What can I wear with a plain navy dress to avoid looking like a matronly nun?

[BeckyAndTina]

I ordered this dress, it fits, it's comfortable but it is very plain and I feel it looks like a nun's habit ( Catholic upbringing, had about 3 great aunts that were nuns, though none wore such short dresses).
What can I wear it with to make it less plain? What colour tights? Boots? Shoes? Or should I send it back?

Biker style boots like Fly London. Chunky bead necklace in a bold colour (orange?)

Not brogues and a wimple!

Black opaques, black heeled ankle boots and a black biker/velvet/embellished jacket?

I'd do high suede knee high boots with it and a long silver necklace.

Not got a wimple, but was thinking of wearing it with burgundy clarks brogues. Maybe not then!

Bright scarf?

I think you should avoid sensible looking footwear - either go for rock/biker style or glamorous.

I wear quite a few dresses like that for work. I would wear it with navy blue tights and tan ankle boots with a block heel.

Navy and burgundy don't often go together well. Grey/silver footwear would be better

It's a lovely dress by the way!

I think brogues may cement the whole nun look. Sorry,,,,

Chunky gold sparkly necklace thin gold belt, put your hair up with some sparkly clips and wear some nice heels that are comfy with some hold up stockings and matching sexy bra and undies.

Metallic or leopard ballet flats would look fun

I never know what colour tights to wear with navy?!

This is why I stopped with the navy and reverted back to black...

A long necklace/ pendant that goes down past your boobs. That will create a V-shape on your top half and take away from the matronly look.

Strappy heels for a dressy look.

It's a nice dress. I'd wear black ankle boots and gold jewelly.

Thank you for all those great ideas! I have lots of sensible shoes so I ' ll get some non- sensible ones in the sale.

Do you think navy ankle boots would be any good for a day look?

I have brown ankle boots. With light brown tights? Or will I look like a nun sitting on a tree stump?

I really like the idea of a long necklace, so you think chunky or delicate? Any ideas where I could get one?

Navy and yellow look good together. I'd have two accessories (statement necklace/skinny waist belt/heels/clutch bag) in bright yellow and the rest in cream, tan or metallic.

For a smarter look: are these sensible or okay?

Absolutely no to brown tights, I think.

No to the green shoes!
Tan, grey, silver, gold or leopard print !

I've got a dress like that and wear it with navy tights, tan boots and a sort of multicoloured scarf that goes with the boots. I only wear it to work though so can look a bit dull and it doesn't matter!

I wear a lot of navy (capsule wardrobe). I wear silver or grey shoes or boots. I tend to wear either light grey or cream as an accent colour.

I like the skinny gold belt suggestion above. Yellow, orange or white scarf.

Stan smiths go with everything, or ponyskin leopard slippers (not ballet flats obviously, but loafer style).

No chunky necklace (long thin gold, if you must?) and def not the green shoes (sorry, green shoe poster!).