Comfy heels to wear with this dress?

[ShoesForThisDress]

Help me Mumsnetters.

I've got this dress to wear out for dinner/drinks for an event.

It's a lovely dress that hangs beautifully and is very flattering to my figure (and it has pockets!!) and I want to dress it up a bit so it doesn't look too casual.

But I need shoes!

Requirements:
Heel but not too high
Comfortable!!
Ideally closed toe so I can wear tights to hide my eternally bruised shins
Bonus points if brand does half sizes as I often am between full shoes sizes (not essential)
Ideally I'd prefer not to spend more than £100

Any suggestions very much appreciated!

Dress:
https://www.fatface.com/women/clothing/dresses/judes-maria-stripe-midi-dress/0002688.html?awc=5463_1716484149_e01d4fb972adec10146231c5a219aa67&dtm_campaign=HighSummer&dtm_channel=aff&dtm_content=Shopping%20Directory&dtm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.octer.co.uk%2F&gad_source=1&utm_campaign=Awin&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.octer.co.uk%2F

Maybe some nude sling backs? Although I think that’s more day dress than evening event dress really. I can’t imagine how you would dress it up.

https://www.debenhams.com/product/dune-london-debate-strappy-heels_p-82393384-da16-49f6-8574-8296d59bcf29?colour=Nude&size=6&istCompanyId=76f7277d-6e78-4dc2-aaff-1eb77fae16b0&istFeedId=258a4886-8f3c-47ef-9369-d1eda8d84501&istItemId=laxxtwpwi&istBid=t&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjJv00aekhgMV8ppQBh0HnwdeEAQYBCABEgIli_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

It's a very casual / day summer dress, especially in that fabric. I don't think it's really possible to dress it up (much? at all?). You could try some neutral Mary Janes but I think you'd also need to wear something over your shoulders to balance out closed toe shoes with such a summery style dress/fabric.

I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think?  https://www.johnlewis.com/castaner-chiara-cotton-wedge-espadrille-sandals/ivory/p110367128?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&sshare=jlappios&size=7&&_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

Agree with others, I think it’s a lovely dress for a sunny day but not sure it suits evening. Also not sure what kind of tights you might go for really.

All this said - for half sizes my favourite is Gabor but I’m not able to walk on much heel at all so they work for me. These may be way off, but as an example (not the black, pink or neutral):

https://www.gaborshoes.co.uk/womens-c1/shoes-c2/court-shoes-c82/gala-womens-open-court-shoes-p38687#attribute%5B1%5D=33281

If you wanted to style it for daytime, they have styles like this:

https://www.gaborshoes.co.uk/womens-c1/sandals-c4/fantastica-ladies-sandals-p47479#attribute%5B1%5D=37523

It's a lovely dress. If it were me wearing it I'd probably go for a lovely bright yellow or mustard shoe.

Ooh I love Gabor! My one remaining pair of high heels are a lovely pair of Gabor. I do like those first ones in the rose colour, thank you!

I like the espadrilles posted, but the heel is a bit high for me.

Tights would just be nude ones, to disguise my battered legs. Builders Tea from Snag are my go-to.

I would probably wear it with a petticoat for a bit of a 50s feel. The photos don't do it justice, I don't think. It has a fitted bodice, nips in at the waist, and a very full skirt with a lot of fabric. It's a twirling dress! Fat face sizes are very generous - I got it in a size 10 when often I am a 12-14.

I know it's a sun dress but... pretty makeup, hair curled and worn half up half with a bow... cute pair of heels, some jewellery. Maybe a wide white belt around waist. I have a small handbag that would go... I can't personally see why it can't be dressed up!

Good on you! That sounds lovely, real retro kind of 40s/50s vibe.

Espadrilles for that dress 👍

This dress is a similar vibe and looks good with heeled sandals. 🙂

https://www.lkbennett.com/product/DRSHENYUSILKCOTTONPinkStriped%20Dress~-Striped%20Dress?sv1=affiliate&svcampaignnid=136348&awc=2246171656168336f494ae91273a0c04d4cd8784a17f048&utmsource=affiliate&utmmmedium=LTK&network=awin&affiliateid=136348

It can certainly be dressed up, but it gives a daytime vibe still.

Like maybe you'd wear it at an all day wedding and still be wearing it in the evening. Fine. But to put it on in the evening, for an evening event, is a bit not it.

Obviously everyone can do what they want. If you wanted to wear doc martins, a black tutu and top, that would also be a lovely outfit, but again, not quite matching the vibe of the event you have described.

It is a day dress but you can dress it up. Shoes you can do white or beige/light cream heel shiny leather or patent, slightly pointed toe at least - the slingback someone posted is great.
What I'd also do is wide slightly sparkly statement belt in one tone. White, or very pale gold or very pale silver (depending if the shade of your shoes is warm or cool - but don't try to match the shoes exactly it would look tacky). The belt should be softer material because the dress material is very day type as many pointed out, so e.g white patent belt would make it even more day/office type dress.
So something like thishttps://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1175643552/light-gold-suede-leather-obi-belt?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_uk_en_gb_a-accessories-other&utm_custom1=k_CjwKCAjw9cCyBhBzEiwAJTUWNWEKoSwZKL_e72LncUktEEG4PX8pKo66bMCFDN0_c1bJuqEBG6zkyRoCS00QAvD_BwE_k&utm_content=go_12604674702_125447437808_508772732056_pla-295577704042_m__1175643552engb_103758819&utm_custom2=12604674702&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9cCyBhBzEiwAJTUWNWEKoSwZKL_e72LncUktEEG4PX8pKo66bMCFDN0_c1bJuqEBG6zkyRoCS00QAvD_BwE

would slightly shift the dress to evening...or smth similar.

What I would definitely avoid though is wearing any tights with this type of dress, the material is just summer day dress so any tights (except perhaps a very thin subtle net) will look frumpy.
If you have bruised legs you are conscious of just wear concealer (unfortunately I have no experience so cannot recommend non transferable type, maybe others can help out).

I think it can be dressed up too. Sort of Sandie from Grease summer dance style. I'd be tempted to go for white court shoes (Gabor have some) or white heeled Mary Janes and a tiny cropped white cardigan to keep that vibe.

Try Vita Liberata body blur instead of tights. It's like foundation for legs - available in various shades and has a hint of shimmer. It's quite expensive in online shops but a lot cheaper on eBay.

Thanks. I'll have a look.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've ordered a pair of white espadrilles to try and see how they look with it. And a petticoat. Not a huge tulle one but I got a three tiered cotton one that should give the skirt a bit of extra volume without looking OTT.

Dune molten platform in natural

Definitely espadrilles

https://www.joebrowns.co.uk/summer-spell-mary-jane-shoes-kc356?salesfire=sf-search#colour=244

I’m not sure if the colour is quite right, but these are the comfiest (admittedly low) heels I’ve worn in forever!

Thank you. I got some lovely white and hessian espadrilles and they're perfect. So comfortable too. Not a style I would have considered left to my own devices so I appreciate the suggestions.