Ok I have given in to middle-age.....

[GrapefruitMoon]

And bought a navy shift dress (haven't worn navy for decades....) can I get away with black shoes (already have a pair which are the perfect style for the dress) or will it look odd at a summer event?

nice in tan

I think a light tan looks great with navy

yes to traceybaths link

bleugh, nothing is nice in tan

I think that dark tan is too workey.

Did no one like my first M&S link? I thought they were great!

money no object

Thanks for all the suggestions - I do have some shoes in tan but they are not the right style.... I don't "do" pink and tbh think I'd find it hard to get my head around a metallic so looks like tan it is (or I'll just go with what nkf & MmeLindt said!)

Other option of course is to return the dress and start from scratch again...

The dark tan ones i linked to are lighter in the flesh - i tried them on the other day. They were quite CL like/inspired.

I've got some gorgeous lk bennett ones from last year that are nude patent which i've worn to death but can't see any quite like that this season.

Oh and forgot to mention that high heels were not fashionable when I was a young thing so have never quite got to grips with them... a small kitten heel is all I can manage (think platforms would be too clunky with this dress)

I'm with you Grapefruitmoon, I'd go for something like this, but even that is a bit high.

in red

I like these

movingnow, I am feeling depressed at the thought of even trying on navy court K-shoes - surely nothing could signify middle-age more!

These are the sort of style I like but think they are more brown than tan

these

Brown IS Tan surely? Tan being just one of many shades of Brown.

I always thought that brown with navy was worse than black?

brown and black fine

navy and black fine

so sayeth Harpers so it must be true

old rules no longer apply

I need to bow out, I just don't get a navy dress with brown/tan shoes....ugh

I do like the ones PuppyMonkey has linked to

They look like little old ladies shoes to me!

black and navy- yuck- it's as if you really wanted navy but couldn't find them , so another dark colour- ie black- was the next choice!

Any colour except black please! it's just so fuddy duddy to wear black shoes with navy clothes.

Suggest silver, gold, taupe, tan, or a bright colour like cerise, purple, ( great contrast) or even emerald green.

Update - I bowed to MN wisdom and have got

these

(I know I said I didn't want wedges but....!)

They are a little higher than I would normally wear but I think I will manage as the wedge makes it more stable.

I mainly decided on M&S so I could change them easily. They are a bit pooh-coloured (so I hope this is what you all meant by tan) but I think I might wear them after the event as well!

Thanks for all your help.