Can I wear this to a semi formal work meeting and then onto a possible first date?

[Grobagsforever]

It's too dressy I know...but I spent £££ on it and I love it and feel amazing in it. It needs to be worn!!

Bought for a wedding in June....

I'm 37...if that's relevant..

Also it needs shows. I have no shoes!!

http://m.asos.com/ted-baker/ted-baker-bisslee-pencil-dress-in-chatsworth-bloom/prd/9235243?affid=14179&channelref=product%20search&mk=abc&currencyid=1&ppcadref=761030383%7C39786895323%7Caud-108719242581:pla-412070709831&cclid=v33882ad3ea-a64e-5cf2-a47a-17e0d68e76af&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuZahor-62gIVzrtCh0RXgLqEAQYBSABEgLdTPDDBwE

London pub will be fine. Hope the date goes well!

I do think it needs heels. The model looks like she’s got tacos on her feet.

I would wear it to work and on a date, and I absolutely wouldn’t wear a jacket or a cardi, sure-fire way to kill a lovely dress. It’s got sleeeves, it’s got good fabric and it’s a comparatively muted colour.

Thanks all :) Been a classic under dresser/scruff bag all my life, feel it's time for the days I wear nice dresses to pubs!

I have no problem with nice dresses in London pubs. At all. Just that this is far too Kensington wine bar for most London pubs.

https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/women/ted-baker-bisslee-chatsworth-bloom-bodycon-dress/d882378.pd?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwa6B84S92gIVRLTtCh3gggkoEAQYBSABEgLaVDDBwE#289715692&cmmmc=GooglebaseeWomenen--Dresses---Bisslee+Chatsworth+Bloom+Bodycon+Dress&tmcampid=7&tmad=c&tmplaceref=Ted+Baker&tmclickref=Ted+Baker+Bisslee+Chatsworth+Bloom+Bodycon+Dress&$ja=tsid:96381%7Ccid:955784559%7Cagid:50172733191%7Ctid:pla-328572511911%7Ccrid:226791713711%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:8615001850206980905%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:1o5%7Cmt:&effid=WtOrOgAAAJKQMfGN:20180415194250:s

She has different shoes which look lighter and better .

The dress IS indeed stunning.

However. I agree it’s a little bit too “done” and formal for a London pub date between two professionals? (Unless maybe you’re both in a creative industry or have a shared interest in vintage or something?)

I’d go for something in the ballpark of skinny black jeans and boots you can walk comfortably in and fitted top for the date. Concentrate on flattering face/hairstyle.

I’m sure you’ll look stunning whatever you wear and good fortune.

@StokesNave but I cannot wear jeans to a work meeting! I have other less dressey dresses I can wear to both events....

Dress for work and pop a change of clothes in bag?

I guess I’m just using my experience of OD - there is nothing worse than being stuck with someone weird who looks 15 years older and 5 inches shorter than his picture, in the nearest convenient “local” pub whilst looking properly glamourous (so it’s pretty obvious you’re on a date ) Wrap style dresses can have a bit of a hypnotic effect on some men, so if he’s on the creepy side he’ll be pawing you all night

Plus heels you can’t walk in aren’t a good idea, especially if it’s just at the “casual first meet” stage?

If you hit it off you can always wear the dress on your next or third date, and suggest something more formal, like dinner or somewhere swanky ...

It does look like a wedding outfit to me. But if you feel great in it wear it on the date - I reckon 90% of men won't have any idea about the nuances of dress etiquette. Is the work meeting the kind of thing where you need to make a first impression on important people or of no particular significance?

Yes! What you need us a wrap dress or skinny black jeans/fitted top combo to make absolutely certain you look exactly like every.single.other. woman in the pub.

WEAR THE TB DRESS! You'll smash it.

It's gorgeous. Wear it!

lots of divided opinions here

I USED to do knockout dresses on first meets (hourglass so they really did suit me)

Of course it’s fun dressing up for its own sake and I must admit I’ve enjoyed going dating just to “be out”

What I found for meeting people and wearing something too dressy was either:

• the guys would be weird/unattractive in which case I’d feel overexposed?

• the guys would be ok, but i felt often they were only arranging a 2nd date because they wanted to be “seen out with hot dress woman” and weren’t really so interested in getting to know me for a lunchtime walk in jeans and a t shirt?

Of course physical attraction is important but I want someone to be attracted to my face and “basics”, not just a particular presentation of me which I won’t be displaying 90% of the time?

Ps can you tell I haven’t got time to date and am therefore overinvested?

bubbins this!
Beyond thinking she looks nice I don't think most men would consider the nuances of oh she's overdressed / oh she's wearing a semi formal dress / oh she should have warm jeans. If you most importantly feel happy in you're wearing that'll come across as confidence to him.
Plus I find nothing more dull and uncomfortable as jeans.

Oh I hate this “you will be overdressed” mentality. I mean seriously - who ever looks at others whilst out and judges them for being overdressed? If you do, that is your problem. If the dress makes you look and feel fabulous - wear it. And to hell with the naysayers!

@StokesNave -I'm trying to imagine a universe where I'd be 'hot dress woman' . Don't get me wrong, I scrub up fine, but if someone asks me out a second time it's going to be for my mind..😂.

You lot are lovely - thanks for all the well thought out advice. I fear you may all be disappointed though as the guy has done the classic Online dating thing of acting super keen to take me out and then going quiet once date is confirmed...might just not be a texter (we spoke on the phone rather than days of texting) but online dating skepticism makes me see a ghosting in my future....

The work meeting isn't super important so standard suit skirt and top will be fine if date disappears!

I would wear the dress with a blazer and black ankle boots with a good chunky heel. I would go out for dinner after work wearing it too, I don't think it is too dressy and blazer and boots will make it clear you have been at work too, not dressed up especially for him.

I was admiring that dress at the weekend, it’s even more beautiful in real life
Sadly it wouldn’t suit me though

I might steal this idea and buy this dress for work...

I also cannot wear high stilleto heels and falling over in the office would not be a good look.

Any suggestions for shoes (covering toes because sometimes I have to go to our mad American office which has this rule) which are not super high or spindly heels and which have a strap or something to secure it to the foot - not a court style slip on? Slip on shoes are the devil's work.