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!

Haha they are from Joe Browns, but at least a couple of years old so no idea if they have any current stock similar I'm afraid!!

I don’t like the Monsoon dress either. It’s giving me halloween vibes. I’d stick to your own dress. Buy some silver flattish shoes if you want or sandals and have your have done.

You're right. There's a fancy dress vibe about it.

It's not cheap either. If OP wanted to spend that amount of money I think she could do better than it.

I think im going to just try some silver shoes and stick with what I've got. I think to really fit the bill I'd need floor length(ish) which is a) a pain given my height and b) not something I'd want to wear again as it's not my style at all.

Better of saving my money for something I'll enjoy!!

Or maybe try and get something longer but more understated like this?

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/tall-green-satin-pleated-wrap-midaxi-dress/p/875333439

I think I've officially lost the plot at this point - argh!!

That is a lovely dress too @EnterFunnyNameHere. I really think you need something new.

I think that’s sensible. Last time I went to a black tie event no one was wearing anything floor length. I think normally black tie means a nice dress so you will be grand.

I am honestly going to bore even myself now, and I fully acknowledge that - but @EnterFunnyNameHere do you really feel an adult size 18 woman can be adequately and stylishly covered for £37.00? (New not second hand.) Online shops can do wondrous things with models and lighting and digital enhancing …

Of course it’s not impossible, and we all obviously buy what we can afford. (I don’t need a million comments telling me so.) But this is an event at which you want to look your best. Isn’t it an opportunity to find something really excellent that you would want to wear again?

The top of the green dress is fine, and the colour is lovely. Not sure the pleats would be the best choice. (This is only my opinion, feel free to ignore!)

I love that green dress for you! Not too matchy with the blue shoes you already have. Not too expensive. Hair done up, minimal jewellery, just do your own minimal make-up. You’ll look great. The aim here is to be a slightly dressier version of yourself. Not fancy dress as a different person. Being physically comfortable in what you’re wearing will make the biggest difference to how you look. Don’t forget to have fun!

The green dress is gorgeous.

It's not that I disagree, but I have tried and even owned (graduation etc!!) pretty expensive good quality clothes. They didn't fit me any better than the cheap ones, and definitely didn't make me feel good about myself!

I would happily spend decent money on something that fits and that I like, but that is much more likely to be patterned (because I like patterns) and short (because I like getting my legs out!) which won't be any use here 😁I've spent a lot of time looking, and I can't find anything (even when looking at the £200+ cost bracket) that fits the bill of long and understated/classy that I actually like.

I do appreciate your input, but I think im not in a space of "wanting to throw a big budget at looking amazing", I'm very much in "not looking terrible or sticking out like a sore thumb" mindset.

I honestly don't think my blue dress (or that green one) is significantly less nice/fancy than the ones in the photo of the last similar award event to be honest - probably just showing my ignorance of fashion, but it's not a fashion-related event, so will anyone else notice, who knows!!

I know this is more expensive than you'd like but it's patterned and you can get your legs out?

www.boohoo.com/damask-plunge-maxi-party-dress/GZZ23627.html?color=105

But if not that, boohoo has loads of dresses for about £10 that would be good enough

www.boohoo.com/chiffon-cowl-strappy-maxi-dress/GZZ59647.html?color=148

Your own blue dress is nicer than the other suggestions to buy new. And that includes the latest suggestions from BooHoo.

The Monsoon cape dress is fussy. Tbh I didn't like it to begin with but now that Daffodilwoman mentioned Halloween I can't unsee it as fancy dress. It also doesn't look as if it costs £175.(And not in the good way that brands like Cos, Sister Jane or Heritage Clothing which look more expensive than they are)

The colour of the New Look one is lovely but I'm sceptical about what the quality would be in real life.

The BooHoo dresses are simply awful.

I honestly don't think my blue dress (or that green one) is significantly less nice/fancy than the ones in the photo of the last similar award event to be honest

Nor do I. You could Photoshop yourself, in your dress, into that photo and you'd look fine.

That first one is really nice, but I thought all over pattern wasn't suitable for black tie? I'm also aware that on my the sleeves would probably end mid-forearm and the whole thing would be above the ankle 😁

The second is fine, but a lot of people have said floor length is not completely essential, so not sure it's better than what I've already got?

Nice back up though, thank you!

Floor length is not essential. I'd say less than 50% of the women at the industry awards dinner I was at last week were wearing floor length. I wasn't. The nicest dress by far was a midi dress which its wearer has worn at least once before.

Your own dress is a gazillion times nicer than those Boohoo dresses.

I was only talking about the green dress, @EnterFunnyNameHere, not the original blue one.

And I certainly wouldn’t advocate spending any huge amount on something you wouldn’t intend to wear again. In fact it’s only on MN that I’ve come to understand that people find it normal to buy ‘one off’ outfits. I have no experience of that. I don’t think there need be a huge gap between festive clothes and normal clothes - I don’t own anything sparkly, for instance, and probably wouldn’t buy anything floor length for An Event. So I essentially agree with your pov!

Thanks @NatashaDancing, I think im actually getting more confused and stressed than less! I think the key is nicer shoes (regardless of dress!) if possible as I do think nice shoes make an outfit look "on purpose". I might try the green new look one as I like green on me, and can always send it back!

I agree about the Cape dress being a bit Halloween-y, but honestly that's probably what drew me to it 😄 I don't have very classy tastes apparently! I think also as I don't wear make up or "do" my hair, a dress with some embellishments works better. I think in a plain coloured "classic" dress you need a bit more impact in hair & make up?

Thanks @MuddlerInLaw 🙂

EnterFunnyNameHere

Honestly your own dress is fine, better than fine. It's nicer than anything that's been suggested on here.

( You can wear patterns to black tie - that's not the reason to reject the BooHoo dress)

but if my company does I might well end up collecting "on behalf of", and regardless there will probably be photos taken.

I also think your flat blue pumps are perfectly fine too because, not that there's anything wrong with them but (a) most of the evening your feet won't even be seen and (b) if you have to collect an award you most likely will have to go up steps on to a stage - falling over in high heels will be an infinitely worse look.

Honestly if you want a new dress go for it - if not your existing outfit is fine.

That's a very good point. I'm actually OK in heels if they are low (I used to wear stilettos all the time so I might be fine in any!).

I definitely prefer heeled boots as they are more firmly attached at which point I'm fine (even survived a long walk on icy pavementswhen very very drunk with no issues last Christmas!). So I think it will be a judgement call on how stable they feel on my feet,and not more than an inch or two.

It's one thing being 6'4" in a photo by myself, totally another when in a group shot, at the back (as always) just showing up as a floating head!! 😀

I'm 5'10" and find there's rarely any point in buying something online that isn't specifically labelled 'Tall'. (It does mean maxis can do good service as midis though.)
So the green New Look dress hits the spot for that, and I think it looks great. Perfect for Christmas do's too. I think they've upped their game a lot recently, and seeing as every brand's quality has gone down the crapper, why pay more? Why not have a gander at their Tall range and see if anything else catches your eye OP.