrug - Monsoon usually very good for choice as they seem to have a shrug to go with every dress they sell.

As for bag, you want a neat little clutch - maybe something a bit sparkly.

I do not profess to be a style guru but have done quite a few black-tie affairs over the years!

HTH

Thank you for replying

I am intrigued with the style page so I will give that a go cheers.

The shoes make me 6 foot which would be fun - I hoped that the platformyness would help with walking in them but may need to ponder that one and may need a roomy bag to put my trusty 'stocks in though to ensure I don't snap an ankle or two on the way home...

But is black accessories the right choice or silver or blue or ???

Maybe silver, I like silver and blue and it would go with the detailing on the dress. I agree those shoes look very high, how about something like this?

Thanks acsec though shoes are really pretty but I suspect would not fit my big fugly feet which need to be safely packed away in closed toe shoes for everyones sake believe me

I do need to look at lower heels though - I just think I am giddy at the thought of being allowed to wear heels for the evening I worn some wedges that are quite high so I have had some practice.

new look have a good range of wide party shoes, you should try there

I did the style website but not sure I did it right as they kept giving me choices where I liked 'none of the above' or did not know who the 'style icons' were - so it may not really get my preferences still I did me best and will see what they try and sell me.

OK, have now linked to the right dress and seen that it is blue! Silver or blue shoes definitely

Maybe these or these.

Personally I'm loving the blue ones but wouldn't want to be the one to have to walk in them!

right off to bed now as my head is swirling with shoes bags and glitter and boleros and I wil not make any rational purchases now. Thank you for setting me off on right path I will revisit with fresh eyes on the morrow. Cheers.

maybe?

perhaps?

?

this seller has many

these fellas would do a great job for shoes
Do you have a decent bra sorted?
Good earrings?

shrugs are generally hell but I like this
it's incredibly cool and beautiful

Good morning I appreciate the new links thank you acsec and Perry

Earrings are out as I am unpierced I don't wear much jewellery since kids were born and my night life effectively ended so my jewellery box has some immature looking costume junk and nowt grown up. Christ this ball attending lark is going to be expensive! I really could do with a fairy godmother.

Bra - hmm I have a strapless slip with built in bra which should do the trick and the pants for slimming tummy and thighs ...

are these shoes naff?

No bigmouth I like them! Do any of your friends have a shrug you could borrow, or how about a silvery pashmina?

I agree silver or pewter shoes/bag.

Be wary of shrugs, as I do think sometimes just looks like you trying to cover up so makes people think you need to Dress looks gorgeous, so just wear it with pride

If the wedges are the exact colour of the dress then yes. otherwise no

Good point Perry, silver is probably safer.

See, I would say that if you're not used to wearing heels, then Clarks is your friend.

These?

Or basically any shoe that is comfortable enough for you to be able to dance the night away.

If you want to stick to flats, I know it's probably the wrong season, but a pair of grecian style sandals in silver would look amazing with that dress. I agree that you need a simple but sparkly clutch bag, preferably with a wrist strap.

Gorgeous dress btw!

needs to be wide though

Excellent point about the colour of the shoes that is the problem with buying online along with the whole trying on thing... Shoes in particular I prefer to try on but living in the middle of nowhere and not a driver it is tricky.
I really cannot face open toes though even peep toes are probably out which seems to narrow the choice considerably in silver. Can't face ruining the purty dress with my fugly toes on display. (Hang up alert)

I do wonder if a shrug would ruin the look. But I will have to try the dress on and consider.

did you hate the shoes i linked to?
small heel
silver
wide
pointy