Shoes for this dress

[YoComoManzanas]

Hi I started a new job recently and have been invited on the work christmas do. It's a day to evening event with a curry meal at some point.
I have this dress (which has a subtle sparkle through it and hits my knee) but not sure what shoes to wear. I have flat Chelsea ankle boot or high heel court shoes but think I may want a kitten heel knee boot? Are heels out? The only other women said they don't get too dressed up so need to strike a balance. I'm 40, size 10 and scrub up reasonably well but don't want to look like I'm on the pull iyswim.
Also we start off working (but not really) in the office before going out for drinks and the meal in the city about 2pm.

Our of all of those suggestions the high heeled court shoe would be best. Please don't wear flat Chelsea boots with that dress!

Personally if it was me I would wear black tights and some sort of heeled closed toe shoe.

Honestly I think this looks like an evening/wedding dress to me, especially if the others have said they don't dress up!

Sweet dress but agree it doesn’t look like day wear.

I love that dress! I bet you look great in it.

I'm also not sure if it works as day to evening wear. I don't know how you'd do the day portion without ruining the dress with a big jumper or something.

Hmm. Yes I did wonder if it would work as day to evening wear. I was going to wear a cardigan or poncho over in the day. Perhaps I need a rethink.

Can we see it on you?

Not right now I'm sorting kids out. I'll post again when they're asleep.

I've been a sahm for 8yrs and just going back into my previous role but at a different practise. A bit out of touch with fashion and don't really go out, out much. When I do I tend to wear jeans and a nice top but that would be frowned upon. My new female colleague said some of the women used to get quite glammed up for the office Christmas do, but they along with half the staff were let go over covid. So tough. If I were male I would probably wear smart chinos and a smartish casual shirt, job done.

So this is me in the dress with and without a black cardigan. I'm probably going to wear black tights too.

Its a nice dress but to be honest I wouldn't say its really a works day out outfit. If you are set on wearing it though I would say a block heel barely there sandal would work best

Dress is stunning on you! Hate it with the cardigan.

Could you bring it with you? Wear something else for daytime and then change?

Love the dress but can't see it working with boots. I think heels would look best of even very pointy, patent flats

Ok. I'll have a rethink.

*or

I think it's gorgeous on you but not right for this occasion. Too formal and not much fun! I think more of a day dress with tights and boots would be nice, or something like a blouse and miniskirt, or some wide leg trousers in a nice jewel colour.

Think I need to question my colleagues on what they are wearing.
Can't wear mini skirts I'm too old and have knobbly knees.
What about a pleated midi skirt/ dress?

Yes, I think a pleated skirt sounds like a good option for day to evening wear.

Love how I have spent this entire weekend in leggings and am not dispensing fashion wisdom as if I'm Anna Wintour .

Now*

www.apricotonline.co.uk/pub/media/catalog/product/cache/b8e4e43c3a630ab78c720abf43e7475c/f/1/f1_5051839550674.jpg
Something like this?

That's nice, but I think you can probably do better? You look great in the original dress. I think there may be too much fabric in that one you just linked.

How do you feel about jumpsuits?

If you put quite a big casual plain short jumper/sweatshirt on, then the dress would both be more covering and casual and appropriate and would be converted into a discreet sparkly pencil skirt. I'd then pop black tights and flats on underneath.

More covering would probably feel more comfortable in the day, but this will still highlight your waist etc so be quite "glam".

don't think cardigan and poncho work with it, seems too fussy.

See images. You’ve got a stunning figure - the vibe I get is bodycon is not currently “in” though and things are a bit baggier overall.

Etc

Haha, I actually have a bit of a mum tum I had hidden with control underwear and the ruching on the dress. However yes it may be a bit too cocktail like for a works Christmas curry and pub crawl. I doubt I will last for the mentioned dancing as I'm usually in bed by 10pm.
Used to be quite the party girl in my 20s but these days I'm drunk on 2 glasses of prosecco. Just want to blend in and not draw too much attention to myself really.