How would you style this dress for a dressy dinner date?

[SallyDraperGetInHere]

Seeing a very nice man for a fourth date in a French restaurant and I’d like to dress up. Just bought this, and I love the colour but would probably swap out the belt. How should I style this and what should I wear over it if the weather cools?

https://www2.hm.com/en_ie/productpage.1363263003.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo4b9UtHft_c5Z3frNb3dlZJ-NCix9NNa538Gwehg4XV0gm2B0P

Thanks for the support. Luckily for us both, @manpretty won’t be the man sitting opposite me at dinner, so I’m not in the slightest concerned that the dress ‘doesn’t work’ for him.

I’ll save the grey shoes for another occasion. I think I bought them in January 2020 and still haven’t worn them outside - just waiting for the perfect time.

Ha! I'm Irish, now been living in Scotland for 39 years - & I completely understand the terror!

By the way, the date is tomorrow night, so I won’t be buying anything new, but it’s been brilliant to take a second look in my wardrobe and take the suggestions on board.

I think they'd be good with navy, blues, greens, black - maybe even mixed with taupes & browns - just not the red dress. You'd better make an occasion, as that's quite a long time to wait to wear a pair of shoes!

I'm sure you'll look fabulous, even if your dress isn't "floaty" enough for some tastes ...!!

When I read Vogue & other fashion articles online, or stuff on Instagram catches my eye, it's often the posts about accessories that most interest me. As a change of footwear or belt or bag is frequently all you need to do to update things, I find.

I am currently really enjoying the vogue for scarves & brooches, as I have lots of vintage ones. And have just found an old pair of mules that look totally of the moment!

Hopefully there are some ideas on here for some other useful purchases - but in the meantime, I hope you have a delicious garlicky meal & a great 4th date!

If anything (according to the dictates of fashion) I'd say it's the other way round re crossbody & clutch bags?

I personally like & have both, & what I use is determined by the occasion, my outfit & my own style, as much as it is by what's currently deemed fashionable!

That’s funny, I’m the opposite. I love statement pieces and impulse purchase them because they’re beautiful, and possibly on sale. Then I admire them, and wonder how the hell to wear them. Years later, I find I’ve assembled An Outfit.

I just remembered another gem I haven’t worn in a while which might just do the trick …

Oh, I have done the statement piece purchasing too ... & they have languished in my wardrobe. Trying to do less of that! There are some good Insta accounts that are about re-wearing/mixing up your existing wardrobe, maybe adding select new pieces. There's something very satisfying about that ...

(I do realise the irony of that, after posting a shitload of shiny new things for you to be tempted by!!!)

Posts like this are why MNers have a reputation for being man haters.

Having to field obnoxious shit like this is so bloody tedious.

OP the dress is fab and I’m just about to buy it - can you advise on size, does it ring big or small?

I hate that H&M do a small which is 8-10 and a medium that is 12-14 😫

Pretty dress! For this situation I think I would be going for flats, either an unusual pair of flip flops or a tan woven cage style sandal. Or maybe gold? Red and silver feels more wintery to me. I've just received some polka dot toe thong style sandals from Zara that would look great! Gold sandals and tan belt would be my choice for this time of the year I think

The only thing I don’t like (for me) with that dress is the sleeves! The jacket you posted OP is fine.

I’ve bought these sandals which are nice and comfy.

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/cally-crossover-leather-block-heels--brown-24003700063.html

I’m a 12-14, 14 on the bottom definitely, and it’s a lovely fit. There’s quite a lot of material in the skirt so I will probably leave a few buttons open.

It all depends on your style really. Personally shoewise I'd stick with similar to the models footwear - a simple flip flop style or slip on, or even a fisherman style sandal. Bag wise a little cross body purse style, or small tote would look cool. Id let that dress do the talking here.

Just in from a fabulous night out. I took the advice to go without a jacket, thanks to gorgeous local balmy temperatures. I ended up wearing the grey heels, as the only tan-approximate ones I had were either leopard print or Kate Middleton style nude courts. A lovely lady on the train in complimented me on the dress.

The bonus is I feel a tiny bit in love.

How lovely! So pleased it went so well - & I bet he wasn't looking at your feet much anyway ...

So, I think you have to start another post about what to wear on Date Five ...?!!

We are coordinating work schedules for a night away.

Personally, I have never wanted a “male point of view” for any of my outfits.

Hopefully the OP doesn’t either.

Ah, but you might want a Male point of view?!! That initial capital gives so much more weight to the opinion!

Ah, sounds fantastic @SallyDraperGetInHere
Enjoy every single minute ♥️

Oooh, love it 🥰

I love everything on this thread especially the dress. I'd been thinking i might get an entire thread inspired outfit here for my next date out with DH. I'm in Ireland so it doesn't matter. Then discovered so is OP. I know logically we won't run into each other but still have this funny image of her spotting a photo of me all done up and go "hang on... "

A natural espadrille wedge heel.

For those who kindly contributed to this thread or may have a passing interest, things are going very well and the red dress deserves a special place in the museum of mind-blowing sex, if such a place exists.