Is this frock ok for dress code 'cocktail dress'?

[Fierceflora]

I'm going to a do next weekend. I love clothes and fashion etx but really really hate these kind of things where I am told what to wear! If it was just black tie I have a lovely floor length vintagey sequin dress. But it's not and am stumped. I'm thinking this frock with a spray tan and black ankle boots. I do tend to have a bit of a drama teacher look, it doesn't seemt I be something I can escape so am just going to go with it. But will I be horribly out of place in this? It is silk with lots of embroidery so fed not a day dress. Can't walk in heels so boots are flat but am tall so that's ok. Also am fairly heavily tattooed so sleeves with somewhat disguise them. What do you think? Is this ok? If not feel free to suggest something else!! Am 5'8, size 16-18, lean towards looser clothes. Shops I likeinc urban outfitters, top shop, all saints, oh and I'm 39 so a combo of overweight and approaching Middle aged means a lot of proper eve short dresses make me look horrific!

All sounds good to me; but I'd forget the spray tan- you look good without and I don't think it would fit with the slightly vintagey dress

I really like the dress and your style OP.

I think if you're not used to walking in heels those shoes are quite high.

What about about getting a pair of slightly lower heels? A block heel would work with that style of dress.

I don't think boots would look right.

I love the look of concentration on your face in the selfie! I always do that.

The dress looks great and is definitely "cocktail" when done up with lippie but have to agree with others that boots won't work.

Ha! I'd LOVE to wear the birkis in fact except I fear my friend would actually disown me! She actually IS much more wag than me she despairs of me and does not understand my love of the fugly shoe

What about a mid-heel sandal like this

That dress is beautiful :)

If you don't like heels I'd wear it with ballet pumps or smart sparkly sandles though rather than boots.

You could get away with a lovely pair of satin / kid leather ballet flats?

Something like this? www.google.co.uk/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=luxe+ballet+flat&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&gfe_rd=cr&ei=bwY6VbntJc_58QPu6oGIBw#rls=en&tbm=shop&q=leather+ballet+flats&spd=13041202888743975306

Or a bit edgier if you can find something that fits...

Fierce - you look AMAZING!! I love your hair.

Tesco have some cheap kitten heels - not dis-similar to the sandals twinklestein suggested.
They are quite nice in real life.

I love your style -

Forgot to add my link in my excitement about your hair!
Was going to say, what about something like this for a bit of edge:

m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/asos/asos-exit-peep-toe-chelsea-ankle-boots/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4611694&clr=Black&SearchQuery=Peep+Toe+Boots&un_jtt_v_frompage=0&pge=1&pgesize=50&totalstyle=31

Love the dress, and am really envious of your hair! Wish I could pull that off.

I think if you're not confident in those heels then give them a miss, although they are gorgeous.

I'm not sure about boots - could look a little too casual.

I have these shoes: Gorgeous shoes in navy blue. They're quite 1940s style, and so ridiculously comfy. I struggle with heels because I have terrible bunions and it just kills my feet, but these are the best heels I've ever worn.

I'm intrigued as to what a 'drama teacher look' is, as I suspect I may have it too!

You're not glam????

With THAT hair????

Me thinks you are a damn sight more glam than you give yourself credit for!

That dress is amazing and with those shoes you'll look absolutely fantastic.

YY to travelling in flats though.

I'm not very good with fashion, but just wanted to say I think you look lovely!

Wear it. It's perfect.

Also, you should defo go with a really strong lipstick, you have fabulous lips (feels a bit weird writing that! but it's true), and it would totally set off your hair and the dress.

And some bold, statement jewelry, like a big bangle and a fab necklace too.

And more importantly, don't worry about it too much and enjoy yourself! Sod the WAG types who will be teetering about worrying about their hair and have fun!

And YY to forgetting the tan. Pale and interesting with that fantastic strong hair and some deep red statement lips is where it's at.

Spray tans are so over and make everyone look like a try-too-hard teenager.

Can I just join the love-in? I love the dress, your hair and specs, and general individuality. No to the spray tan. Yes to the birdies!

Do 'Birkies' mean Birkenstock sandals? If so, I'd say no to that. They would look fab with that dress in a more casual setting, but definitely not suitable for 'cocktail dress'.

It needs to be heels, just find some that you won't fall over in

You're gorgeous...love your hair and style! The dress is beautiful, I imagine the photo doesn't do it justice.

You could consider shoe boots if you want to hide your ankles although I'm crap at fashion so feel free to ignore

I do quite like the look of ballet flats on other people but they look weird on my massively wide size 9s! I think my legs and cankles are too chunky for them!
My boots are suede pointed flat with fringing round the ankles. They are more shoe boots than proper boots I would say. They are topshop ones but I've had them a while I don't think I'd be able to find a link to them.
I have to spray tan my legs as they are that nasty grey colour, like uncooked sausages, it's not in any way attractive! Will it be weird to just tan my legs? I've got a new tattoo on one arm that def can't be sprayed (and arms will be covered by sleeve)?

Ah cross posts with all the love thank you all so much I'm feeling much better about it now, and myself. I always feel like the 'weird aunt' amongst my pals!! Love you all you're all great xxx

I too think your look is amazing, and that dress is a definite yes

Your shoes are fab, but if you won't feel confident in them then don't wear them. I'd go with a block heeled ankle boot, with or without a peep toe. The ones linked to above are lovely, but they're only available in an 8.

You are going to look even more fabulous than you already do!

Ps hair is only looking slightly glam as I had my roots done yesterday and she blow dried it- it's normally more Mohican parakeet like

I can see that the shoes al linked to would look nice with the frock but they're just not very 'me'. I think I need something maybe a bit less dainty, perhaps chunkier? Less girly? I know in my head what I need but am not articulating it very well!