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!!!

Love those boots.

I like the jacket too but is a denim jacket likely to be warm enough in a couple of weeks?

I still think you should wear some boots that you already own and are sure are comfortable.

All Saints have a long leather coat in the sale. Just saying. Must admit I prefer shorter, on me at least. www.allsaints.com/women/sale/aire-long-line-leather-coat/W011LB-5.html

Also a blazer
www.allsaints.com/women/sale/arna-leather-blazer/W121LD-5.html

Jacket is nice but look at the white stuff one I posted earlier

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

Good point. Might be a bit chilly esp. as the dress is short sleeved.

How about a vintage shearling coat?

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/7486820715-vintage-shearling-sheepskin-brown-jacket?referrer=catalog

Bryn Herb Print Dress | Brilliant Blue | TOAST

I'd go for chunky shoes or boots.
Solovairs are great - like better quality DMs.
Read the size guide before ordering, the unisex styles tend to run slightly large.

You can sometimes find them preloved but looking as good as new. (I did).
The Solovair site has an Outlet section. NPS Solovair Outlet | Factory Second | Boots | Gaucho Crazy Horse 8 Eye Derby Boot | Made in England

Here's an image of the shearling coat

My DD has an All Saints leather jacket from Vinted - the leather is exquisite but I would definitely want brown rather than black. Thank you for the suggestions though!

I would wear it with a ribbed polo neck underneath, and those Solovair boots are fabulous by the way . . .. If you need a jacket, I'd be teaming it with something that ends just below the waist. Uniqlo have these, M & S do something similar, then you can team with jeans another time.
https://www.uniqlo.com/th/en/products/E479208-000?colorCode=COL56&sizeCode=SMA008

@Laiste , what about the sock conundrum with plimsole trainers? I know the Young Folk are wearing their socks loud and proud but what about the rest of us?

You could wear a long sleeved fitted t shirt under the dress and then wear a denim jacket. Boody has nice ones that feel lovely on the skin.

not keen on the shearling and you've already mentioned a longish winter coat that you posted at the start of the thread, which others said might be bulky to carry around if weather is warmer.

Scarf, hat and gloves would also keep you warm and can be put in your handbag/pockets x
(I love cashmere fingerless gloves myself from Turtledoves.)

I like the idea of putting something underneath if it is a cool day.

The jacket is lovely but sadly on me it would look like

I don’t like the shearling coat, sorry - and it would have to be a really cold day for it. It would probably be heavier and warmer than your original coat.

Don't apologise, I want honesty! You're right it would probably be very heavy and smell weird.

It's a very nice jacket, thank you for sharing it - I had in mind an indigo denim though...

Love the boots

Jacket is very hard to plan in advance without a weather forecast. Yesterday the denim jacket you posted would have been perfect, today it would have been chilly and this weekend the forecast suggests you would need something much warmer as it's going down to be between 0-9c in the south east on Saturday!

AllSaints have a khaki/brown leather jacket in the sale www.allsaints.com/women/sale/dalby-slim-fit-leather-biker-jacket/W099LB-10047.html

Those slouchy things really don’t match the Toast vibe at all! I like them but see them as more for you if you’re super boho a la Sienna Miller at Glastonbury 2007.

Better to go with Chelsea boots or DMs, olive or denim cropped jacket.

https://www.gap.co.uk/style/sv038967/y43847?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=UK_EN_Shopping_Bestsellers_Womens_X_X&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22321031248&gbraid=0AAAAAoodjJLcs4e2YtFZWUviLVTljs3-c&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgr_NBhDFARIsAHiUWr77rbS1ssmGeARvZU7vdiaJ2YfEtud4txUQqnWa51q5O_NQdsvC8q0aAjHAEALw_wcB

I wouldn’t wear plimsole trainers with this toast dress.

These with a matching tan coloured sock would look nice https://www.marksandspencer.com/suede-side-stripe-retro-runner-trainers/p/clp60759181?color=TAN&extid=ps_ps-pla-pmax_ggl_ww_ch__-UK-_-_bau&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=20011577753&cq_con=&cq_term=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20014443268&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bQxWhqdNxIA0cioEBeTZLe6a&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgr_NBhDFARIsAHiUWr7XhoGYlMwXWoY6YTHB-w75auTtCubJtcRGbXCc0F0aH3eSrjStKTcaAvyvEALw_wcB

I would in the summer

The OP isn’t talking about summer I don’t think?

That's why I said 'in the summer'.

I'm 66. The idea of not wearing socks when it's the right thing for the weather is ridiculous.

I wear ankle socks with ballet pumps, sneakers and fisherman's sandals. I don't wear socks with trainers only because I don't own trainers.