Help me avoid that Working Girl look

[PlainPiglet]

I've bought the Hobbs Andie red dress for a wedding but must have been off school the day girls were taught about being stylish, co-ordinating and generally dressing well. I'm clueless.

What colour clutch and shoes should I wear? I thought navy but i vaguely recall someone on MN telling someone they'd look like a street walker with that combo . I hate those nude heels - L.K. Bennett type ones that royals wear - so those are a definite "no". In fact, I can barely walk in heels - look like a newborn giraffe learning to walk. Any pointers for someone who has managed to get to their forties clothed and shod but not necessarily well?

Nice dress. Just googled accessories and lot suggest gold which I don'r like - too Christmassy. Silver? Purple? Dark red? Pink?

I personally would be looking for pewter or silver. Delicate looking heels with a heel you can walk in- if you are on a budget, I find that Asda and Matalan both tend to have comfy heels, or Dorothy Perkins.

Failing silver, go for black- it's a classic for a reason.

I would wear my hair loose with a necklace in that dress for a wedding. However, it's the type of dress that could come out lots, and it would look fantastic with hair piled up high on top of your head or short short hair, with big earrings. Really nice dress.

If you go for a discreet necklace, you could have a bolder bag, if you have one.

That’s a lovely dress. I would say consider a colour clash like fuschia or teal for impact. Maybe even a vibrant orange.

Pretty Ballerinas have some lovely mules if you’re not a big fan of heels...with maybe a bag like this...

The other thing to consider is kimono fabric. For example, sample sale from Hetty Rose. Because they have a little bit of most colours in them, they go with just about anything.

There is a a nice lady from Australia on Etsy called Shiho. Her shop is called Shantique Creations. She has some nice kimono bags to buy, and will make one to order if you have particular colours/patterns in mind.

Thank you for the replies. I saw a lovely matte silver clutch but it was teal on one side so I ruled it out but after your replies....... I'm really trying to make more of an effort with my clothes and appearance after years of blending in but don't even know the basics. And when I do dress up I feel really conspicuous and self-conscious so I really appreciate any pointers. Thanks again ladies.