Thanks for all the shoe love, but they are old and dangerously slippery and I have fallen in them, so they are going. The cat, I do indeed understand bookmarking and like animal print, but getting any more is a very long term prospect right now as I have fussy feet.
Slim cat I know a higher waist looks better, but it is my actual waist, and I hate the sensation of a thin belt over my rib cage, not to mention that if I lose weight to what I was pre winter may well have a waistline about 3 inches smaller than my ribs.

I love it with bare legs! Hopefully you have some other footwear options? Re: the sleeves, can they be cuffed? I know you have some sewing skills too but a folded sleeve showing your wrist and a bit of forearm might work well.

I think it all depends on how much you want to go in this direction, whether it is too hard to return and maybe too hard to find anything remotely similar ( I’ve been THERE) and what is your tolerance for some of the newer , comfortable but less “ conventionally flattering proportions for footwear. You can absolutely wear this style of dress well.
From the photos, the dress is not a perfect fit out of the gate. The sleeves don’t fit you currently , and that detracts from the intended look, but might be fixable as noted above.
the long ( -and full) sleeves plus midi length plus dark color are a lot , from the way my eye sees things, but might not bother you.
I cuff most of my long sleeved shirts to show some wrist, and if you like that look, it would lighten things up.
It’s not clear if the shoes you actually would wear with dresses “ go “ with this dress, and whether you want to wear light Foote and bare legs or not. “Sneakers are fab” is too broad a statement if someone is going for a particular look, and even then may require certain styles or colors and doesn’t work for all situations, which of course is just IMO and different from lots of others, I have always had to focus my dresses or skirts around what footwear I’m willing and able to wear. Obviously that’s limiting and getting more so, but it’s because I may have a certain look and feel I want to get from an outfit, and if I can’t really put it together I might wear other items /outfits instead. Of course I am not always that picky or successful , but those are questions that go through my mind.

Jules, yes the sleeves can be cuffed, there are tabs to hold it.
Unfrumped, thanks I really feel you do get the issues! Thanks for your thorough reply.
Angie, if you could manage it, could I get your thoughts on the fit. Note that could probably easily take the side seams in, I have often done that in the past.