Cocktail Dress and Shoe Dilemma

[Indianamom2]

So here's the deal: I am going with DH (VP of the trust company) to his company's anniversary reception in mid-February. It will be held in a very ornate opera house / ballroom ( been there for several events) and the attire is cocktail. There will be a reception and symphony performance.

While my husband will have no issues with the dress code, I work full time from home, sitting at my desk behind the computer screens in my yoga pants! I currently have no viable options to wear, which is fine, I can purchase something. I was thinking something like this maybe :

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/sl-fashions-plus-size-glitter-flocked-ruched-dress?ID=7009151&CategoryID=5449&swatchColor=Black%2FGreen#fn=SPECIAL_OCCASIONS%3DP arty%2FCocktail%26SIZE%3DSPECIAL_SIZE%3APlus%20Siz es%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D936%26ruleId%3D19%7CBOOST%20AT TRIBUTE%7CBOOST%20SAVED%20SET%26searchPass%3Dmatch None%26slotId%3D16

I really want something simple and would prefer sleeves. I am unfortunately not thrilled with my current figure, which could be best described as an apple ( thin legs, but all my weight is in my midsection). I don't usually wear dresses and this is where the other part of the dilemma comes into play: I know heels would be appropriate for this (or any) dress, but since my back surgery, I have severe nerve damage and weakness in my left leg that makes wearing heels impossible, I can easily roll my ankle in flats, so heels just can't happen, unless they were super chunky and low, maybe....and that's a big maybe.

So given the shoe issue, should I forget the dress and go with dressy slacks and a shimmery top/sweater? (It will be cold.) Any thoughts, suggestions on attire? Ideas? I don't want to spend a ton, but would be willing to spend more for the pants/ top as I would probably use them more. Any ideas would need to be plus size. Thanks!

[SnuggleBuggles]

You don’t need heels for that dress. Ballet flats would be fine. Maybe even just an opaque black tight and black flat. I’ll pull up some shoe ideas.
Cute dress, by the way. Bling it up some jewelry wise though.
Don’t wear pants. You’re wrong in thinking dressy pants are less likely to need heels. If anything, going to a cocktail party and trying to pull off pants definitely calls for heels or it could look too casual (and possibly a bit grumpy based on specific choices).


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[Indianamom2]

You don’t need heels for that dress. Ballet flats would be fine. Maybe even just an opaque black tight and black flat. I’ll pull up some shoe ideas.
Cute dress, by the way. Bling it up some jewelry wise though.
Don’t wear pants. You’re wrong in thinking dressy pants are less likely to need heels. If anything, going to a cocktail party and trying to pull off pants definitely calls for heels or it could look too casual (and possibly a bit grumpy based on specific choices).


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Thanks. I can definitely do ballet flats for an evening and jewelry would be easy to find! I just don't know how that freewill look on me, but that's a whole other issue.... ��

[Smillow]

I love that dress! You’re going to look fabulous!

[Indianamom2]

I love that dress! You’re going to look fabulous!

Thank you! ��

[Mommy_Mea]

That is a beautiful dress! I definitely think black velvet flats would look totally appropriate with that dress.

[mikala]

Love the dress and I agree with others that black tights and flats will be perfect with it

[Indianamom2]

That is a beautiful dress! I definitely think black velvet flats would look totally appropriate with that dress.

Thanks! I think black velvet flats sound easy enough to find.

[Indianamom2]

Love the dress and I agree with others that black tights and flats will be perfect with it

Glad to know I am on the right track. It's been a long time since I've had a dressy occasion.

[mom2binsd]

I would also look at solid colors dresses/all one pattern or ones without the puffy waist, would have to see that one on to know how it fits, but a fit and flare dress might also work. I'm on mobile snd I'm tired but will look tomorrow.

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[TwinFoxes]

I think pointy-toed flats would look better than rounded.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I think pointy-toed flats would look better than rounded.

