Please, please help me style a Toast Bryn dress so that I don't look like a sack

[helpmestylethisdress]

In a moment of madness I bought a Toast Bryn dress. Photo attached for those unfamiliar (it isn't this exact dress but the same style). I'm not sure what possessed me, the only time I wear dresses is in 35+ degrees heat on holiday, but I have it now and I want to wear the bastard thing for a special occasion I have coming up in a few weeks. It does fit well and I think is as flattering as a dress is going to look on my lumpy, untoned size 12/14 middle aged body with zero waist (thanks HRT).

The trouble is I have no idea whatsoever how to style it, in particular shoes/boots. Toast is no help at all because they style these dresses with socks and sandals, which I am not courageous enough to even consider.

Would slightly chunky leather boots work? Can I wear tights to cover pasty legs?

I think I'll need a coat of some description. I have an oversized boiled wool coat in a similar shape to the second photo, but the fabric means it looks less formal. It would probably come to the same length as the dress though, which might be a bit awkward?

HELP ME!!!

That's quite a high heel for someone who hasn't worn heels in years - I suspect you'd be in agony. I bought a pair of boots with a two inch heel off Vinted recently, and I feel like a baby giraffe in them 🤦

The ASOS ones are better IMO, or you'd be fine in DM style boots and tights if it's cold. Coat will look fine too.

Bonkers to spend so much money on a pair of suede boots imo too.

I have this dressi n a different colour and wear it with pushed down hiking socks and my Ganni city boots which are khaki. I also wore it yesterday with yellow super dry sliders and ankle socks with chicks on. Well Easter is coming! I was stopped twice and told how stylish I looked. I'm 56 for reference. Also had a bobble hat and fisherman knit over it, cos it's Brighton and it was foggy and damp but warm

https://www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Suede_Slouch_Boots/pp/P_44664.html

Laughing at 'Mr Strong' 🤣 Sorry OP.

I struggle with the shorter length cardis too as i have quite big boobs and feel like a lollipop. I can just about get away with them if i'm wearing a long sleek dark outfit underneath (black yoga trousers, black vest top) and don't do it up, but otherwise i just look better in a longer slouchy knit cardi.

Chunky interesting knits are in right now. Just beware the smooth 'waterfall cardigan' look i think.

Re: footwear i honestly think you could just go with a nice new pair of trainers. Not white. Street trainers rather than full on proper running trainers. Bit more delicate with a dress. It's a bit of a cliche - trainers and dress - but there's a reason it's loved. It suits most folk and it's comfy.

I think i read so where that plimsole looking trainers were coming back into fashion. They're nice for spring. Personally trainers can feel too hot when walking about all day.

Excellent, point taken on heels. And suede! This is very helpful!

DM style boots would probably be more in my comfort zone.

Flat Chelsea boots
Tights
Oversized denim jacket or chunky cardigan

Definitely a shorter jacket than a big coat. Denim jacket or there’s so many lovely short jackets out there at the moment - Suede, leather, wool, cord - all designed to work well with more volume on top, be that skirts or wide leg trousers.

No advice, OP, but your “bastard thing” in your OP made me laugh, it’s the kind of thing I do 😂 Good luck!

You need a nice vintage denim or leather jacket for this, Dr Marten's, black sheer tights, and sunglasses if it's sunny, a beanie if it's cold. Style it like you're back in the 90s.

Think Julia Roberts.

Chunky flat boots
Or chunky shows like DM shoes or thick soled loafers with good socks if it is a warm day
The coat will be fine.

No kitten heels - Toast is a kind of Ingenue Peasant look.

I would go for chunky Chelsea boots and thick tights. Then depending on the weather either the coat you suggested, a cardigan or a leather/ denim jacket.

It’s nice

I think you're bonkers to consider a pair of 1) new 2) suede(ish) boots if you want to be comfy and put-together.

Chunky boots + sheer-ish tights would make sense.

How's your haircut?
Nice bright red manicure?

Agreed on both counts.

How to style this dress? Put over head and wear.

