What colour shoes with this dress or is the dress a no no

[eatyourveg]

Going to a WW1 memorial service in Ypres - its a formal wreath laying dignitaries thing but in a field and am really stuck on what to wear. Bought this today but now think the poppy theme might be a bit naff.
Would love your opinions on the following

1. Is the dress too naff and something plainer would be more appropriate?
2. What colour shoes and what type bearing in mind its in a field - suggestions welcome -I don't wear heels or pointed toes as I have a wide foot I love these but not sure they fit the occasion.
3. Should I wear the black cardi or a shawl type thing in which case what colour?
4. Do I wear tights and if so what colour?

I'm more comfortable in wellies so this is a bit tough and dressing up is not really me at all.

TIA

It would be more conventional to wear black/dark colours. The poppies seem a bit too "jokey" for a memorial service, imo.

I think the dress is fine. It's obviously in 'tribute' and what's wrong with that?

And definitely Flat ballet pumps - red, black, nude or metallic.

The dress is absolutely lovely, and please tell us where it's from, but I'm not sure a poppy-themed dress is a sensible choice for a WWI memorial service... might be seen as over the top?

I think the poppy theme is fine, not naff. I'd wear it with a fitted black cardi or short jacket, nude tights and black pumps or low heels

I think to be honest it's a bit bright and playful for a memorial service. I'd recommend something more sombre.

I get what you're doing with the Poppy's, but it doesn't feel respectful. I'm sorry,

i thinkyou need to choose something more conservative, really sorry, it really is a gorgeous dress

Nice dress but too informal for the occasion I'd say.

That dress is gorgeous but too joyful for this sort of memorial service IMO. I think you need something more sombre.

No not this dress! i get your thinking behind it though, something more palin and you can buy nice poppy's is you want to

The dress seems ok to me but the shoes look like toddler shoes. Plain black ballet flats would be better.

I think everyone is being rather harsh. My first thought on seeing the op was the dress was too "jokey". However when I looked at close up pictures, I think it is a really nice dress that ties to the occasion. Similarly the shoes look like a practical (but as if you taken some thought to it) choice. Good luck.

I think it's inappropriate & the shoes look very quirky. I don't know in what capacity you've been invited but it is a very formal occasion, not a wedding.

btw, M&S do some genuinely comfortable wide fitting lowish heels. I can walk in them all day

Entirely inappropriate. You need a simple non patterned dress or trouser suit.

(Family are ex military and go to various events in France/ Belgium. They are not occasions where you want to draw attention to yourself.)

Right - thanks everyone am really glad I asked, dress is definitley out and will take it back on monday as I have no cause to wear it - I have one black dress (bought just for funerals) but haven't ever worn black in the summer and would normally wear it with 100 denier opaque tights and doc martens type shoes. Is this dress a no no too?

I just don't do formal very well - its not me at all so any suggestions for something under £40 (not likely to need to wear something like it again) that would be appropriate for a short dumpy over 50 type?

Yes, the black dress is good. Nude tights (if you'll be cold otherwise) and black shoes.

how about these shoes?

The black dress is entirely more appropriate, and nice too

The poppy theme is absolutely fine and the dress is lovely. Team with black accessories such as the sash and cardi, I'd go for ballet pumps or wedges to avoid sinking into the grass. The men and women who sacrificed their lives between 1914-1918 were young, vibrant, passionate and lively, celebrate that. You won't be the only person embracing the poppy.

Love the black dress. I would wear red shoes with it though, for a bit of a pop and a subtle nod to poppies.

I love the poppy dress and usually very much support people wearing what they like, but on this occasion I can see that it could be misinterpreted, whilst the black option won't be. Unless you have photos of previous events and similar bright colours and patterns have been worn

You could wear a cardigan and accessories (shoes) with brighter/ lighter colours though.

Do you have any other dresses between those two styles? I think the black dress is too sombre. Do you have a navy coloured dress perhaps? or a dark purple maybe??

We are going to the same event or similar if not the actual one, end of July? I think the dress is lovely, my outfit is blue/grey sort of a formal day dress/ jacket combo bought in TK Maxx it was under £40 and I am also a dumpy overweight 50plus. I think hundreds of women all in black would be a bit depressing actually. We are going as my husband is a descendant of someone who died in that particular part of the war. I have a poppy scarf which I might have worn if it had matched my outfit.

I like the poppy dress. Black cardi and black slight heel shoes.

I love that dress and think it's entirely appropriate. Go for it, black accessories, keep everything else plain and simple . People will admire you on the day.