Dress for works event.

[Mulledmead]

Help!
Work awards event coming up. Work in a profession where everyone wears a uniform and I am not a dressing up kind of person at the best of times. The event is in the run up to Christmas and I know from previous years (where I have seen photos) most make an effort, although it's not full black tie or anything.
I am in my 40s, 5'5 and a size 8-10. I have found this dress which seems to fit nicely (pic of dress on me and model). I don't have a budget for a pricey dress and also need shoes...
So question

1. Honest opinions about the dress?

2.What shoes? Must be closed toe and strap onto my feet somehow as anything that doesn't falls off my feet (even ballet flats). Want a small heel, but no more that 2-3 inches. Black? Another colour?

Thanks on advance. I am feeling a bit clueless.

I think it’s too long and you and it’s making you look frumpy compared to how it looks on the model.

You look gorgeous. I personally would not go for black, there are loads of burgundy shoes at the moment if you want to go tonal. Hope you have a great evening.

You have a lovely figure and I love the colour of the dress, its a deep plunge but i think you can get away with it with a smaller bust. I disagree about the length being frumpy as I think knee length is more frumpy, but I love midi dresses. Shoes wise you could wear black, silver, nude?

Google "low heeled, silver Mary Janes"
There's gazillions of results at all price points.

The dress looks far better on you than the model.

I agree I think the length looks better on the model and a little too long on you. However it’s a gorgeous dress, I would definitely wear it and it looks lovely on you.

https://www.sezane.com/en-en/product/elodie-mary-janes/patent-black#size-2

Thanks everyone so far. Some really kind comments which I really appreciate. This is so very far out of my comfort zone.
Alas will never be model proportions and agree the dress is a bit long, but hopefully with the right heel I could pull it off. Tried with a flat and it looked awful.
Hadn't thought of silver shoes, but will have a Google. Would be good if they are shoes I can wear to future events...
Bit worried about the low neckline, but I have zero boobs so there is nothing to flash...the dress somehow makes me look better endowed than I am 😂

You look beautiful. I love it! I think these days anything goes shoes wise tbh. What have you got already that's super comfy or have you time to shop and break them in? You don't want to be trying anything new on the night in case they hurt! Enjoy.

Its lovely and really suits you!

Gorgeous dress and looks great on you. I think a slightly higher heel would work with it. Maybe something like this? I have same problem with getting shoes to stay on! www.marksandspencer.com/patent-strappy-kitten-heel-slingback-shoes/p/clp60746550?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

There are lots of cute sling back styles around at the moment which arent too high and have a pointed toe. There are loads on river island right now, here is a pair as an example.

www.riverisland.com/p/grey-perspex-pointed-court-heels-928267

To be honest I’m in 2 minds about this - is the dress sparkly or one flat colour, and does it have shoulder pads?

I understand what someone said about the dress looking too long compared to the model; but you wouldn’t necessarily know what the dress is “supposed” to look like if seen in person - it looks intentionally long especially given the occasion. You don’t really want to show too much skin at a work event and given the dress is low cut in the chest, the long length balances it out.

I don’t understand the frumpy comment. I’m in my 20s and if I saw a 40 year old colleague in that, I think they’d look trendy as opposed to frumpy. To me, frumpy are those floral dresses which are prevalently worn at work (sorry), this sort of dress seems much less common.

Lovely dress, beautiful colour and you look great. I’d maybe try a kitten heel sling back as others recommend. You don’t need
to spend a fortune but I have found sometimes cheaper ones rub, which isn’t ideal! Have fun!

If you’re worried about showing too much boob, get a really flashy shorter necklace, not a choker. It will help draw the eye.

the dress looks lovely on you. These shoes might work - very similar to Sezane style at a fraction of the price www.newlook.com/uk/womens/footwear/shoes/wide-fit-burgundy-block-heel-mary-jane-shoes/p/903526567

I will maybe just order a wider range of shoes and see...would love to manage a slingback style, but have never found one that stays on, but maybe something like the m&s one with an additional bar across the mid-foot might solve that problem?
To a pp who asked what existing shoes I have...mainly trainers and brogues. One pair of dull black Mary Janes I have probably had about 20 years! My currently lifestyle doesn't seem to call for dressing up that often, which is a shame in some ways, but suits me in others.
@Fabulously the dress is sparkly in the right light...I don't know what the fabric is called, it's slightly rough?! And no shoulder pads, but the shoulder is a little gathered which seems to add a bit of shape.

go for a flared heel rather than block as it will help to elongate you but still has a large surface area on the end of the heel

if you want to cute closed sling backs go for aquazzura or something similar style wise

statement necklace and maybe a bracelet?

Where’s it from. I’m tempted by it too!

It looks incredible on you! Quite dramatic in a great way! I prefer the length on you too, agree with pp that it balances out the low v neck nicely.

The model wears it with blank ankle boots in the silver colour if you find high heels tricky. A nice pair of ankle boots would give you another look, but heels may be more appropriate for the event.

I think it’s a perfect dress for the event then.

in terms of shoes, play it safe and go for something slightly boring that you can walk in. I don’t think the pointed toe shoes that have been suggested quite work, it feels blocky given the long length of dress. I think heeled sandals or something would look better. Try and avoid blocky colours and thick straps.