I've bought a dress - how do i style it?

[OhFuckBloodyHell]

I've bought a dress to wear to a wedding, see pic. How do I style it? It's very much navy, although looks a bit more like black in the pic. The metal accents on the belt are gold.

I have the pink lipstick already (maybelline firey fuschia) and although I really like it, I'm always scared to wear it as I don't often wear lipstick at all and it's a bit 0-100 from no lipstick to bright pink! But I think maybe this is the occasion to wear it and just power through the anxiety... I'm very pale, so it's quite alarming striking.

So. If I go with the pink. Do I wholeheartedly embrace it and match my shoes (and bag and nails? Too much?). I think this might make me feel the lipstick looks more like a choice and less like a bit out of left field, so I may feel more confident and less self conscious.

I'm a size 16 and 5'6. Although in my head I'm a 12 . The mirror is always a shock. Honestly this dress is the first time in years I've looked in the mirror and not thought 'who's that fat woman? God I look a mess'

Shoes must be flat, cannot do heels anymore.

I also need something to wear if I'm a bit cold. Likely to be a bit of standing around outside for photos. Upper arms are chunky. Elbows doing that dimple thing when arms are straight, would like them covered. Lace/sheer would be ok.

Bag can't be tiny but doesn't need to be big, big. I need to carry some medical stuff the size of a puese. Plus phone, actual purse, scary lipstick etc.

Quite liked the idea of a beaded flowery purse, something fun. But maybe plain would be better?

Wedding isn't at a posh venue, so not super glam, but want to look nice.

Please help.

Oh, meant to mention, I am large in the bust - 30 f roughly.

When is the wedding?

You don't sound very sold on the fuschia lipstick, and it sounds like it's maybe not for your colouring, so possibly re-think that one?

If the wedding is a summer/late spring one, would sandals work rather than ballet pumps?

Personally, think I'd go with a more neutral colour for the shoes like tan or camel, or maybe gold to go with the belt accents. A gold bag would then be nice.

I don't like that pink at all, although it depends on your colouring, of course. I think there are more interesting accent colours - coral would be nicer, if you still want something vaguely pink. Gold would be a good choice.

Going all matchy matchy is so dated - the dress is so plain that you can get away with going a bit clashy with everything else. In fact, everything else plain would make the outfit generally too plain. Something patterned or textured would be great - a beaded bag, or something with sequins or different colours, maybe metallic gold. Definitely get away from the thinking that you have one colour for the dress then everything else in the same colour.

Agree that sandals would be better than ballet pumps, which are no good when you're standing around for hours and look a bit too casual.

What colour is your hair? For photos people always look more pulled together if one part of their outfit is the colour of their hair (or close to that colour).

Dress is fine. Agree the shoes will not look sophisticated - you need something more grown up and contemporary.

Nude heels and lips would look far better than that pink

I think you need to find something to wear over it, before you think about shoes/bag etc. When is the wedding? How warm does the top layer need to be?

I think that bright pink lipstick will look great and make the outfit much more striking. Navy dress plus nude lips would be duller, and if you're attracted to colour, you should go for it! Practice wearing the lipstick now to get used to it, and see if you enjoy it and it suits your skin. That way you'll either feel confident about wearing it, or be able to choose a safer option without regrets.

I don't have any great ideas for styling, though I think nude heels would look a bit dated by now, wouldn't they? They were so popular a few years back. Brighter and flatter shoes would be more fun as well as practical. I agree about not going 'matchy matchy', though I think you could go for one other bright pink accessory to complement the lipstick if you want. Not bag and shoes and lipstick though. Maybe a bright green or metallic would work as a third colour ?

Ok. Right.

Gold sandals, something like this?

And I was looking at these 3 bags yesterday - like them all, but wasn't sure any of them would go?

It's not so much that I don't like the lipstick, I do, and I think it looks nice. It's just very different to how people normally see me. I'd feel much more confident in it if I wore it where no one knew me, if that makes sense? I'm sort of trying to be a bit more brave, though - I've been really ill for several years, so spent a lot of time not going anywhere and actively trying not to be noticed.

Wedding is late March.

And I didn't mean to drip feed - thought it was in the op but must have forgotten to write it... My hair is plum/purple. Would consider dying it a warm brown though.

Bother - these bags

This! This! This! Perfect for March!

All your suggestions are a bit … timid.

No to the pink shoes and the gold sandals.

@TottersBlankly timid??

I'm scared to click your links now!!

The problem at the minute is the shoes and bags all clash and then you need something on top too.

Unlikely to be flipflop weather in March.

Pink shoes ??? But I still think you need to start with a jacket/coat/cover up.

@TottersBlankly

This! This! This! Perfect for March!

All your suggestions are a bit … timid.

Is this the wrong link?

Oh, sorry! It’s a wool cape on the Matches site - on sale. Nothing bad!

No worries.

Lipstick perfect on you.

What sort of cover up thing though? I feel like boleros are horribly dated?

What about an actual jacket. A blazer? Too much work wear vibes?

@TottersBlankly

No worries.

Lipstick perfect on you.

Aw, thanks

Was a bit nervous the reaction was going to be 'bloody hell OP, you look like a clown! Have you considered a red nose and big shoes?!'

I'll be honest I think you need to start again with the shoes. I know you need flats but the shoes are a very statement colour which you are going to have to be mindful of with every other part of the outfit and the ballet style looks quite dated. I'm not sure they are going to compliment the dress. Sorry, I hate saying negative stuff on here but if it were me I would have a look for different footwear and go from there.

I think you should go for pink shoes and a pink shawl/pashmina. Then a gold clutch bag.

I've just seen the shoes that @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie linked - they will be lovely with the dress.
Your lipstick is lovely btw.

Lipstick looks good.

Pale pink jacket?

Pink jacket Last one - in a 16!

The lipstick looks fab, I think you should definitely wear that and try and be confident with looking lovely and glam. I would probably go for gold and pink accessories, so all coordinated but not matchy matchy.