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.

Lipstick suits you - I'd pick the colour up in the bag - black background with pink flowers perhaps like this

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1171615037/floral-crossbody-bagvelvet-crossbody?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pink+and+black+floral+handbag&ref=sc_gallery-2-5&frs=1&listing_id=1171615037&listing_slug=floral-crossbody-bagvelvet-crossbody&plkey=cd0871173330ed32dd1d3584182b1ccd43109814%3A1171615037

or this if its big enough

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1161786032/handmade-evening-bag-and-original?click_key=ec05a7812bfbbcc56df532f53bed0a74a7a10b64%3A1161786032&click_sum=3b9c16f1&ref=search_recently_viewed-1&frs=1&sts=1

If you're worried about goosebumps you could buy something like this to go under the dress - I have a couple and they are a game changer with evening dresses.

www.pourmoi.co.uk/products/make-a-scene-lace-arm-sleeve/

I like the shoes - but don't think I can stretch to £90... Are these any good?

I like a pink jacket in theory, just a bit worried a pale colour on my top half will make it look even bigger than it already is? Thoughts?

Short navy jacket? Also comes in pale pink, but I don't think that specific pink works with the shoes?

Yes the lipstick suits you and will be nice and cheery for a wedding. I like the dress. I'd go for pointed flats with some kind of embellishment on them. You could glue something glittery on the front if need be. And a colourful patterned shawl to go round your shoulders

Do not wear pale pink

I wouldn't go navy jacket, because you might end up with slightly different shades, or too blue.

I like those ballet shoes, but not sure if ballet shoes will go with the dress. Think you might need a strap for a bit of interest.

I like the original bright pink shoes you've chosen and yes they would go nicely with your lipstick. Nothing wrong with that choice at all and I think it would suit you far better than pale pink.

Looking at your photo navy and bright pink do suit you very much

I like the shoes and lipstick and the bag - bottom right with pink accents!

I think you can rock the pink!

@BluebellsGreenbells which shoes, the original ones?

I don’t normally like lipstick but that colour really suits you.

Styling… You have so many options but personally I’d got for a small sparkly pendant, long sparkly earrings from accessorise, and a silvery or gold pashmina

I know I’m being unhelpful but the jackets you’ve shown are really dated. And, again, timid. Is it that you have a fixed idea in your head of how a wedding guest should be dressed?

@TottersBlankly I don't think it's a fixed idea - more that I don't think I've actually been anywhere to dress up since Xmas 2019! Back when I was thinner. And I wfh, so don't actually see people and what they're wearing day to day.

Everything I do see is so frilly and high necked, it makes me look really frumpy and matronly. I think it's the big bust - just not compatible!

So I'm completely lost.

Would a pashmina be better? I thought they were dated?

God no to a pashmina!

Yes I like the bright shoes.

I like colours generally:

The most memorable dress I saw at a wedding was navy with a bright pink lining!

They are good together.

kimono?

I like the idea of gold and nude. I don’t think the pink will look nice with the navy.

I like the lipstick tho! But wouldn’t wear the pink accessories to match

Three things from Zara. The cardigan probably wouldn’t be for the wedding.

Love the lipstick on you!

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)

Please explain! I have chestnut hair with really red highlights.

Yet I’m cool toned, and chestnut as a colour would look dreadful on me.

Matching hair to outfit???? Total codswallop.

Yes to kimono type jacket, if you can find one with bright pink and navy then great but no longer than hip length. Flats are fine but pointed toes much smarter. I got done great flatform sandals that look dressy without being actually high

www.clarks.co.uk/c/Un-Karely-Sun/p/26141689

Bit out of left field, but maybe?