Making a new dress older

I am hosting a 1950s afternoon tea party at Costume Con 26 in San Jose, CA next month. I figured if I tweaked this dress a bit, it would work fine. I will also be giving a lecture that same day at the convention on the history of sewing patterns.

It is a dress from the fall by Isaac Mizrahi for Target (on the sale rack now). I figured if I changed the buttons and the belt. Maybe added a half apron, I would be ready to host tea. I would wear gloves, but it is hard to serve tea with gloves on. Any suggestions?

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Based on your comments - how about this for accessory ideas? For those you want to know this is Vogue 9880 c. 1959

I can use this pattern from 1961 for the hat. It is off by a few years - but it is almost the same hat.

Regards, Oldpatterns