too much or just enough?

I bought this dress last spring and wore it nonstop for about a month... until I saw a photo of myself and realized that it looked like I was wearing a tent.

A pretty tent. But a tent.

It even requires some assembly -- the dress is actually two layers, and there are little strings at the bottom where you tie them together to create volume. Which is actually very cool, except that I'm not sure 'more volume' is always a good thing when you're relatively petite to begin with (and don't want to be mistaken for an Olsen twin).

What do you guys think? Does the volume work?  I've tried belting it with no success at all, and I'm pretty sure the only fix is to pick shoes that add some height and structure, like these supercute wedges from Wanted.  Don't they remind you a little of the espadrilles Kate Middleton wore the day after the wedding?  Who knew black patent went so well with rope wedges?

Sisley dress, gifted Wanted espadrilles, gifted Foster Grant sunglasses, gifted Iman Global Chic bracelet.