Styling this dress for a party

We are having a party at our place in a month (significant birthday). Nibbles, drinks, entertainment etc, in the house and spillling out onto our deck (with heaters). It is late spring so unpredictable weather wise.

As the host I can wear what I like!! Yay.

I bought this dress a couple of weeks back on a whim. I love it but it is a wildcard because:

- It is fairly body con and has slits
- it is bright

I am not 100% sure I will wear this but at this stage I want to. I may wear a pleated black/cream/blue dress or I may get something new - maybe pants. But the dress is not returnable so even if not for this night I would like to wear it for other parties (engagement party soon, or upcoming Christmas parties).

I have shown with tall boots and with sandals. I could also wear ankle boots, nude sandals, cream sandals or maybe get new footwear. I could wear a different belt. I could add a pendant or cuffs or large earrings. I see this as a little bit 70s and suited to bold styling. I could wear footless tights and go more 80s. But what do you think.

I don't want to look like I am in costume but I want to look cool, relaxed and fun:) Of course I am these things (not the cool but the relaxed and fun).

I am wearing shape wear but probably would get a different pair. I am okay with shapewear - I don't find it uncomfortable.

Styling ideas are welcomed - thanks in advance.

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8 years ago

Dianna

Veteran

Wow, the dress is gorgeous. The color is beautiful and it fits you perfectly. I like it both ways, but I LOVE it with your new boots. It is a great dress for you, Sal.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Sal, I'm in the significant birthdays period as well, coming up on 51 in the next few days. I love red as a power color. I like this dress on you better with sandals than with boots.

Sal

Thanks Dianna and UmmLila. It is actually quite orange - almost red but not quite. My iphone camera seems to be deteriorating right now.

It is Jon's birthday not mine but I am only a couple of years off!!

unfrumped

Beautiful dress!
I tend to like rather conventional proportions so I think the skirt/hem style does not work so well over tall boots and maybe less over suede, though I live the way the boot color complements your hair. . I think some kind of chunky sandal or shorter boot or bootie and similar color. That said, I also support not having to buy too many new things!

Anonymous

This dress is very nice! It definitely has a cool vibe.
I would wear accessories that match the style of your footwear (whatever you choose). For other parties where you're the guest, I would find an envelope clutch or something like that.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

LOVE THE DRESS. KILLER.

I prefer the dress with boots. AMAZING. Large hoop earrings and a cuff.

Jaime

Love it with the boots and your hair looks great from every angle.

always trying

Looks like a great dress for a party. I would wear with the sandals.

Gigi

Wow, you look fantastic in that dress! I slightly prefer it with the sandals.

lyn67

Love it both ways, beautiful color and fit, what's the question???:-) I often feel costumey in something new, so maybe you have to "break in" the dress before the actuall event!

viva

I love this dress with both types of footwear, but for me, the boots have a cooler 70s vibe, and the sandals feel more conventional. Personally I think I'd like the 80s look (over footless tights) the least, but that's totally a personal style thing. I just love this look with the suede boots. It's very chic, works well with your hair, and is very commanding and stylish. Very "fab host" kind of look. Gold-toned jewelry, some kind of big earring: perfect.

Brooklyn

You look sensational Sally, especially with the boots. And I completely agree with Viva.

anchie

Looking killer gorgeous in it. I like it equally with boots and sandals but each has different vibe. Sandals are more modern and boots more retro.

Beth Ann

What a fabulous dress! It definitely deserves a place in your closet! Special occasions are the perfect time to go bold, and this dress is quite elegant and sophisticated.

Stagiaire Fash

Love the look with the boots. Coincidentally, you fit right in with Angie's blog post today.

RobinF

Love it! This looks great on you. I slightly prefer the boots because I think boots always add cool-ness.

I think I would prefer nude sandals over the black.

Couldn't you wear the boots if the weather is cool but sandals if it is warm?

Bijou

Sal - you are definitely cool, relaxed and fun (especially fun).

This dress looks amazing on you and absolutely is perfect to wear as the hostess to a party. I love it both ways, but the boots are my favourite because I love and adore boots and dresses as a combination.

I hope you wear this dress at every possible occasion, because it is the ultimate LRD (little red dress) that I think every wardrobe needs!

texstyle

I prefer it with the boots - great dress on you!

JAileen

I like the dress with the boots, too. I think you'll look like the cool girl in that outfit.

JuniperGreen

FAB! So great on you - either way it's a winner.

It is definitely a stunning outfit on you. I am on the team for boots. A great hoop earring would rock, too. As would a cuff or maybe a bangle stack. That color is really lively and vivacious, love it.

Sara L.

Great dress! I like both shoes which is great because it makes the dress more versatile. The boots are fun look that works well with the high slit.

Jenn

It's your shadow bombshell style coming out to play! I like it with the boots, but I think nude sandals would be great too. Maybe play it by ear based on the weather?

Christina F.

Fabulous!! I am agnostic about the shoe style, so I'd probably pick the more comfortable of the two options. Or based on weather, as Jenn says. You can't go wrong.

Deborah

Love the dress and prefer the sandals but if I may as soon as I saw it I could see a slim (not skinny) jersey ankle or slightly cropped pant worn under it and the sandals. I realise or may be too hot at the time, but I just think that would look fantastic. Regardless it's a beautiful dress and looks so good on you xx

Jenni NZ

I adore the new dress and I at least think you're cool! I slightly prefer the sandals but either is good. I loved being the hostess for Neil's 50th back in the day. He turns 57 next month. In 3 years will have to think of a 60th!
I like Deborah's styling idea too.

harmonica

Boots! Looks fresh and super cool with a nod to the 70's. The dress LOVES you back! What a great find!

skylurker

I'm hopeless at accessorizing, but I like the dress.

It's great with the boots, I love the combination of the soft natural color suede with the bright dress, so sophisticated and I like the idea of the hostess being high visibility!

Appropriateness of potential footwear is the only catch, ordinarily I'd think that the hostess, who won't be arriving or leaving could wear less street ready footwear. I can override that but if the weather is altogether too warm for boots I think something else would be better.

I really like your 70s vision and think you should keep going in that direction, too 80s and the effect might be too close to exercise wear.

New sandals maybe?

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