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!

Sadly, cat rescue is a hobby only. I have a sensible desk job to keep Their Highnesses in the style to which they very quickly become accustomed.

I can afford to spend £175 on a pair of shoes that will make me feel fantastic for one night. But not on a pair of shoes that will make me feel awkward and will be left under my table while I get stepped on during a ceilidh.

agree and agree

I love the champagne colour of those shoes BUT I think with metallics you need to think warm and cool. To me your dress calls. for cool metallics - so silver, platinum, or at most gold. Pewter and champagne are too warm I think and will ruin the effect.

@NotDarkGothicMama Is it now the case that you've become so unused to wearing heels, that you won't be able to dance - or even walk - in anything with more than a low heel at most?

I'd thought at first when you said you couldn't walk in the Memery ones that it was because the fit wasn't good/the heel shape didn't work for you (or that the reviews about their comfort were exaggerated).

But would it be the case with any heels? Can you still walk in any of your old ones?

I ask as I've realised that (returning to heels after several years) the shape of the heel is now as important as the height for wearability - more so than it used to be as my balance is now less good in stilettos, kitten heels, or any heel style that narrows to a small load-bearing point.

There is definitely a heel height & shape combination that works for me though (cone/straight narrow/chunky/platform etc) - & I'm sure there would be for you?

The Fitflop ones are ok - functional more than pretty - there are nicer comfy silver flats out there. Cheaper ones too.

The Monsoon ones I dislike (a lot, sorry ...). They look like a little girl's "dressing up as a princess" shoes. Very girly, overdecorated & not great quality.

You're now spending what, about £130 on two pairs of shoes (neither of which you especially like or will wear again, is that right?).

I know I said previously that I thought it a bit daft to spend £175 on the ok-ish but a bit too 30s-replica-style shoes - as I thought you were just buying them for this event & didn't love them.

However, I DO understand your desire to look fab, wearing a pair of gorgeous shoes that you feel great in & make your calves look good (even if no-one can see your calves!!). And you do seem wedded to the idea of some sort of heel for the evening (even if they're not suitable for dancing)?

If so, get some gorgeous heels (walkable ones). But if you're only going to wear them once that still seems silly (even with my profligate impulsive tendencies!!). So I would choose them on the basis of future occasions (however rare) when you might wear them again. A great pair of silver heels & matching bag will go with most "event" outfits. I have a few metallic shoes/sandals/bags combinations, some of which I've had for years - they're fairly timeless.

That way you won't need to panic-post on Mumsnet next time you have an event to go to ... 😁!!

And have a look at cheaper shoes than the Fitflops for dancing in (if you really don't have any pumps you can bring with you & slip into?). The point really is comfort & ease of dancing. That's if you even like the ceilidh dancing - lots of people don't & stick to the disco bit!

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/blair-metallic-ballet-flats-silver-1000706836.html

These are out of stock on their own website, but some on John Lewis & other sites that stock Monsoon. Reduced to £27.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fly-London-Womens-Saub268fly-Ballet/dp/B0DBQZHBY1

Depends on the stockist & size, but the silver/black or the spearmint options of these are reduced to as little as £27.

IMO these are nicer & cheaper than the Fitflops (which I know have their devotees but I think they tend to be people who wear them all the time? If you won't, then I'd get something prettier & less expensive).

Having saved on your dance flats (though of course just taking along a pair of comfy flats you already own will save the most!!), then you could get a pair of lovely heels - ones that go with your outfit, are high-ish but not stupidly so, & you can wear again at future events (along with your silver bag).

Silver is good but I think any turquoise/teal shade that works tonally would be fine, especially with jewellery/bag/scarf etc matching/toning as well. No idea about your size, let alone your idea of a gorgeous & comfy high heel - but a few examples ...

Id also look on eBay & Vinted.

https://www.yoox.com/uk/17460654GG/item

https://www.whistles.com/product/emerson-block-heel-sandal-36670.html (Matching clutch too!)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156272730701

https://www.yoox.com/uk/17985748VH/item (If you happen to be a 4, Chie Miharas are very comfortable!!)

https://www.anoncph.co.uk/products/hermine-calf-suede-denim-blue

Thanks so much for all the ideas. I was feeling a bit deflated and ready to call it a day and go in my comfiest trainers. But we persevere...

I think the shape of the heel is a good shout. I used to wear these heels every day in the office with no issues, so assumed a very moderate heel would be fine. My feet hurt for hours after trying on the lovely Memery ones for 15 minutes max so that's clearly not the case! I wear wedges in the summer - totally fine - and have a pair of block heel shoes for wearing at the office for external meetings. Again, fine.

The bows on the Monsoon ones are stitched on so very easy to remove. Not great quality though and either far too big or a squish, no half sizes. On the other hand, super cheap as they're kids' shoes. The Fit Flops arrived today and are very comfy but I really had my heart set on a bit of a heel. I have long, narrow feet so chose a style with a strap as ballet flats tend to fall off.