I was trying to remember what was more on trend now. My instinct was pointy but wanted to check that I wasn’t behind the times. :)


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[newnana]

Love that dress, agree with others, flats are fine! I personally struggle with my current weight working from home in my yoga pants, so I hear you and echo that you will look fabulous! That link also had these 2 on the side when I pulled it up and I think they are also great options if you don't love it on (sometimes I need a back up plan):

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/sl-fashions-plus-size-sequined-lace-dress?ID=7008947&tdp=cm_app~zMCOM-NAVAPP~xcm_zone~zPDP_ZONE_A~xcm_choiceId~zcidM05MD U-cd4f2ca9-69e4-4fd8-ab69-118bd7373ea5%40H7%40customers%2Balso%2Bshopped%245 449%247008947~xcm_pos~zPos5~xcm_srcCatID~z5449

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/jessica-howard-plus-size-portrait-collar-a-line-dress?ID=607643&tdp=cm_app~zMCOM-NAVAPP~xcm_zone~zPDP_ZONE_A~xcm_choiceId~zcidM05MD U-61c3da69-a9c1-420c-9d66-eb67a86de744%40H7%40customers%2Balso%2Bshopped%245 449%24607643~xcm_pos~zPos3~xcm_srcCatID~z5449

HTH

[Mommy_Mea]

I think pointy-toed flats would look better than rounded.


I was trying to remember what was more on trend now. My instinct was pointy but wanted to check that I wasn’t behind the times. :)


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I agree, rounded might look to young. I was eyeing a few different shoes yesterday, some of them don't get great reviews, but are at least an idea :)

https://www.softsurroundings.com/p/isabella-flats/
https://www.amazon.com/Circus-Sam-Edelman-Womens-Ritchie/dp/B06XTKMXNT

[abh5e8]

I love the Sam Edelman Rodney flats in black suede.

Sam Edelman Women's Rodney Ballet Flat Black Suede 7 M US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJM83MW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_MdJsCbBRV37K6

These are cute and comfy too.

https://www.naturalizer.com/Mobile/ProductDetail.aspx?originalReferrer=direct&pg=3016079

[mom2binsd]

I liked the black dresses linked especially the one with sequins (first one) although it sounds like you have great legs so maybe show them off with a shorter hemline! I'd go with the dressier flats not the Sam Edelman ones, they are too plain for this occasion.

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[mom2binsd]

How about this from Macy's? I think it's modern and dressy, long sleeves without being too covered up? 4850

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[Indianamom2]

Wow, so many helpful responses since I last checked in (this working full time thing really cuts into my internet social life��)!! Thank you all for the suggestions - they are very helpful!

[Indianamom2]

What about these shoes? I just started looking....are they too much, too bridesmaid-ish?
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/nina-zenida-shoes?ID=6680740

Oops, the link should have been for the black version, sorry.

[BunnyBee]

What about these shoes? I just started looking....are they too much, too bridesmaid-ish?
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/nina-zenida-shoes?ID=6680740

Oops, the link should have been for the black version, sorry.

They're a little "sweet" to me.

A friend had these on at a holiday event, and they looked great! She said they were comfortable too. I keep meaning to grab some at Target. https://www.target.com/p/women-s-pam-v-throat-sling-back-mules-a-new-day-153-black-10/-/A-53495350?

Also, you might try some flowy shift styles in addition to the fit and flare. Sometimes the full skirts make my stomach/hips/butt look bigger. I am on the top end of regular sizes and sometimes get the W for dresses for the extra bust room, and I can sometimes do the fit and flare if the skirt is pleated and not gathered. I am a plump hourglass though. ;) Maybe try one like this? https://www.macys.com/shop/product/msk-plus-size-beaded-shift-dress?ID=5093253&tdp=cm_app~zMCOM-NAVAPP~xcm_zone~zPDP_ZONE_B~xcm_choiceId~zcidM06MA U-bc9531c2-006a-4e57-8dc1-62a8e55132c6%40H8%40customers%2Balso%2Bloved%24544 9%245093253~xcm_pos~zPos3~xcm_srcCatID~z5449

[Kindra178]

I like a couple of others made by that same brand at Macy’s. I also love the lace option posted by moms2b above the absolute best.

For flats, look at Dansko.

ETA: with feet or back issues, pick shoes that you can wear all night with less regard for look. I can’t believe I’m saying this - I am the biggest shoe snob ever. But I have a number of complicated diagnoses with my feet and have found Dansko to be the only option tolerable. You don’t want to ruin an event cause you are in pain.


Haters don’t hate - check out dansko pearlina or dansko lisanne.


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