What shoes with this dress?

[Donatella]

I am very much a jeans and t shirt kind of person, don't have many opportunities to dress up. I've also lost a lot of weight in the last 2 years and I realised the other day that I have no 'smart' clothes at all. So when I spotted this dress in the sale I picked it up. I'm now wanting to wear it tonight (to the theatre) but don't have any shoes to wear with it (I literally have converse, running trainers, black smart trainers for work, and birkenstocks). I'm hoping to get to a shop today to buy some but I have no idea what style to look for.

Some restrictions - I have really awkward feet - size 8 (a large 8 as well so some 8s don't fit), wide, flat feet. This means that shoes like ballet pumps just don't stay on my feet - I need something across the top of my foot - either a fuller shoe or a strap of some kind. I also don't like spending too much money on shoes, so they need to be reasonably priced and also versatile - able to be worn all year round rather than just in the summer.

Any suggestions for the kind of thing that might work?

Oops forgot the photo!

Any chance of seeing the dress on? Either from the website or on yourself? It's hard to tell the style just on the hanger

Having taken the photo I realise it's not the most flattering style, some shape wear and a better bra may be in order 😭 but here you go anyway

I’d say as the dress isn’t particularly summery, a shoe-boot would work well. Or perhaps a t-bar or Mary Jane style clog? Either of those options would also be versatile with other outfits too

Do you have a New Look near you? They are good for wide fittings.

I’ve got some brogues with a heel that I would probably wear with a dress like that. Mine are from clarks.

Or you could wear this kind of thing
www.marksandspencer.com/wide-fit-leather-tassel-loafers/p/clp60456374?color=BLACK

I'd go for boots as well. I know you said you don't like spending much on shoes but you should spend what you need to get a really good pair of boots that fit your feet well and you can wear with jeans and other outfits. Have a great time at the theatre.

Hmm, I hadn't considered boots, but I'm not sure it would work for me - I have very very wide calves so can't usually get boots that fit anywhere above my ankle, and I'm not sure that shoe boots are that flattering with fat calves?

The dress is okay but I think you would look great in a more fitted style, one with a lower neck line and fitted at the waist, flaring out slightly. This dress totally hides your shape.
But back to the shoes, I'd personally wear it with a shoe boot style. The problem is the cuffs give the dress a mote formal look so the shoe choice is less.

Didn't have time to get a new dress, but will bear that advice in mind for the future - having lost 8stone I'm not used to having a shape I might not want to hide! But I did get these boots which I think will work well.

The boots are lovely. I think they'd go well. Congratulations on the weight loss op. You've done so well. 😊