I have a cunning plan. I'm going to make the cheap children's shoes work and loads up DH's pockets with my go-to summer shoes for the dancing. Comfy as anything.

What size of feet are you, OP?

I think my feet have basically remoulded themselves after six or more years of no heels!! I suspect yours might have too ... Those are HIGH ...

Re your Fitflops purchase (which I assume are being returned?), someone upthread said they were fine with ballet pumps for dancing that didn't have any ties or straps - but I don't think I would be. My feet are long & narrow too, so maybe that's why.

I too can still wear wedges/block heels fine. These are one of my go-to pairs of evening sandals (Jigsaw), & they're really comfy & I feel very supported & balanced in them. I also really like them, so they're not a compromise purchase. (Well, except that I really wanted these Anonymous Copenhagen ones - but I can't justify £215 when evenings out are very occasional these days - & I found the Jigsaw ones on eBay for £35!!!)

I hope you manage to make your Monsoon shoes work. I think our tastes in footwear are probably very different - so I won't suggest anymore! The main thing is that you're happy with what you wear & can dance comfortably come ceilidh time ... Enjoy!!!

Both of those shoes are lovely - and the silver pair were definitely a bargain!

I'm anything from a 5-7 UK, depending on the brand, but usually a 6.5.

I’d lean towards pearls. But googling pearls clutch this came up. https://www.debenhams.com/product/where-s-that-from-lore-diamante-pouch-bag-with-chain-detail-handle_p-b75725ab-ab79-4a4f-b047-70870665c53d?colour=Silver&size=One+Size&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22761571808&gbraid=0AAAAABevdS7VvXXvpvFUiK5RgUNLtG-W7&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-9i_896TkwMV0IBQBh2gmixDEAQYESABEgKB2fD_BwE
agree with flapper style. Go heels but shoes to change into. If you’re hair is up and there’s dancing make sure it’s super secure or easily fixable in the loos.

Sorry, but I think those children’s Monsoon ones are beyond dreadful.

My daughter (young and beautiful) has low block heeled sandals from Geox as her ‘wedding attire’ and says they’re really comfortable. Worth a look?

Funnily enough I'd looked at Geox, but thought I'd be panned for suggesting something "frumpy" (God forbid)!

Not a make I've worn (though I think my mum might have some!). But a few of the block heels are actually quite nice (though not that cheap unless reduced/secondhand).

I don't like the children's shoes either (or the OP's comfy dance shoes, but they don't matter). But as per my previous post, we obviously have very different taste, so I said I'd stop suggesting things!!

Having said that, @NotDarkGothicMama - have you seen these in your size (if you can manage a 6)?

A nice classic silver heel that would go with your dress & lots of other styles, but looks very comfy? And you'd be able to walk in them?!! Only £63.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Geox-Womens-Eraklia-Heeled-Sandal/dp/B0D6NP1LX5

I have pianist's toes, to go with the long feet, that like to splay in awkward directions when let loose. These are cute - wrong colour though! https://www.geox.com/en-GB/low_heel_pumps-rose-dhyalma_woman-D651NA000KYC8011.html

More Geox ones from La Redoute (& Amazon, though I try not to go near it ...). 30% off full-price if you sign up for emails etc (& then cancel later, as I do!).

Some not dissimilar to my Jigsaw ones - I like the pair with the silver & gold mix, as I'd find that very versatile. I wear gold & silver jewellery together too.

Those are nice. Pianist's toes - that's a new one on me 😁!! So you don't like open-toed shoes/sandals anyway? Not just for protection from ceilidh clodhoppers?!

Did you see these ones? I personally don't like that style of little bow at the front - but that's just me. They're for girls, so cheaper, but go up to 7. Not quite as girly looking as the Monsoon ones.

https://www.geox.com/en-GB/leather_ballerina_flats-silver-plie_girl-J4555D00044C1007.html

Also these flats on Geox - women's so more expensive though.

Haha! I wasn't sure how else to describe them - freakishly long? Not too knobbly though. A boy was horrible about them at school ~25 years ago and I've only just started wearing flip-flops on holiday

The Geox girls' ones aren't too bad. Cheaper than the Fit Flops and I prefer the white sole.

If you really want calf-lengthening heels, these Geox ones (slight platform so will be much comfier than you might think) are a bargain ...!!!

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/8305008513-silver-sandals

Help! She's trying to kill me!

Just for sitting & standing (elegantly) then ... change into your pumps for walking to the bar/loo/dance floor!!

Those FitFlop Delicato in silver with pearls and crystals are gorgeous shoes@NotDarkGothicMama

I have shoes. I have a bag. I have the recommended sparkly green eyeliner. I've booked hair and makeup. Thanks everyone!

Have a lovely time op