Ok, I'm going to the ball. Sorta. I spent £3 on a dress ... what next?

[NotQuiteCockney]

It's some sort of work do. DH is going in suit and tie, so it's not black tie or anything like that.

The dress is knee-length. Pics here. Does it look ok? I've shrunk a lot over the last few years, and never wore anything this revealing before.

I have no idea what to wear with it.

I probably will wear contacts, for at least part of the night. Areas of concern:

1. I have no bras that go with this. I don't really have much in the way of boobs, and the bodice is fairly thick. Can I just skip a bra? (I tried my one halter neck thing, and it doesn't work.) Oh, wait, I have a strapless bra, and that looks ok, maybe a tiny peek shows at the neckline, as it's white and v plain ... do I have to go get a black strapless bra?

1. Do I wear a necklace to fill in the neckline? Pendant? String of pearls?

1. I don't really wear makeup. Should I be trying? My left eye leaks a lot (ugh) so this is a problem ...

1. I might consider wearing heels. I'm a lot thinner than the last time I wore them, maybe they bug me less? Can I manage with flats?

1. What sort of tights? I'm tempted by fishnets, as I love them now ...

1. I am tempted by the idea of some sort of body glitter or something for my shoulders? I'm not used to having them on display. I don't have spots, at least.

Wow - lovely dress. Loads of questions.

1 - without seeing you, no idea. Get a blunt friend to give their opinion. Will you be dancing? do they wobble if you do?
2: imo, necklace or earrings, but not both. I don't think pearls with this - it's too funky. I'd go for big earrings and no necklace
3: Maybe a bit of tinted moisturiser and lipgloss then
4: Bit of a heel probably better than flats with this, I suspect.
5: I think sheer black rather than fishnets, but if you like them, go for it.
6: Why not - sounds lovely.

1- dont wear black bra!!! maybe one of the stick on ones? even the stick on fillet things??
2-yes i would wear necklace but simple one
3- make up yes!
4- heels yes!!
5- not sure if fishnets would match the white pattern thing going on? nude might be better if you have to wear any
6-if by body glitter you mean the goldish dusting stuff yeah not bad idea but not if you are pale!

ooops meant dont wear white bra!!

1. There will be dancing. They might wobble a bit, but there's not much to them, to wobble.

1. Hmm, will go through jewellery box.

1. Hmmm, might try something, not really used to makeup. Lip gloss makes sense.

1. Ok, will have a room at the venue, so can change out of them. Only have one pair of usable heels I think, quite square-fronted with a buckle, probably out of style. Can't do high, anyway.

1. Hmm, yes, re: fishnets and patterns. Might try sheer black instead. Nude doesn't suit, am too pale for nude.

1. I'm pale, would do silver rather than gold probably.

1. Does your eye leak generally or just when you wear make up? Do you have waterproof mascara? Also you could go to one of the make-up counters for a makeover - maybe even treat yourself for Christmas?!

1. Clinique do a loose powder with a shimmer in it. Very subtle and could use over your shoulders/cleavage.

I have v v big feet. Size 9. Will look into shoe options. My backup shoes, for if my feet start hurting, will be flat round-toe mary janes, which do look lovely, and don't hurt my feet.

I probably can do heels now - I used to dislike them, but I was about 15 kg heavier, they're probably easier now?

My eye leaks generally. (I'm booked for an op in Feb) I don't wear makeup.

I don't really want to be heavily made up, anyway, I would feel weird, and DH would not be happy.

Oh god, my hair. I am growing out a brush cut. Maybe I'll get a short back and sides this week or something? It's still really short. I can probably slick it down and give it a bit of a something ...

I'm very happy to have got such a nice dress for £3. I didn't even try it on when I bought it!

hello notquite.

love your post: v organised with the pictures and specific questions! you look fab already and wd on you £3 find.

for what its worth... here are my thoughts:

1. agree that a white strapless bra is a no-no. think you should aim for what will be comfortable, no point being glammed up and then being too worried about popping out to have a dance etc. i've tried tit tape and those cups things and neither have worked.

you could get one of those black multiway bras from M&S - also works as halterneck which would be perfect for this. also would be a good all round investment.

