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Original poster

Flat shoes for this dress?

36 replies

Socksandfrocks · 02/09/2023 17:59

Bought today for work, meetings, Networking events but not sure kind of shoes to wear with this kind of dress apart from heels.
I'd normally wear some small heeled strappy sandals or boots like the model, probably smart trainers if wearing casual.
There's a red version of it and the model wears flat ballet shoes and I think it looks awful and frumpy.
For reference I'm only short and a size 18 so can't have anything too bulky.

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/light-grey-snake-print-satin-wrap-midi-dress/p/874064908?extcam=UK_PPC_PMax_Generics_Priority_Google_DV_m_AGID__PRID_8740777&_cclid=Google_Cj0KCQjwusunBhCYARIsAFBsUP8Fs3fxwlW8sE0qDp2eoNmim1gFSwY-YGPXsMYrwqD42VTzTzG-IsMaAlQ_EALw_wcB&gclid=Cj0KCQjwusunBhCYARIsAFBsUP8Fs3fxwlW8sE0qDp2eoNmim1gFSwY-YGPXsMYrwqD42VTzTzG-IsMaAlQ_EALw_wcB

OP posts:
MidnightOnceMore · 02/09/2023 18:10

I don't think the red dress with flats looks wrong due to lack of heel, it is just a different look. I personally don't like the solid black shoe colour with the pinky tone (due to mix of red & white) of the dress. But the shoe itself is fine imo.

p.s. I always reject the word 'frumpy', hate it!

Original poster
Socksandfrocks · 02/09/2023 18:38

MidnightOnceMore · 02/09/2023 18:10

I don't think the red dress with flats looks wrong due to lack of heel, it is just a different look. I personally don't like the solid black shoe colour with the pinky tone (due to mix of red & white) of the dress. But the shoe itself is fine imo.

p.s. I always reject the word 'frumpy', hate it!

Not very helpful when I've already said I don't like the look, and I do think it looks "frumpy" and would look even more so on myself (sticking with my use of the word)

OP posts:
NatashaDancing · 02/09/2023 19:34

MidnightOnceMore · 02/09/2023 18:10

I don't think the red dress with flats looks wrong due to lack of heel, it is just a different look. I personally don't like the solid black shoe colour with the pinky tone (due to mix of red & white) of the dress. But the shoe itself is fine imo.

p.s. I always reject the word 'frumpy', hate it!

Agreed. A red ballet flat or pump would be fine.

The heeled, pointy ankle boots don't work with the other 2 colours.

Northbright · 02/09/2023 19:39

Sticking with New Look..or any type of black patent loafers?

Flat shoes for this dress?
NatashaDancing · 02/09/2023 19:40

learieonthewildmoor · 02/09/2023 19:14

A block heel loafer or a chunky sole like this one:
https://stepaheadshoes.com.au/shop/asha-black/

Each to their own but those shoes are spectacularly ugly..

It's not my style of dress but if I were to wear it would be flat ballet flats, pumps, or possibly loafers (as long as they weren't soled with tractor tyres) or flat knee boots.

FairlySane · 02/09/2023 19:43

The red version with ballet pumps looks good IMO 😊

Doggymummar · 02/09/2023 20:01

Block heel brogues or loafers, they are everywhere at all price points. Or heeled Mary Janes.

Original poster
Socksandfrocks · 02/09/2023 20:08

WtfHormones · 02/09/2023 19:48

I tried them on today, but fit awful. I was thinking along them lines.

I think the original ones I mentioned, the straps just don't look good, remind me of school shoes.

OP posts:
Original poster
Socksandfrocks · 02/09/2023 20:10

Doggymummar · 02/09/2023 20:01

Block heel brogues or loafers, they are everywhere at all price points. Or heeled Mary Janes.

I tried some chunky brogues against the dress today tbh and not sure if it's just because I'm short, they looked really bulky for a workday.

I'm thinking heeled in someway is needed just might seem best to balance it out.

OP posts:
CapEBarra · 02/09/2023 20:41

I’d wear a chunky boot with that dress - maybe in oxblood or tan. Maybe something like these:

https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/radley/radley-new-row-ld31-242396#colcode=24239605

https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/dune-london/patsie-d-ankle-boots-233808#colcode=23380805

https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/alohas/east-boot-238620#colcode=23862005

I agree that the ballet flats are awful.

