Can I wear this? Or will I look like Judith Chalmers on a cruise??

[emsyj]

I am going to a dinner next month - work-related, relatively formal but will not be black tie or require full length gown etc. So I want to get an 'eveningy' dress, but bloody hell I look really frumpy in everything. Plus I have no taste.

I have found this dress, which I rather like (I love orange, and it suits me - I think) and was thinking of dressing it up with a statement necklace. There are lots I like on Banana Republic but I don't think I have found quite the right one yet.

So, can I wear this dress with heels (oh yeah, I'd need to buy those too...) and a big necklace, or will I look hopeless and fugly and an idiot? Please be kind...

I think it's nice and will stand out against the dull business suits the men will presumably be wearing.

I'd wear it with cream heels I think.

I think it's gorgeous and perfect for a 'semi-formal' event. I wish I was brave enough to wear orange. Cream heels would be lovely or you could make a statement with royal blue which I think is a great combination.

I need to shop for shoes. Not sure I could wear cream heels, I have some nude ones that might do... Maybe?

Hmmmm royal blue sounds interesting - although DH is in the RNLI and it might feel a bit, errr, nautical?? I like the idea of the contrast tho.

I love orange!

I love it. I wish it was available in other colours. Orange is not my colour at all.

That's a lovely dress, what a bargain!

I'd be looking for some really gorgeous shoes in navy.

Yes, I think it's nice

Would these be hideous with it???

What about a statement bracelet rather than necklace? Just thinking that the dress is a gorgeous colour and can be left to strut it's stuff unadorned while an oomphy bracelet and clutch combo plus good shoes would adorn the extremities.

I'm not too absolutely sure that I have any taste though .

Bracelet might be a good idea, thanks - I've seen a really nice one that I like. The necklaces I like seem to all be quite 'short' and I think a longer one would be flattering, but the long ones are all too dainty...

A chunky bracelet could look really good. I think nude heels would look nicer than the Hobbs platforms personally, if you don't like cream. Tan would also work.

www.kurtgeiger.com/women/shoes/courts/aware-nude-patent-41-carvela-kurt-geiger-shoe.html

These would look good.

With this necklace:

bananarepublic.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?cid=58052&vid=1&pid=000950923SP01-13260

What do you think ?

I like that necklace, but I'm not excited about it enough to pay £60 for it. I love this one, but not convinced that the mix of 2 metals goes with the orange. I might buy it anyway for another day...

I also love this but it doesn't really go at all. Gah!

I think the neckline is too high for a necklace. I'd go with bangle or bracelet.

I quite like this if I could get away with a necklace, or this as a bracelet...

I hate statement necklaces, wearing them myself I mean, I think they ruin an outfit. I do like bangles and blingy earrings . But that is my person taste only. Your dress is gorgeous though, really nice.

The dress is fab, don't clutter the neck line with a necklace though, have you got a nice clutch bag?

I said I had no taste or style. I was doing so well picking a dress that was approved by the MN jury as 'nice', now I'm going to fail completely on accessorising! I have ordered the dress, but still no clear direction on shoes and accessories yet. Will see how it looks with my existing nude heels.

No, I haven't got a nice clutch bag yet - will have to buy one of those too! Need to decide on shoes first I suppose.

Maybe some nice earrings?

I like the bracelet, with a gold envelope style clutch perhaps?

Love the dress. Not Judith at all.

I like that. No to the Hobbs shoes though. How about shocking pink (if you are braver than I am!)?

I love orange I have several orange dresses! I think it's great but it won't look good with a big necklace I'd go for a nice bracelet or a cocktail ring. Have a great time