Toning down a (sexy) black dress

[Bambi75]

I have a small dilemma. I have a ball (not black tie) coming up for which I’ve found a black lace cocktail dress that fits me perfectly. It fits brilliantly and is lined so gives a smooth silhouette.

The problem is that I’m just over 40, although a slim, toned size 10. Im brunette. The dress is not short - it hits at the knee - but it is body con with thin straps and a low-ish v cut. As such, it is a sexy dress, there’s no getting around it.

I don’t want to look cheap and tarty. At the same time I don’t have the time really to go hunting for something which doesn’t fit me better/I might not find. So, do I:

A) wear the dress but find a capelet or shrug to tone down the top half

B) try and find another dress

TIA x

If it suits you stick with it, just go a bit more subtle with hair, make-up and jewellery. What shoes would you wear? Have you tried some different bras with it?

Do you have a link to the dress?

Also, is the ball work related?

Thank you for replying.

I don’t have a photo because the dress is in the cleaners.

I don’t need to wear a bra because the dress has in built support.

I will wear small diamond studs and small diamond pendant. Not other jewellery apart from wedding rings. Hair down to my shoulder. Mid heeled (6cm) black simple strappy sandals.

It is not a work do but it is a pta parents party at a swish venue.

Im sure it’d be fine but if you’re self conscious, what about this?

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_087010142163_-1

The Jenny Packam shrug is beautiful. At the opposite end of the spectrum, I quite like dressing down a girly dress with a denim jacket or similar.

Option A definitely. The dress sounds lovely.

That shrug is divine.

Will sleeves help?
www.wingzfashion.com/
www.camiconfidential.co.uk/
www.johnlewis.com/gina-bacconi-mesh-sleeve-under-top/p3095939?sku=236683243&s_kwcid=2dx92700028127698245&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItY7wtpKR2QIVTrXtCh0GTQ6-EAQYAiABEgIWfvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

That black embellished shrug is stunning !

Do you think that would work better than something like this..?

uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1,mon_1.5/4400214661

Yes, go with the shrug up thread. It looks like something you keep on not something you should take off

Thanks everyone, I feel reassured and will definitely go for the shrug option ! x

I wouldn't wear strappy sandals with a strappy dress unless I wanted to look sexy. I think open feet shoes and open shoulders dress show off too much all together IYSWIM. When I want to tone a dress down, wear court shoes (pointed and thin heel though).

I would probably wear nude or black courts with a pointy toe and a mid heel.

Find a different dress. Nothing worse than too much cleavage unless it is matched with lace.