Same dress for wedding do & races - how should I wear it?

[Angelina77]

I've just bought this dress www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-fiona-cross-front-maxi-dress-red/p1853351

The wedding do is a black tie affair. I don't normally wear red but I thought it was a stunning dress. I was thinking of wearing a wrap for both events, not sure what colour to go for, would black wrap/shoes & bag look a bit too flamenco dancer? Plain or patterned? What sort of jewellery should I wear? Shoes will have to be flat, especially for the races, maybe some nice sandals?

My hair is another story, I've got a brunette bob which is a terrible cut and I hate it. No fringe, but might consider having one. Down is the only option, too short for a nice up-do (shame). It's naturally curly but I prefer to straighten it.

I really want to look good, I hardly ever go out (1 year old baby) and especially not to glam do's

Nice dress! Which bit of races will you be in - posh bit? Is there a dress code?

Just checked and there doesn't seem to be, not for women anyway. Most people dress like they're going to a wedding, in my experience.

A cape like this could be nice www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Gina+Bacconi+Beaded+cape/217062984,default,pd.html&$$ja=cgid:9480570715%7Ctsid:44970%7Ccid:176422675%7Clid:91131811075%7Cnw:g%7Ccrid:50747423635%7Crnd:10120146861684132895%7Cdvc:c%7Cadp:1o1%7Cmt:%7Cbku:1

I'm not so sure about black and red

Have a look on pinterest for bob hair up do - there's lots of options

I'd go for lighter colours with the dress. Cream/nude probably. Or a darker shade or red, for shoes and bag, but still with a lighter wrap. Maybe gold for the wedding, if evening.
For the races, I might go with black sandals.

that's nice, I'd have to find a cheap alternative though. I can't style my own hair, I'm useless :(

For hair, how about styling it back or with some curls, like this

Are you going to an ordinary day at the races or one of the big Festivals - eg Newmarket July, Glorious Goodwood, York Ebor? Each has its own sort of "style", regardless of which enclosure you are in. People dress a lot more casually on an "ordinary" day.

I have that dress and wear it to evening do's. I wouldn't dream of wearing it to the races even if I was in a fancy part. It is very much an evening dress.

Its York, county stand, evening races + Tom Jones.

Thanks for the hair ideas lweji, I like the top right pic, not sure if I could do it myself though.

I've got other options for the races, but I'm so unlikely to wear that red dress again I thought it would be a shame - wouldn't it be ok for the evening races? Maybe with a blazer or something to dress it down a bit?

Evening race meetings are a lot more relaxed than the afternoons, but some people do get dressed to the nines. I get what you're saying about not having another opportunity to wear it, but I'd definitely try to dress it down: sandals rather than heels, a medium/large bag rather than a clutch, etc.

Have fun, I saw Tim Jones at the races a few years ago and he's great!

Tom Jones

Ooh you jammy bugger - I really wanted to go to that! This might sound a bit mental, but how about a leather jacket to dress it down? Like this

love the leather jacket idea, genius!