2. personally, i'd avoid a necklass, as there's a lot of detail near neckline as it is. nice earings or bracelets would be lovely

3. ooohhh.... yes to make up! concentrate on getting a nice lipstick or gloss if you're nervous about wearing eyemake up. agree re tinted moisturiser. another thought - tho' - i dont know what your eye situation is and this could be the worst idea EVER - you could tint your eyelashes. and poss eyebrows too. makes so much difference and no worries about leakage. if you're nervours, you could get it done in a salon the first time. costs about £25 for brow and lash tint together.

4. heels...hmmm. they do make all the difference but you have to feel comfortable. low heel sounds about right, bt otherwise some nice flats are prob a better bet than heels if you think they'll just bug you.

5. i have no thoughts on tights i'm afraid 'cept that i think this dress is quite revealing anyway so maybe not fishnets.

6. nice skin is an ace thought. i dont go crazy for body glitter-stff - but a week of exfoloiating and whacking on rich body cream will make all the difference.
   maybe some fake tan (the daily) stuff and body gloss type moisturiser on the night???

have a good night!

1. Hmmm, ok, need to make it to M+S sometime then, maybe. I don't think popping out is likely.

1. my brows and lashes are very dark, so tint unlikely to help. Lipgloss makes sense. Might try for undereye concealer, too.

1. Have been exfoliating, skin is nice already, generally. Fake tan not too tempting (I am so so so pale).

If you do try to get a bra, take the dress with you when you go to try them on, so you can be sure it won't show.

no bra

earrings, no necklace

concealer and lips

Next have some not-v-high mary janes which struck me as quite you, eg left page black or silver

fishnet or sheer black

lotion with a bit of shimmer good idea

Under eyes - go for YSL Touche Eclat (Radiant Touch). Quite expensive but worth it!

Ok, lots of good ideas here. May well not bother with the bra, think I will be ok without.

MrsB, am I right in my belief that halter-topped dresses work? I know it's not standard for a pear type person like myself ...

I don't know whether I can get YSL stuff easily - this week is entirely insane, I have stuffed booked most of the time, have taken on a bit of paid work for the first time in 6.5 years, and have my first OU eTMA due. Oh, and I'm ill. Oh, and I've got mad childcare issues about this ball, and am trying to sort them partly by taking care of other people's kids this week. Ha ha ha ha.

I can wander the roman road this morning, and look at shoes. I can get to Space NK Apothecary v easily (next to DS1's school ... could hit it tomorrow maybe if I don't have a spare kid), and can visit Canary wharf on Friday easily, before going home to get changed.

I have good earrings. I might already have sheer tights. I have to shave my legs and my armpits - prob best to do pits same day? So that if I get lots of ingrown hairs it will be on the Saturday?

Ack, I phoned Next, those shoes are unobtainable in my size at the moment. I will try the local shopping road for shoes today I guess. (There are lots of shoe stores there ... but I suspect the shoes are less comfortable/nice than Clarks etc.) Or I can look in the City, but I keep looking at shoe stores online, seeing tempting shoes, and finding they don't go up to a 9.

Could I wear boots with that dress? I've never owned dressy boots, but it's never too late to start.

Hmm, I am slightly feverish today. Not sure it's the best day for shoe shopping, but will try locally anyway.

The person on the phone thought they just weren't available. I can't face buying shoes without trying. I'll go try on the high street now, the shops will be open. I can look in the City this afternoon, or, in a daring last-minute move, in Canary Wharf on Friday. There's a Next there, an LK Bennett, all sorts of little shops.

I thought I needed black shoes? Am inclined towards black, anyway, with big feet. Then sheer black tights (must check if I have!).