Help me style this wedding outfit

[NotQuiteUsual]

So basically I have this beautiful Vintage dress it's from the late 80s and is a New York designer dress. It's really sentimental as my sister got it for me. My dad is getting married soon and I'm not sure how to style the dress.

I've got this shrug I'm thinking of? The weather should be good for the day so I might not need anything. I have some lacey, navy coloured dolly shoes and some purple heels. I can't wear heels for very long due to an injury though. I've also got a navy fascinator coming. But honestly I'm lost on how to tie this outfit together. Something doesn't feel right and I can't put my finger on it.

So any ideas would be most welcome, hair, accessories, shoes etc. I am on a budget, but I'm creative!

I would lose the shrug, I think there's too many colours so looks a bit clashing? The dress is awesome, my sister is super into vintage too! Is the skirt of the dress navy? If so navy dolly shoes and the navy fascinator sound good, and would tie in nicely. I wouldn't wear anything necklace wise so you don't detract from the lovely detailing, but maybe some navy and yellow bangles/bracelet cuffs would look good? And your hair in the second photo looks really pretty, up but with a few wisps curled at the sides.

Honestly I'm trying to justify not donating the shrug as it's so pretty but I never wear it!

The hair will be done properly on the day, but it's a french braid from the left side to the right then into a braided bun behind my right ear. I was thinking some proper wispy curls and shove the fascinator where ever it looks best?

I've got a gold choker type thing and gold bangles I was thinking about too. The skirt is navy(and has pockets!!!) Plus dad's wearing Navy so I wanted to match without being matchy matchy.

In literally so excited for his fiancée to finally be an official family member so I really want to nail the look!

I thought at first it was all one outfit and was going to say there was already enough going on!
Agree the shawl s too much and fits r go with the dress.
You don't need a necklace with that detail already going on, but quite bold earrings in a matching colour. Also if wearing a fascinator it should be quite a bold graphic statement- nothing twee. Simple clutch.

I definitely agree with losing the shrug.

Also the necklace being out of scale with the dress.

Anything like earrings or headband/ hat needs to be bold and simple rather than delicate.

It is a lovely dress, a good press and it should look fantastic.

Not the shrug or necklace - too much going on.

I'd say keep it very simple and let the dress be the star of the show. Possibly a fascinator or a navy headband. If you do need a cover up perhaps a navy shawl or cropped jacket might work. Keep them plain.

Thank you everyone, really helpful stuff! I'm useless at refined and classic looks. I'm much more a maximalism, dopamine dresser. I've got a basic navy fascinator which has some lovely slightly iridescent feathers.

What are we thinking for hair and make up? Side bun with a braid or maybe a chignon bin? I was thinking a neutral-orange eye as it helps balance my dark under eyes and should help stop the navy washing me out too much.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DUVB6H2/ref=pe_27063361_485629781_TE_item

This is the fascinator. I wanted something not too much but with some versatility in where to put it.

Agree with all.
No shrug or necklace. Maybe a small bracelet.
Fascinating will work well.

I'd get a navy blazer and sandals.
Maybe search Vinted for a bag similar in colour to the yellow or the dress.

I hate fascinators but when I clicked on yours I thought "nice", it's a great choice, to go with your fab dress.

I dont think that flowery fascintor really goes - domething like this with the pearls removed?
https://prettykittyfashion.co.uk/products/navy-blue-vintage-retro-pillbox-hat-fascinator

I agree that you should go without a necklace

I'd play up the pretty geometric design of your beautiful dress - and wear a navy, block heel mary jane shoe. Something like:

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/footwear/shoes/wide-fit-navy-suedette-block-heel-mary-jane-shoes/p/855019241

I love the pill box hat, but my concern is mixing 40s/50s classic styles with the more modern dress. I'd definitely like some feathers too, purely for sentimental reasons I won't go into because it makes no sense for anyone but me!

I love those shoes so, so much they're literally perfect. Unfortunately I can't wear heels that high without destroying my hips. I can only manage two inches for about an hour. I miss high heels so much. I used to live in them.

@dudsville I generally hate fascinators too! I just love how the feathers remind me of magpies on this one though.

https://m.marketplace.asos.com/listing/shoes/araceli-block-heel-mary-jane-pumps-in-navy-blue-suede/7587420?affid=23853&gclid=CjwKCAjwvpCkBhB4EiwAujULMkPbqf7u9xOgjuf13rTl21OG-wC4A9NjMmdQIpVuQzdAfH-wAu9hhxoCYcoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&WT.ac=redirect%7c7587420&mp-mobile=1
I've just seen these shoes which I could wear for the ceremony and photos. They're similar to those beautiful ones posted upthread, but low enough for me. Bit too bright maybe, but since they're the shoes it should be fine.

