Shoes vs dresses (for an event)

[EnterFunnyNameHere]

Hi all, looking for some advice as I'm out of my comfort zone...!

I have been invited to an industry awards event. It's very unlikely that I will actually win anything (!), but if my company does I might well end up collecting "on behalf of", and regardless there will probably be photos taken.

I have a very "informal" style, usually a shorts/tshirts/hoodies/sneakers sort really. So I'm well out of my comfort zone! I have three dresses I like (and basically fit), the middle is my favourite but I've put on a bit of weight since I got it and it errs slightly on the "over-stuffed sausage" at present... the one on the left is also nice but goes out a bit more over my bigger waist than I'd like... I have two slightly more smart pairs of shoes, but I'm not sure either pair go with any dress!

So basically, I'd love some advice on whether either pair of shoes goes with any dress, and if not, ideas for a dress which matches the shoes or shoes that match the dress!

Probably pertinent: I have eu42 feet and prefer round toed shoes as I think pointy toes make my feet look enormous. I'd also prefer lower heels if possible as I'm tall already and want to look photogenic in a crowd... For clothes I'm an 16-18 bottom (closer to 18) and a 14-16 top (closer to 14).

So I'm picky as well as everything else I'm afraid, I just think I look crap in most smarter stuff so stick to more casual - I'd really like to not cringe whenever I see these photos in future as they'll be in a few newsletter etc 😔 Thank you for any advice or ideas!

@Katrinawaves that dress is gorgeous! I'd like a long sleeve dress but I've never found one with sleeves long enough... jumpers & coats I get by wearing mens ones or over-sized to get the length, but not an option with a dress!

If I could find some dressier shoes I'd treat myself, I just struggle with shoes in general (feet just bigger than a lot of brands go, a bit wide in the toe, fallen arches etc) so it's jot something I enjoy! Hence living in boots as much as possible, easier to find comfy boots than shoes!!

What about something like these? They would work well with the navy dress, add a little bit of glam but look quite comfortable to wear and not too high a heel.

https://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/p/hd682?optionColour=SILVER&optionSize=7&promo=6202&gbraid=0AAAAAD_UHHfzO10z5tvyJz3KrpU74IVRc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI37XC_djmgQMVDIKDBx1a5gL4EAQYCSABEgIbGfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

@Katrinawaves those are quite nice, I'd definitely give them a go! Or maybe these?

https://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/p/xy734

?

If I did get some silver would be a good call as would work with more other dresses in future than a specific colour I guess...

cuff bangles;

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1316689556/octopus-tentacles-cuff-bracelet-handmade?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=&ref=sr_gallery-1-15&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

even better

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1031794079/colourful-cuff-bracelet-artistic-wide?click_key=6886503b15f20c627d728c1e0d4989581c808b67%3A1031794079&click_sum=ab7c0823&ref=shop_home_active_6&crt=1&sts=1

Oh I love that! Yes! Thank you!

Shoe clips might be a good solution for you OP. You could stick with the blue flats you know are comfy and fit but snaz them up a bit. Etsy has loads. https://www.etsy.com/uk/market/shoe_clips

Another thing I've never heard of, thank you!

Oh yes! Those are nice.

I think the blue dress and blue shoes are fine unless you feel comfortable buying some of the silver shoes suggested on here.
Don’t buy high heels if they make you feel self conscious.
I doubt that many of the posters on here are 6 foot tall and if they were, they would not be suggesting you buy heels and just go for it.
I would be very careful about having your make up done professionally. If you do, make sure to tell them you want a completely natural look. A lot of make up artists pile make up on and you really want to avoid that.

I love this dress and M&S have got some black pointy toe high heel shoes with bit of a sparkle to them. Very inexpensive even if you only wear them a few times.

Thanks @Daffodilwoman. It is tricky because I do totally agree that I am this height and there's not much I can do about it, so just lean into it. But when you're taller than at least half the men, and 6inches+ taller than the women barefoot it is hard! Not so much for just existing, but having a conversation in a crowded room over background music with a group of people is hard when you can see clear over all their heads - as in, genuinely hard to hear what's going on etc!

Noted on make up, thank you!

I was at a business awards ceremony on Thursday night. The blue dress would have fitted in fine. There's a lot more latitude for women than men at these events.

The silver shoes are a good suggestion.

Just looked at the Sosander dress- the OP's dress is nicer. I really dislike that very cheap, faux glamour look. The OP's middle dress is better than that. The middle dress would have been ok too at the event I was at.

Yes, yes, yes. Those pumps with your blue dress will look good.

Ignore all the "get high heels" and cheap dress suggestions.

But who said she should get high heels?

caringcarer · Today 17:28

I love this dress and M&S have got some black pointy toe high heel shoes with bit of a sparkle to them. Very inexpensive even if you only wear them a few times.

^^

@EnterFunnyNameHere look at the photo you included of a similar event - the women all look good. They are understated and mono coloured. Patterns tend to look less classy. Why don't you buy something for the event then resell online or you may even want to keep! How about a navy velvet dress?
https://www.dorothyperkins.com/product/yumi-navy-velvet-kimono-midi-dress_p-515c4fa3-b51b-44d1-a824-15927468ad1c?colour=Navy

If sleeves are a problem could you push them back to three quarter length, or have them altered to just below elbow length? I have long arms and just push them back to three quarter length.

Another vote for the blue dress and I agree with an earlier poster there is much more latitude for females at these events!

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I think the main thing is to try and get some nicer shoes (preferably silver) as everything looks dressier with nicer shoes! And if I see a dress I like, all the better (aiming for understated).

I do like this one, not sure it counts as understated...?
https://www.monsoon.co.uk/ella-embellished-cape-dress-blue-64636454.html

That was me.

At the one I was at this week there were floor length, midis, knee length, minis, of various degrees of sparkliness and plain, silk, satin, velvet, cotton (the famous Anthropologie Bettina dress made another appearance)

4 women at my table- 2 were wearing long, slinky dresses but one was wearing a knee length, satiny, black floral long sleeved shift dress I'd have worn as a day dress. My own dress was more dressy than the latter but less than the former.

And at least one person was wearing the same dress and flat black evening shoes she wore the previous year. I noticed it because it was such a beautiful dress - why not wear it whenever possible?

@EnterFunnyNameHere have you looked at the wrap dress available from Snag? They're the company that do tights to fit every body shape and size and their clothes are amazing! I have their wrap dress and it is unbelievably flattering (I'm also a 14/16)
It would go with either of the shoes in your pics. Could dress it up with jewellery and a little make up while still being very comfortable and something you could wear again down the line. Also won't break the bank.

snagtights.com/collections/dresses/products/wrap-around-dress-denim?variant=40587409326122

I’m tall too, op, with relatively large feet.
I always, always wear black clothes with very simple lines and no frills, lace or sequins and glam it up with subtle but beautiful jewellery. I make sure my hair and makeup looks great and I walk tall. At the moment I’m favouring long slim fitting tube dresses or trouser suits. Let your height be the feature that allows you to look fabulous while still feeling comfortable and like yourself.

OP that Monsoon cape dress is fantastic! Get it!

and it should go well with the blue flat shoes that you have.

I totally agree with @fernsandlilies - the Monsoon dress is perfect and you already have shoes to go with it.