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

I love the poppy dress but I think it's too bright/informal.for a memorial service.

I would wear the black dress but with a contrasting scarf or jacket. And black shoes.

If you've got something like a plain pale blue or grey dress I think that would also be fine. The poppy dress is just a bit loud.

I love the poppy dress too but think it would be completely inappropriate. It's a military memorial service, dress will be overwhelmingly conservative and I think this would make you stick out like a sore thumb. There's a time and place for wow dresses, this isn't it.

I'm going to be brave and disagree with the majority - I think the poppy dress is so much better, but I would wear it with a really well fitting black jacket and smart black suede heels (clarks and Next have wide fitting ones- I don't do heels either but I'd suffer for the time I was on my feet and put some black flat shoes in my bag / car for later). I think that combination will look far smarter and more formal than the black dress and dr marten shoes (and I love dr martens by the way).

Why do people always assume you can't be smart without wearing heels? OP doesn't want heels, and it's in a field, so heels are not appropriate.

OP, I agree with PPs that the poppy dress, while lovely, is a bit too jolly. The black dress is rather sombre and shapeless but I'm guessing it looks better on than on the hanger? If you had an in-between option, I'd go with that. Even trousers and a smart top? Black brogues, ballet flats or even ankle boots for footwear.

Gosh so many replies - thank you all. I would prefer not to wear the black dress really - the only other dresses I have are what I call play dresses (all very casual Joe Browns type or the sort to match bright coloured doc martens boots) and none of them are plain so not appropriate.

Back to the drawing board- I think I will look for navy office type thing. Yes Itmustbemyage most likely the same event and for similar reasons.

The poppy dress is gorgeous, and would be perfect for a wedding, but it's not right for that occasion. The black one is definitely better.

I've never been to an event like that but, assuming there's no written dress code, I would dress like I would for a funeral, probably not in black but in something unobtrusive. The dress is lovely and I can see where you're going with the pattern but I think anything that might draw attention to yourself is probably inappropriate.

I wouldn't buy a special outfit either, especially not if you're short of money. I would just wear the other dress with some flat, smart shoes. It's not your day and it doesn't matter if you don't look perfect as long as you look decent. That would be my interpretation but I'll stand corrected if there are posters with more inside knowledge.

I like the poppy dress and the allusion is entirely sympathetic, but I agree that the occasion is a uniform do, and so your outfit should be restrained. A poppy brooch would be entirely suitable. Shoes, in a field: comfortable low block heel court shoe in red, black or nude.

OP how do you feel about something like this, with a black jacket?

www.phase-eight.com/fcp/product/phase-eight/all-sale/fleur-print-dress/203447725

These are dresses that would be more suitable for the event (based on the description you've given). These are dresses all under £50 and would definitely be wearable again after the event.

Phase Eight:
Dress 1

Dress 2

Dress 3

Dress 4

This dress is just over the £50 budget at £55 but is lovely
Colour Block Dress

George at Asda:
Dress 1

Dress 2

Just some suggestions that, I think, are some where inbetween the style of your poppy dress (which is lovely but I don't think is suitable for this event) and the black dress that you showed us the picture of. I hope I haven't offended but I think there is some middle ground.
If those styles don't do it for you and you would be more comfortable in your black dress then wear that and completely disregard my suggestions

Thanks for all the suggestions especially as I really don't want to have to wear the black dress - I don't like wearing black if I can help it
Flyinggeese I like that dress and am only put off because of the colour
Watchamacallit Dress 2 is really lovely, is the colour not too light?

I am wondering if this might be something worth trying on. It is much plainer than anything else I have. Only worry is that it is fitted and I'm having an op on Tuesday and am not sure what the situation with the dressings is going to be or how mobile I am going to be so anything too close fitting might be dodgy.

I like the cut of the M&S dress OP. Could you order a few sizes to a clothes or food M&S and collect them all, take back the sizes that aren't suitable?

I love the poppy dress, I think it suits the occasion well. The red shoes would look lovely and smart too.

I think the m&s dress would be perfect OP. I love the poppy dress but not for such an occasion, I've been to similar events in the past and plain, dark coloured and unobtrusive, basically nothing which would draw any kind of attention to yourself. Minimal makeup and jewellery too has always been the order of the day.

One other thing, I've never been to anything like this in Ypres, but at other similar occasions I have seen people asked to leave who weren't dressed "respectfully" and I have also seen ladies asked to remove brightly coloured hats or scarves.

I would say if you think there is the remotest chance that it may not be appropriate, then wear something else. Your other black dress was lovely too btw

I think the M&S dress is just right too, I wouldn't go with anything floral or even patterned TBH. I agree about not drawing any attention to what you are wearing, this is one occasion where you really do not want to stand out, so no bright scarves, bags, shoes etc.

if you want wide fit shoes and you do decide to wear the red dress then what about these.....

I accept they are pointy, which you said you weren't keen on but they are extra wide

www.sargassoshoes.com/shop/pippa-kitten-heel-red-suede/

sorry, the link didn't work!