I see 80s does 60s when I look at your beautiful dress - thats why I think a Jackie O style pill box would work with lovely flick eyeliner!

I get that you want feathers - would you be able to add feathers to a corsage on your wrist or bag?

Sorry about the heels 😞 - those ones are crazy high but I'm sure you could find lower ones?

It's a beautiful dress and a family occasion you're clearly looking forward to so I'm sure you'll be beautiful whatever you wear x

That dress is so unusual and great for the occasion. All the suggestions so far hit the spot, keep it plain and use block colours, navy being the key. You could get a yellow clutch/small bag to even things out. The fascinator is fine.

Have you decided on anything to cover up? I think a cropped boxy blazer might look too "officey" and it would have to be near enough exact match for the dress to look ok. I'd get a navy wrap/shrug of some sort just to finish things off. Here's one for example, but there are loads out there.

Ups Scarf Evening Shawl WRAP SOFT LACE WRAPS Wrap Cover Pashmina Tulle WEDDING | eBay

There is a hatred of them here on MN, but honestly very little else really fits the bill for weddings IMO.

Love these!

The pillbox hat and the shoes you linked would be great. Maybe a very neat navy shrug like this would work.

Love your dress !
Forget the shrug on this occasion 💐

Oh I do like the idea of 80s does 60s. All these suggestions are brilliant. I might just steal DHs suit jacket if I get chilly. He'll be boiling in it anyway. I'll put what I've got together and have a play with all these ideas.

Thank you everyone honestly you have no idea how much you've helped.

I wouldn’t wear a cover-up or shrug unless you’re worried about being cold (if you’re happy to just borrow your partner’s jacket later in the evening then I’d probably go for that option).

For jewellery, I’d go for fairly simple gold earrings and/or bracelets. Maybe something vintage like these: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1181574888/vintage-style-blue-hoop-earrings-cobalt?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=80s+gold+earrings+blue+enamel&ref=sc_gallery-1-10&pro=1&sts=1&plkey=d5a9c6ee3df78f3a28409a2e78538a92754483ff%3A1181574888
I wouldn’t wear a necklace because I think it would probably distract from the details around the neckline.

For shoes I’d probably go for something like this if you can’t wear high heels: https://www.next.co.uk/style/st577439/418733#418733
or these if you’re looking for something more affordable: https://www.next.co.uk/style/st040174/t70909#t70909

To keep the dress and jewellery looking ‘cool vintage’ rather than ‘80s/60s dress up’ I’d keep your hair and makeup pretty simple and modern.
For makeup I’d probably go for something like this: https://www.lisaeldridge.com/blogs/videos/it-s-a-classic-a-brown-smokey-eye (although you could try using a cooler brown/grey shadow and a touch of navy liner on your eyes instead).
For hair, if you can afford it then I’d go for a blow dry and style on the morning of the wedding. I have very similar hair to you and find it impossible to guarantee it’ll look neat if I do it myself (you might be much better at styling it than I am though). I’d probably ask for something that’s just a neater more volumised version of your own hair or a simple chignon with some loose curls.
I personally wouldn’t wear the fascinator- the dress doesn’t need it and it’s a bit of a clash of styles. If you want to incorporate feathers then these earrings would be a nice alternative: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1322344003/navy-blue-acetate-and-ostrich-feather?click_key=3306e9edda6d294f4857bd92c69215a8c61be2b1%3A1322344003&click_sum=6cef8dc9&ref=shop_home_active_13&pro=1&frs=1

If you’re taking a handbag then I’d try to avoid anything too ‘matchy’. Maybe a tan leather bag like this: https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/bags/shoulderbags/product.braided-leather-messenger-bag-beige.1149714001.html (you could definitely find a cheaper alternative too).

The dress is strong enough to carry itself, I would lose the shrug and the necklace and have one simple gold braclet and very simple gold earrings if you have pierced ears.

Navy shoes will be fine

Got these shoes today for £1.50 and they're so comfortable. The wedge helps with my hips too so there's a win! I couldn't find a suitable bag as most of the charity shops were shut today. I also got a bun donut to do a chignon and I'll clip the fascinator on the top of it at the back. To give some interest to the back without it distracting from the dress.

Bargain! They look really nice too. Would love to see a photo when you're all dressed up!