How would you style this dress for an evening reception?

[NotDarkGothicMama]

DH and I are going to a colleague's evening do for their wedding in May. I have this dress that has been sitting in my wardrobe waiting for an occasion to wear it, but no idea how to style it. Makeup, nails, shoes, jewellery, bag... no clue.

The reception is at a very posh hotel in Scotland. I don't wear high heels and the reception involves a ceilidh, so comfortable footwear is a must. Looking at a budget of £200 for the shoes, jewellery and bag. I'm 5'4", size 10-12, mouse blonde shoulder-length hair, usually found in jeans and a hoodie. My hair is as flat as a pancake so will be pinned up in an up do to keep it out of the way.

Any help from people with an iota of dress sense would be very much appreciated!

Pictures of the dress for ease.

It’s really pretty. Do you need flat shoes?

For starters not those ghastly sandals it's been paired with. Pointy or round toe ballet flats in any of the dress colours or silver or even navy or red. Available everywhere from Manolo Blahnik to Tu and all points in between.

So far as a bag personally I wouldn't look for anything special or new. Any small bag you already own is fine. It's going to spend 99% of the time on a table or on the floor.

Long silver necklace Maybe silver bracelets. Small stud earrings.

Good point re the bag.

I must admit, I’d be tempted to wear Converse for dancing. I’d be a bit worried about slipping out of ballet shoes, but flat Mary Janes might work.

Thankyou. I don't particularly need flat shoes, but they'd probably be easiest for energetic dancing. Definitely not strappy stilettos!

I have these in navy, which are pretty comfy. https://www.next.co.uk/style/su477548/aj5477

I literally do not have any sort of bag more dressy than my laptop tote bag, so will have to buy something. Silver, to go with the necklaces, or charcoal?

Perfect.

This came up when I searched for long silver necklace. I like it, but do the colours not go?

https://www.fatface.com/style/su787396/w75154

I think the necklace might be a bit too ‘fussy’ - might be better to go plainer and let the dress do the talking?

That's beautiful.

Maybe navy? To go with the shoes. Though it doesn't matter if you find something in another colour you like: shoes and bag don't need to match.

This is a bit of a bargain and you’d probably be able to get other uses out of it www.whistles.com/product/182481.html?gad_campaignid=22768072079&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABVcTKGVuROUsTjvrR9PYSBJotWyA&clickref=1100lC3whvas&app_clickref=1100lC3whvas&utm_source=partnerize&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_campaign=octer

Necklace more like this? www.bohomoon.com/products/london-layered-necklace?variant=43893725692081&country=GB&currency=GBP

Or this?
www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-multi-chain-knot-y-profile-necklace-silver/p113683579?

So you've got your dress - and it's gorgeous!
And you've got your perfect shoes.
Don't know if it's big enough but I found these Kettlewell little leather clutches, I almost think ANY of the colours would work. Leather. And sale prices!
www.kettlewellcolours.co.uk/product/leather-zip-top-large-pouch?colour=2869&size=5

Converse at a wedding?

There was a hilarious thread on here a while ago with the OP going to a ceilidh, and judging by the advice you’d have thought she was doing a Tough Mudder. It’s just dancing!

Absolutely- for the dancing bit! I’d wear heels before then, but wouldn’t dance in them.

@Oblivionnnnnmy sister wore white converse with her wedding dress

In that case I'd go with whatever colour you like best and which you think you'd get the most future use out of rather than trying to match it.

Yes

@Oblivionnnnn the dress is gorgeous! It has a 1920s flapper vibe to it. The John Lewis knitted necklace also has a flapper vibe to it so would go well with the dress

Sorry, tagged the wrong person! Meant to tag the OP, @NotDarkGothicMama

And meant to say knotted necklace, not knitted 🙄

Maybe I should just stop now 😂

I don’t think the shoes really go with, or do justice to such an embellished dress. I would be looking at silver dance shoes with a heel from Amazon or your local dance shop. They will be comfortable to dance in, but will also give a nod to the 1930s styling. A similar colour clutch will also set it off.

If you're wearing your hair up I wouldn't do a necklace I'd do bolder earrings instead art deco style https://nordicnoirstockholm.com/products/art-deco-silver-emerald-rectangle-large-drop-earrings

And then a shoe to compliment

https://www.clarks.com/en-gb/scarlyt-rowan/26184719-p

Shoe picture didn't post