Are skater dresses too young / outdated?

[Thenamesnotbond]

I am trying to save money and found this dress in my wardrobe. Is it too short / young and ‘5 seasons ago’ for a person in their 40s to wear to a wedding reception?
If it’s ok, any summer shoe suggestions for someone who hates sandals / toes 🤮?
TIA

It's certainly not 'mutton dressed as lamb', and you have indeed got a cracking figure. There's absolutely no reason why you shouldn't wear it. I'd see it as a very safe and rather 'nothing' choice though and think you could do far better.

No to espadrilles or nude courts! They bring it firmly into 'I'm not interested in fashion and just want to look nice' territory. (Which you may do, and that's great, but I guess that's not why you're asking, I bet you want to look amazing!).

I absolutely get that you don't want to spend money, what else have you got in your wardrobe? Any other contenders?

PS, all the PPs that are saying it looks great are right, but that's because you have a great figure not because it's a great dress. It's a very 'meh' dress.

@Usernamen ah Thankyou

Just to say that I'm just back from two weeks in France - one in Paris and one in the south, and French women have not got the memo that espadrilles and wedges are out - I've never seen such a concentration of them in my life (and I've lived in France, so can pick out the native speakers pretty easily).

And I care about French women because...

Espadrilles and wedges aren't out, but with this dress they'd make it look more dated imo. I second the nude mule or peep toe.
And French women wearing smt doesn't make it fabulous fashion automatically, there are just as unfashionable frenchies as there are brits.

You absolutely don't have to care about French women. I'm just pointing out that
No to espadrilles or nude courts! They bring it firmly into 'I'm not interested in fashion and just want to look nice' territory.
if the OP was really interested in being on the extreme cutting edge of fashion, she wouldn't be asking this question and likely is in 'just want to look nice territory' (and she does and there's nothing wrong with that).

@AmaraTamara
And French women wearing smt doesn't make it fabulous fashion automatically, there are just as unfashionable frenchies as there are brits.

Um, yes, obviously. However, France was, at this moment in time, teeming with fashionable women wearing espadrilles and wedges.

I don't think these look dated.

Thanks for all the comments, lots to consider. There seem to be varied views on the dress and the shoe options but I guess tastes, and fashions, vary.

Thanks for the compliments as well!

I’m trying to save money and avoid buying items when I have hinges in my wardrobe. My problem is I struggle with what in my wardrobe is ‘classic’ and can be re purposed v ‘dated’.

The other dresses in my wardrobe are all a similar style just different colours.

I know chunky sandals are a shoe trend but I didn’t have a clue what the current smart alternatives were. I think it’s more about looking nice / classic than fashionable.

I definitely need fashion to return to skinny jeans and shorter dresses 😀

and would hate to be ‘mutton dressed as lamb’
Wash yer mouth out! Sexist and ageist term.

Dress is gorgeous and you have a lovely figure.

Just because they're Rockstuds it doesn't make them good, I hate Rockstuds in all their forms, so your example does bugger-all for me.

Anyhoo!

@Thenamesnotbond if you're aiming to look nice, then you look nice in that dress, do not fret.

You say you have similar in your wardrobe, do you have one in a plain colour?

@FFSCarrieBradshaw I’ve realised most are way to work / casual. I also seem to have nothing plain 😀 This is the other option

Sorry OP but this second dress does nothing for me. The pattern reminds me of kids tv presenter and the belt downgrades rather than upgrades.

The spotty dress is nice but not very wedding-y.

@user2155340308842 , those studded espadrilles are trashy. they'd be OK without the studs.

The spotty one does look a bit dated.
It might be okay in the day with white canvas trainers/converse. Not weddingy though.

The problem with both those dresses (lovely and flattering as they are) is the length is wrong and makes them look dated. Right now skirts and dresses are long or short, no knee lengths, so it does rather make you look like you arrived in from 2015. However it all depends on the wedding, I seem to be a serial wedding guest and lots of women in their 40's wear flattering knee length dresses, I wouldn't, Im a v similar shape to you and despite having great legs don't love myself in a mini skirt so stick to midis with high splits in the middle, the skirt falls away when you sit and ta da legs!!

These 2 dresses are my most recent purchases.....Zara sizing and price mean most come from there, would be The Reformation if I could afford it

you've got the figure for it! If I saw you in this I'd be envious that you could wear it so well as I'd look dumpy in it. Lovely dress

You look great in both but if I'm being honest the second looks pretty dated to me in that slightly fussy 2010 vein.

I prefer the second. Floral print with a fit and flare shape are much more classic.

In my opinion courts or wedges would lean into the 2000s-does-1950s retro territory more and make it more dated (although pretty classic still).

I saw some pointed flats with an ankle strap (sorry, can't think where but the shape was quite elegant) that may work. Otherwise I'd suggest some delicate 'barely there' sandals. I also think nicely polished tan brogues could look good with a floral dress.

Sorry- the second looks dated to me and I prefer the first, that should read!

I think the first one looks great OP.

Thanks everyone I will stick with the first

@Frogmila i have some tan brogues already, I might give them a try thanks for the idea

I'd go with one rather than two, pointy flats could be a good call.

But I wouldn't buy shoes specifically to wear with the dress, I'd buy a new dress instead!

I know you're trying to save money but a great versatile occasion dress is always a good investment.

I'd avoid tan brogues, with that dress it makes me think of Zooey Deschanel in New Girl (cute at the time, but very ten years ago). I think pointy heels or flats would work (sandals better but you don't do toes), but agree if you're spending money spend it on a dress and wear shoes you already have.