Category Archives: dress

Serendipity

Today was just one of those days that was just meant to be. I originally arbitrarily picked today as a shopping day because I needed a new dress and I happen to have Friday’s off, unbeknownst to me that it happens to be the first day of a major seasonal sale at just about every store at the mall. I found an amazing black dress demure enough for a wedding, but lovely enough for anything else I want to do in it. Plus, it was on sale, so having saved way more money than I had anticipated I also bought another dress that just as easily converts from office to whatever. And even with buying two dresses I spent less than I was expecting to spend on one. I am happy.

Prior to going to the mall I also found out about two other things I had never heard of. While both are interesting, one is far more relevant to me. Tanya wanted to go to a specialty breast feeding store. Two kids, and I had no clue about this. Considering I will not be having any more children, I have no need for this type of store. But if any of you are interested, Google the concept and I am sure there is something like this in your area. I wish I had known about this, um, four years ago. It is actually a pretty useful store.

Then, as Tanya and I were walking to get lunch, I saw something called a Dry Bar. I found the name rather strange, so I looked them up (as opposed to just walking in and figuring it out right then). Apparently dry bars are places where they give you champagne while blow drying your hair. I was intrigued. A hair dryer *and* champagne. It sounds like a great idea. What more can a woman ask for?

 

The Little Black Dress Dilemma

My friend’s wedding is rapidly approaching, and once again I am a bride’s maid. I must be very good at it because I get asked at least once a year. In fact I can probably consider myself a professional by now. I am not sure such a thing exists, but I think I am only a few more weddings away from being able to put this on my resume.I have worn a variety of dresses. Some more flattering than others. I have to say I love it when the bride just picks a color and lets me get anything within the spectrum. I love it even more when she picks a color that I wear well. This time around Cam picked black and gave me leeway with form. I haven’t bought a new black dress in ages, so I am pretty excited. I need a new little black dress. However, I am also being wedding appropriate, so what I may generally wear out to a nice dinner might not be that great for a moderately religious/conservative wedding.

This Friday Tanya and I will be perusing malls in search of the perfect dress. I want to get a head start in case I don’t find it the first time. However, keeping in mind I am trying to be semi conservative, here are several dresses I would love to own, but will *not* be buying for this occasion. I will simply admire them in picture form, and maybe find some excuses for one or two of them. Invent some sort of gathering that I absolutely have to attend which coincidentally requires I purchase one of these dresses. Maybe I will host an ice cream social. Everyone wins.

Where Have All the Knee Length Dresses Gone?

This weekend I went shopping. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, I was just trying to update my summer wardrobe a bit since I spent the last two summers either pregnant or recovering from being pregnant.
My how fashion has changed. I love wearing skirts in the summer months, and I thought I would look around for some trendy new ones. Since I spend the majority of my time at work I wanted to find something that was also work appropriate. Apparently the definition of work appropriate attire has also changed.
I was looking for something knee length. I am no doctor, so anatomical precision wasn’t my biggest concern. I would settle for anything within the general vicinity of my knees. It seems in the last couple of years all the real estate in knee territory has been sold and the hemlines were forced to migrate far north. I definitely could not wear any of the dresses I found at work. In fact, I am pretty sure I should not be wearing those dresses anywhere. Society would benefit.
I found multiple really cute tops. I got a new sweater. But in the back of my mind I kept thinking of finding a dress or skirt. I found one. I snatched it off the rack and sure enough it was in my size. And it was knee length! Unfortunately it is also strapless. Which means I will be having to wear a cardigan over it. I was beginning to think there is a new rule that mandates only so much material be used to fabricate a dress. Since this one was considerably longer than the rest it compensated by having no sleeves. But I have to admit it is easier to put on a cardigan than to try and invent a new fad for thigh warmers. Which is what I would need with the other options on the market.
My theory on “only so much material be used to fabricate a dress” was proven wrong only a few hours into my shopping trip. There seemed to be an abundance of dresses and skirts made for women much larger than me in every dimension. Even in my four inch heels these dresses would drag on the ground. And as for the waist? I would have to use every belt in my collection to keep these things from falling down. Yes, they were long, far longer than knee length. And they were made of the flowey, soft material I sought after. But I am not sure how many alterations these dresses could sustain and still maintain their style and shape. Also, their abundance made me think that maybe there aren’t that many women made to fit into them.
Even though I made out with tons of cute tops, I still felt like I should write a strongly worded letter to someone in fashion. Because either they don’t work in an office, or they haven’t gone out lately to see what real women look like. Possibly both.
In the meantime I will make due with my new dress/skirt and billion tops to go with it.