what to wear with black dress to de-funeral it?

[Misthios]

I bought this dress from La Redoute in May last year for a close family member's funeral. I really liked wearing it as it was flattering and SO comfortable. I am self-employed and don't usually have any occasions where I need to be smart or wear "office clothes" but when I do, I'd like to give the dress another outing. Don't really want to wear it as I did at the funeral with black shoes, black tights and a black jacket as it would look very funereal and it would just remind me of the day. Have googled and the first result suggested a canary yellow jacket which was a bit 😖 - I'm not a 25 year old contestant on the Apprentice, I'm in my 50s and a size 12-14.

Any suggestions??

https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350155088.aspx

It’s very nice, I’d get some bright jewellery and different coloured shoes. M&S have pink velvet kittten heels for example

Its nice and I would wear with bare legs or sheer tights and pointed flat shoes. Hair styles can really change a look too, so go for a different style to how you wore it previously e.g curl your hair if it was straight before or try a half up style.

Animal print shoes and red lipstick

Fuchsia pink jacket

Also if you love it buy it in one of the other colours too 😃

Bright red jacket and red patent heels.

Will keep my eyes peeled for a non-Apprentice candidate style jacket - thanks all.

Depending on your comfort level / shape, a good belt can elevate a black dress. It doesn’t have to be super colourful, I have a dark purple and gold belt that I often throw on over a black dress & it’s enough to break it up. If you don’t like belts but still want to keep it mostly black, a statement necklace with a thick bangle & navy tights work nicely for winter & in summer bare legs with any colour shoe & bag. It’s a lovely dress

A bright coloured cardigan (or jacket). I would wear red, because I like red, but any bright colour would do. Or if you are less keen on bright colours a cream and black patterned jacket, more cream than black.

Neutral kitten heel shoes or sling backs with neutral blazer or very fine knit crew neck cardigan, or boots and a wrap, or bright chunky necklace and sandals?

Navy, camel and cream work well with black if you don’t want high contrast.

I’d go a trench, cross body bag, silk scarf and some retro trainers or loafers for example.

Trinny has been wearing more black and lots of ideas to beak it up.

I’d wear it with a camel or cream jacket and black or camel boots, and bag.

Brightly coloured cami underneath so it shows in the v-neck, or bright chuncky necklace? Personally I'd go for jade or fuchsia. Tertiary colours look classier with black than primary colours, but they need to be bright. I would have suggested a thick, coloured cinch belt, but it looks like the dress has a built-in belt. Other than that, coloured, pointy flat shoes.

If you definitely need a jacket, I’d be thinking rich, deep colours. Dark red or green for example.
If you don’t, I think nude tights and interesting jewellery would be enough.

Necklaces tricky with that neckline. Like the idea of buying it in other colours. Not in any desperate hurry to buy something so will just keep my eyes peeled.

I wouldn't bother with a jacket with that dress. If you will be outside, a trench or whatever coat you have, maybe boots, otherwise bare legs/nude tights and coloured shoes. You could even wear it with a denim or leather jacket and trainers.

I would definitely go for a nice blazer in a colour you feel comfortable wearing. Then you can dress it up or down with heels or flats

Thanks for posting OP I’ve just bought it, will wear it with boots and a bright or patterned jacket.

Can you switch the belt out to a coloured one and coordinate with shoes, earring, hand bag etc

No the belt is fabric and sewn on - part of the belt. It can be tied behind or to the side.

I often wear brightly coloured tights and co-ordinating earrings/handbag with black dresses for work. Snag do amazing tights in a whole array of colours.

For winter/colder days I’d wear it with black tights, chunky boots and a cardigan (either a grey cropped cashmere cardigan or a jewel coloured biker style cardigan). Im not a fan of a big statement necklace so I’d be inclined to go with layered delicate necklaces, maybe with chunkier rings/earrings. Potentially tie hair up with a brighter scarf and a small crossbody bag (with a bit of colour). Summer/warmer days I’d do bare legs with gold/neutral/animal print leather sandals/ballet pumps/slipper style shoes with big gold earrings and a large tote.

I find with my funeral outfits I like to re-wear them asap (so it doesn’t become the dress I wore to that funeral in my mind). It’s a really lovely shape so I can see why you want to make the most of it!

I'd wear it with denim jacket and white trainers (bare legs)

if needs to be smart a fitted light coloured blazer and loafers

I really dislike bright colours with black.

Personally I’d wear that as is, with some tan knee high boots, or a pair of white leather plimsol trainers, or a pair of nude sandals. Hair down if you’ve longer hair.

Team it with anything colourful, a jacket or cardigan, large colourful scarf, earrings, jewellery, handbag, anything that's not black, and the funeral vibe will disappear. Patterned tights??

Colour palette depends on your personal style, IE brown / tan for a subdued elegant look, or a mix of burnt orange / red / pink for a jazzier look.

And a pillar box red lip😁