On feet, whatever, flat, comfortable shoes or boots you want to wear - for me, Lanx or Joseph Cheaney lace up boots or ballet flats or All Birds. Opaque tights (In summer fisherman's sandals and ankle socks)

On top - whatever coat or jacket fits the weather and which is due its turn -for me could be any of 3 Max Mara coats, a Toast raincoat, a Mackintosh, an Acquascutum tweed coat, a Laura Ashley riding coat, an oversized velvet jacket, a Barbour jacket, any of several tweed jackets, with or without a boxy cardigan or jumper depending on the weather.

I love that dress

I would probably wear it with stompy black boots (I have some from Sorel). I prefer wearing socks and cotton cycling shorts to tights as it's so much comfier, but I'm not bothered by my pale legs being on display. You can always use a bit of shimmer oil if needed.

Combine with denim or leather jacket or big coat depending on weather

For a day out pottering? You could definitely do trainers or chunky boots. Who ever suggested kitten heels for walking around must have a very different lifestyle to most women!

I have a Bryn dress and I wear it with chunky ankle boots. I'm quite short so it's longish midi length on me, and you want a gap between the boot and the hem.

Reference new boots, I have weirdly narrow heels so boots at first usually rub. My solution (that a friend gave me) is to cut up a sanitary towel and stick it to my heel in the areas I know tend to rub, stick socks on and wear the boots! It helps with breaking them in if you do it round the house first,
I like the slouchy boots, leather jacket suggestions from PP, or a cowboy boot shape with a leather jacket. Hope you have a lovely day out.

With that dress, I would wear loafers or brogues and either a long sloppy cardigan or a short jacket and maybe a scarf.

I like these https://www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-leather-lace-up-brogues-dark-tan/p110504156

Lovely dress.

I have wide shoulders and a generous chest and this denim jacket is much nicer than the pictures suggest and suits me. It’s a bit 90s in the way a pp suggested.

https://www.whitestuff.com/p/5444/eden-denim-collared-jacket/MID_DENIM

I’d go with tights and trainers or brown boots. I have some Blundstones, so I’d wear them.

It was me, but x posted with OP saying there was a lot of walking.

This is so helpful, thank you all so much.

OK OK I hear you all on the boots, I will not be buying new suede boots with a heel 😂

@OchreSnail , that is exactly how I feel. I've been dressing casually for so long that wearing anything else feels wrong. I'm comfortable in my day-to-day style (even 15 DD approves) but it would be nice to be able to make more of an effort occasionally without feeling like a five year old who has gone to town with her older sister's dressing up box.

@Doggymummar that sounds absolutely fantastic, I really admire you for pulling that off! I don't think I am quite there yet but it is something to aim for...

@MmeWorthington Ingenue Peasant 😂very good description.

@Ophy83 cycling shorts are an very interesting idea that would help with that weird naked feeling you get when you haven't worn a dress for a year. I'll ponder that. But I am not joking when I tell you that my legs look like the last packet of skin-on chicken thighs left on the shelf in Aldi. It may take more than shimmer oil to make them fit for public exposure, but I'm open to suggestions.

I am relieved to hear that chunky boots have got the thumbs up. My old Timberland ones are genuinely falling apart so I can justify new ones. How about these Solovairs? I like the fact they are UK made.

https://uk.nps-solovair.com/products/s8-551-ch-g?variant=32455627505744

Jacket... I am thinking an oversized denim chore jacket maybe?

Something like this jacket? Be gentle if it is hideous.

I love the idea of a longer length, butter soft, vintage leather jacket but think I will struggle to find something just right that isn't ££££.

I definitely suit longer lines rather than cropped. My (barely there) waist is quite high, which combined with broad shoulders means that anything shorter than hip length makes me look like an inverted turnip. Traditional denim jackets or biker style are a big no.

Gah here is the jacket

https://www.bimbaylola.com/gb_en/dark-blue-denim-straight-cut-jacket-252BR4006.12405.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMax_s_uk_shopping_genericas&utm_content=pmax-bolsos-zapatos&gad_source=1