Original poster
Socksandfrocks · 02/09/2023 20:56

CapEBarra · 02/09/2023 20:41

Love the idea of the heeled knee leg boots, I've seen that work well before.

I would prefer a flats option though, standing up for hours in heels at networking events is a pain😅

OP posts:
UntidyFairy · 03/09/2023 00:15

Well the dress is wrong. Not suitable for work, meetings, or networking events.
Surprised I'm the first person to say it. More suitable for having friends round for brunch or a relaxed afternoon barbecue.

But I'm old. What do I know?

NatashaDancing · 03/09/2023 00:32

UntidyFairy · 03/09/2023 00:15

Well the dress is wrong. Not suitable for work, meetings, or networking events.
Surprised I'm the first person to say it. More suitable for having friends round for brunch or a relaxed afternoon barbecue.

But I'm old. What do I know?

I don't think it's suitable for work, if work means office, but that wasn't the question.

I don't think it's suitable for brunch or a barbecue either. It would be ok for an evening business networking event.

NatashaDancing · 03/09/2023 00:36

CapEBarra · 02/09/2023 20:41

Again each to their own but I think all of those would look terrible with that dress.

They're far too clumpy and clunky and I think it needs a flat heel.

Original poster
Socksandfrocks · 03/09/2023 09:15

UntidyFairy · 03/09/2023 00:15

Well the dress is wrong. Not suitable for work, meetings, or networking events.
Surprised I'm the first person to say it. More suitable for having friends round for brunch or a relaxed afternoon barbecue.

But I'm old. What do I know?

How is it not suitable for work? 😂 you don't even know what I do for work.
I do work in an office, and this is what people wear these days. Curious to understand what you deem suitable.

Plus It's way too nice for a casual barbeque.

It is more networking for events and meetings but depending on the time I could be in the office before or after.

OP posts:
NatashaDancing · 03/09/2023 09:54

The split is quite high. I honestly can't think I've seen anyone wearing a dress split like that in any office I've worked in - possibly ok on back room staff who aren't client facing.

If you're sitting down at a meeting it's going to show a lot of leg. If you're standing up at a networking event, it will be ok.

And before you or anyone else starts on the "pearl clutching" "what's wrong with legs" road, it's got nothing to do with "pearl clutching" and everything to do with what women in my sector, and the other professional sectors I interact with, wear. But of course you're the best judge of what would be ok in yours.

New Look itself describes it as
A must-have pick for date night and drinks with the girls, style it up with a heeled boot and clutch bag for a touch of evening glamour.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 03/09/2023 10:22

Not sure that satin and a thigh high slit is terribly work appropriate. I also hate the word 'frumpy' - I really wish women would stop using it.

If I wanted flats, I'd go for pointed slingbacks. Otherwise, I'd go for boots - either suede knee/over the knee or ankle boots with a bit of a heel, maybe even western style.

Original poster
Socksandfrocks · 03/09/2023 10:45

NatashaDancing · 03/09/2023 09:54

The split is quite high. I honestly can't think I've seen anyone wearing a dress split like that in any office I've worked in - possibly ok on back room staff who aren't client facing.

If you're sitting down at a meeting it's going to show a lot of leg. If you're standing up at a networking event, it will be ok.

And before you or anyone else starts on the "pearl clutching" "what's wrong with legs" road, it's got nothing to do with "pearl clutching" and everything to do with what women in my sector, and the other professional sectors I interact with, wear. But of course you're the best judge of what would be ok in yours.

New Look itself describes it as
A must-have pick for date night and drinks with the girls, style it up with a heeled boot and clutch bag for a touch of evening glamour.

As I mentioned I'm only short, less than 5ft so the slit comes up to my knee, not my thigh so nothing is shown. In winter I would wear with tights and boots. I wear slits in my skirts and dresses daily and never flashed anyone.
I will also put a stitch in so it's not low cut, no lower than a generic white shirt. It's a standard shirt dress.

Its barely satin either, more of a shiny polyester type material.

OP posts:
Mildmanneredmum · 03/09/2023 11:44

You've lost me at shiny polyester

Original poster
Socksandfrocks · 03/09/2023 12:07

Mildmanneredmum · 03/09/2023 11:44

You've lost me at shiny polyester

😂 what else do you get from cheap high store shops

OP posts: