I'm allowed one S&B thread per year and this is it...

[ShowOfHands]

With the advent of the picture option on S&B, I thought it was probably about time I started my annual thread begging for help.

You'll all be horrified to know that I've already purchased a dress. I had a baby 11 months ago and have lost a lot of weight due to lugging him around. I'm also an entirely different shape and very little fits. It was necessary that I shop for the first time in two years. The dress is a done deal. I like it.

We have not one, but two weddings to go to. One of them is in the dead of winter, the other at the height of summer (so it'll be the same temperature at both of them and will no doubt rain). Winter wedding is in a medieval castle. I was thrilled when I heard. DH noticed and informed me that "if you wear that godawful velvet cloak, I will divorce you. You are not auditioning for a part in Merlin". Bastard. Anyway...

The summer one's in a church in Ireland, v Catholic, v posh. No doubt I'm not allowed to wear my cloak to that either.

The only shoes I own are Dr Marten's and the clumpier the better really. I don't wear heels. Is there something I can buy that is flat but will go with that dress and I can wear in winter and summer? Can I just wear tights in winter? I quite fancy some tan leather boat shoes. They're not really wedding wear are they? What do you wear at weddings? Do I have to wear a hat to the church (I have hundreds of hats, all ridiculous, one says 'ban the bomb' on it in tie dye, oh yes).

And what do I wear over it? Cardigan? Jacket? Er, my cloak? Money is very tight. I could KNIT something? That's probably a resounding no too, right?

[Trills]

I agree Tee - the dress background appears to be navy.

I think the flower thingy is quite Showy-esque. If she's not allowed a cape she can at least have a flower on her shoe!

[Trills]

What was last year's S&B thread then?

[ShowOfHands]

It is navy. I can crochet as well as knit if that helps. I could crochet a navy bolero. I have navy wool with a silver thread through it. Much nicer than it sounds. I am yet to manage knitting shoes. I do have woven hemp slippers. I didn't make them though. A tribe in South America made them.

[ElephantsCanRemember]

I have nothing useful to add but I do love your S&B threads SOH

[Tee2072]

I didn't mean to knit shoes. I meant to knit a bolero jacket or a stole.

Or give your husband one of these and wear your cloak. I think it sounds gorgeous. [cloak envy emoticon]

[EduStudent]

Oh I loved your maxi dress thread. Was absolute gold.

I like the dress. Would second a velvet jacket (you always need another velvet jacket )

Shoes. Um. I like brogues with dresses, but I don't think they'd work with that particular dress.

I like these but again not sure how they'd go.

[ShowOfHands]

Last years was palazzo trousers. I never found what I was looking for though. I'm still searching.

And oooooooooooh, a cape. I could definitely make a cape. It will differ from my cloak in that it won't have a hood. DH can't complain, surely.

[OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere]

What about a pair of low wedges? Much easier to walk in than heels.pick a column from the dress and get them in that.the dress is very nice.

[SirEdmundFrillary]

Looking pretty's the Most Important Thing. Bugger your thoughts, ideas, etc.

[ShowOfHands]

Tee, my cloak is inspired. I seriously love it.

Those shoes are awesome Edu. The shop down t'road has cherry red patent brogues and I press my nose against the glass and covet them regularly. Dress has red flowers on it. Maybe maybe? Somebody lie to me. Is it an excuse to buy cherry red brogues?

[Tee2072]

like this.

Cape would be nice too.

[DoUntoOlympians]

'Lympics on the telly. Cup of coffee and some biscuits. SoH's annual S&B thread.

Does it get any better? I think not.

I think you should get yourself back to Norwich for a day and go to Head in the Clouds. They will have something for you. It will smell so strongly of incense that you will have to hand it outside, but they will have the very thing.

[ShowOfHands]

Another MN friends suggested I try wedged espadrilles once. I still have the scars. I can't wear wedges. Not for long anyway.

[DoUntoOlympians]

*hang it outside.

I think red would be good. A red velvet, cropped jacket and matching ballet shoes.

[OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere]

I meant colour obviously
Not even low wedges?
you poor thing

[ShowOfHands]

We're going to Norwich in a fortnight to buy school shoes for dd. I am going to Head In The Clouds one, in order to sniff the air and two, to browse through the patchwork and tie dye offerings. DH thinks that I'm permanently in fancy dress and HITC doesn't help with this. I could go to Feet On The Ground next door if it's still there. They sell velvet shoes by the truckload. Sparkly ones.

Tee that's a picture of my MIL you have right there.

[ShowOfHands]

Oh I have red velvet thai ballet shoes. Completely forgot. Really very red ones.

[MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe]

Aah, Showy's annual S & B thread . Yes get thee to head in the clouds and pick up an eighth while you are there

[EduStudent]

I would say yes to the cherry red brogues.

I am generally not to be listened to in matters of fashion.

[Tee2072]

Only an eighth? Are we not sharing?

Well, to be honest Showy, that dress.....

I'm kidding I like the dress!

Wear your cloak. Wear your cloak. Wear your cloak. Wear your cloak. Wear your cloak. Wear your cloak. Wear your cloak. Wear your cloak. Wear your cloak. Wear your cloak. Wear your cloak. Wear your cloak. Wear your cloak. Wear your cloak. Wear your cloak.

[enabler emoticon]

[ShowOfHands]

I'd be famous MissBee. "Norfolk hippy arrested by own husband". I'd be ready for my photo on the front of the EDP though. Cloak on, hood up.

Cherry red brogues would probably look fine. Red flowers, red shoes. It'll look matchy matchy surely. I could get a red hat too. A trilby. Or a cloche. I really want a cloche.

[ShowOfHands]

Tee, you'll be on my divorce papers you know.

[Tee2072]

Can I have your cloak? So I can present it in court as evidence? I'll give it back. Honest.

[ShowOfHands]

Can you stride purposefully? You can only borrow my cloak if you can stride purposefully. Preferably down a medieval corridor.

On a scale of 1 to wrong, how bad are these?

[GnocchiNineDoors]

what about red loafer types?