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....

Oh no Perry those are pretty but I would need to work on my heels which are not (see hang up) the kitten heel scares me a little as I have a tendency to twist my ankle which kitten heels look like they are designed to do!? But how I can think 5 inch platform's are not going to be worse probably defies logic

Agree with lostlady re shrug - if you are uncomfortable about the amount of flesh on show I would have a fake tan - not a full on TOWIE job, but a just come back from a long weekend in the Canaries look.

Added bonus of making you look slimmer.

lovley dress - i think silver sandals (go and have a pedicure!), no necklace but some pretty dangly sparkly silver clip on earrings and a silver clutch - no no no shrug/pashmina! you wont need one!

walk tall and smile! you will look FAB!

Not sure about fake tan I am incredibly freckly especially across back and shoulders (very pale and gingery hair), so I have always thought tanning would look a bit strange, I am aware of the slimming effect though...

I know I am being wierd about the shoes I just think delicate pretty sandals look lovely on other people but they seem the wrong proprtions for my massive feet I haven't got fat ankles but I am not delicately built, large sticky out ankle and wrist bones (struggle with bracelets as well) broad shooulders etc. so 'delicate' always makes me feel like I am in drag.

sorry this is turning into Bigmouths satorial therapy session.

SARtorial even

ooh what about these??? silver sparkly and wide

what about something like this

right what about these fellas for shoes

these shoes?

mental but interesting as an idea

Wow thanks Perry - loads of ideas there I especially like the regency dandy shoes I could accessorise with a frilly shirt and carry a bottle of absinthe! They are fun I do like a bit of originality - I am tempted by the shiny shoes also...

I found these on the stylistic site. I really likey but the purple shade of the heel probably wouldn't work.

ironic that they are slingback and peep toes fickle and feckless that is me.

ooh ooh and I love this jewellry shiny shiny but it is probably ott for the dress in question.

The jewellery (sp?) is a bit much for the neckline of the dress. The shoes are pretty but look high and narrow. I saw someone wearing those Irregular Choice blue dandy shoes! Cool but not with that dress. Maybe some shiny silver ballet pumps would be good.

You are of course correct Perry - y'see I think this is why I do not wear heels (among all the other reasons) - I get excited see nice shoes can't get my feet into them and am left with the choice of old lady court shoes or flats and generally buy some dm shoes ...

stamps hefty foot -

maybe I should wear the birkies they are silver

no. you are not wearing birkenstocks.

your feet are perfectly catered for on numerous sites we just have to agree on a style and go find it
someone up thread said a clutch with a wrist strap which sounded nice

I won't werar the birkies but maybe I will have to accept open toeness genrerally as a solution but don't your feet get cold it being december and all? I suppose blue feet will match the dress?

I measured my feet and am eee fit according to vivaladiva.

Oh yes I will get a clutch I am watching loads on ebay currently there are some very cute bags not had a clutch before, sounds grown up which at 37 I really should be aiming for.

I am going to be brave and post a recent pic so you can point and laugh judge what you are attempting to style.

'K I have ordered 4 pairs of shoes 2 from Evans (that silver slingback and some black glittery platforms) and two from la redoute and out of that lot should come a shoe I can wear.

Then I will get the bag.

now I will rest.... thank youPerry

mwah
any old time..it was nice thanks

Disaster strikes!!!

tHE DRESS DOESN'T Fit MY BLOODY E cup bosom - sorry I will stop shouting.

So it has to go back and now I am straight back to the start of my search without dress. [clueless]

I need to buy online as I have little opportunity for going on an extended clothes shop I and trying to shop for dresses properly with a 3 yo in tow is pointless anyway.

sob .... I thought I had it sorted and this is the 2nd dress I have had to return ...

Bravissimo? They know how to deal with norks

www.bravissimo.com/pepperberry/products/dresses-and-skirts/evening-dresses/drape-maxi-dress/ruby/cb08ru/?show=16&sort=1

Ooh thanks Herman that is a lovely dress - not sure about the colour for me but it is always hard to tell the actual shade in a pic.

Not heard of the site before either.