I'm late on the band wagon, I know. But can you give me a style guide to wearing tea dresses?

[InventingAnAllNewMe]

I want to start wearing tea style dresses in the day time, but after a long time breastfeeding when I avoided dresses for tops that could be hoicked up, I seem to have missed the boat a bit.

So, fill in the blanks for me please:

What are the shoe options with a tea dress? (I hate heels in the day)

If its chilly what do you put over them? Style of Jacket? Cardigan?

Can navy and black be mixed these days or is that still taboo?

What about tights? Nude, black or navy depending on the dress colouring?

i wear them most days at work. They are a really flattering style for my shape. With tights, skinny jeans or leggings. Dolly type shoes with a low heel, or ankle boots. Cardigan, shrug or cropped jacket. I always get told I look nice at work. Navy and black is fine!!! And I am a retail manager. I need to have a smart casual look, and it's perfect for me.

Often wear lacy shrugs or fine knit cardigans

Hmm, easy questions first:

Navy and black can definitely be mixed
Tights definitely dress / weather dependent

Shoe options - unfortunately I'm a heel addict . Seriously though, only wear long boots with them if there is a gap between the top of the boot and the hem of the dress.
For flats, you're probably better to go with a brogue style, rather than ballet.

Covering - could be a decent pashimina / scarf, a short cardigan or the grandfather variety, depending on formality and weather. A slightly fitted coat, (but not too flared) can also look good.

For some 'looks' check out
www.brora.co.uk (traditional)
- styled up

Thanks, that gives me a good idea what to try. I hadn't realised that I could wear them over skinny jeans. I don't have any leggings but could give those a try too.
What about when you are out? Is there a style of jacket or coat that goes with them? A denim jacket maybe but what if its colder?

dark skinny jeans but I tend to live in black leggings. Oh Moonlight reminded me, i do wear brogues sometimes too.
Outerwear - a winter coat in winter! or this time of year otherwise, a mac or swing style

Thanks, I think I better buy a new coat. I'm still using my maternity coat

I layer long sleeve tees beneath tea dreses on cooler days. I wear mine with ankle boots (high-ish heel), ballet flats, biker boots, slouch flat boots and brogues. Also with Converse & flat leather sandals in summer.

yep biker boots are great as if it's a really girlie dress, it toughens it up a bit

Anything really. You can go 'edgy' with a biker jacket or a parka, or trad with a nice cashmere fitted short cardi / grandfather cardi

A midi coat also works (think slightly 'gentleman's suit coat - the straight up and down mid-calf ones), but I can't find an example at the moment.

a man's fitted blazer is great too

Oh, and what everyone upthread said too!