I stood in a department store dressing room, eying my reflection in the three-way mirror. I wore a silky blue dress and red sweat socks.
My thoughts went something like this:
me: “I’ve always wanted a cocktail dress.”
ME: “Hmm? Sorry, wasn’t listening.”
me: “A dress. You know, something shiny to wear to cocktail parties.”
ME: “Do you know what a cocktail is?”
me: “Of course I do, it’s a… mixed… … drink.”
ME: “So you drink now?”
me: “No, but I should have a pretty dress in case of last-minute invitations.”
ME: “How old are you now?”
me: “Twenty-five.”
ME: “Right. In those twenty-five years, has anyone ever invited you to a cocktail party?”
me: “YOU CAN’T COUNT MY WHOLE LIFE; babies don’t drink.”
Sensing that I might lose the internal debate, I sent this blurry pic to my little sister—
—with a message saying, “If I’m honest, I’ll admit that no one’s ever invited me to a cocktail party, so….”
She immediately replied, “If you build it, they will come.“
Such a good sport.
Remember, folks; when you need a second opinion, ask someone who’s guaranteed to see things your way. The dress, tags still attached, now sits in my bedroom awaiting further consideration.
Cocktails, anyone?
Oooo! I haven’t seen you in this yet, so that will be fun. :)
You could try it out at the dinner we’re going to on Friday.
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Rebekah Reply:
December 7th, 2010 at 10:19 PM
PLEASE TELL ME THE DINNER ISN’T THIS FANCY.
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Ow Ow Ow!
You, m’dear, are one gorgeous lady all the time, but wowza do you look STUNNING in that dress. The cut is divine, and that neckline is perfection. I might wonder about hemming it a little because you’re a teeny one, but pretty much the only thing I have to say is: Yowza.
P.S. Did I rave about the color? Oh, the color.
P.P.S. Does it come in size 16?
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Keep it! It looks fabulous on you, and your sister’s hilariously right. Go grocery shopping in it!
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Beautiful dress! I’m glad your sister was able to respond quickly enough so that you got it :) Some other ideas aside from cocktail parties could be 1) YouTube singing performance 2) Holiday picture shoot to capture your youth 3) Picnic with Mr. Jaunty or something else simple. Like the people who go bowling in their prom dresses, just without the bowling.
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For what it’s worth, about two years ago (or more?) I bought a Bitten dress from Sarah Jessica Parker’s line for Steve & Barry’s. I had no occasion in mind but I liked it too much not to get it. Last weekend I finally wore it for the first time to a holiday party, and it was perfect. I’m glad I bought it as a just-in-case dress.
SO I think you will find an occasion for it – it’s too pretty not to be *perfect* for something in the near future.
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You look fabulous – work it, girl!
I have a propensity to buy a lot of cocktail dresses based on the fact that I used to gig a lot. I don’t perform as often these days, and though I’d like to utilize them for parties, my friends are mostly pretty laid back jeans-wearers. Therefore I must be careful about the attraction to glimmery. However, I did find a gem recently at Ross that made me feel pretty smokin’ at my boyfriend’s company’s holiday party. Juuuust the ticket.
I agree with your sis. Now you’re prepared! And you look goooood.
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I’ve bought clothes before that I never wore anywhere… BUT every now and then I’d go put said item on and do my makeup just so I could check myself out in the mirror for a few minutes and feel pretty. I think that counts. Everyone should have something they can put on to make them feel good when they’re having a blah day… and you never know – you just MIGHT wind up wearing it somewhere! cheers to you and your new dress :)
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Hahahahahaha Asking for second opinions, huh? hahahahaha It rings a bell… =P
I think you look gorgeous and that it was your destiny to buy that dress. Anyway… I’ve never thrown a cocktail party in my life… but if you ever visit me (Spain or other countries) we will have one! Deal? =)
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Gorgeous dress.
Gorgeous you in the dress.
Very wise little sister.
Win-Win-Win.
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Katie – Thank you, fair maiden!
I linked to the dress and its jersey cousin in my next post. My knees are my least favorite feature, so I favor slightly longer hems. I may or may not get over this hang-up. I may or may not do a screen test to find out what my knees look like to the outside world.
Millie – Hmmm…. tempting!
Lori Shores – I spent a looooong time in that dressing room, deliberating. I was afraid they’d send in a search party. YouTube, portrait, picnic— lady, those are ALL A++ ideas. You’d make a persuasive salesperson.
Kelly – Just saw that dress on your blog! I so rarely find dresses that fit, it’s hard to pass one up… I only own four, including this one.
Angela – Cocktail dresses as work wardrobe? Hot diggity! I don’t have any friends in PA, so I stand less chance of getting invited to parties than ever before. I got my dress at Ross, too! High five!
Sierra – Clothing has a HUGE impact on my morale. A little at-home dress-up might be beneficial… and I’m really curious about what you wear to perk yourself up.
Smiley Woman – I DO love second opinions.
Destiny? As I entered the dressing room with an armful of gray and red dresses, another woman put this blue dress on the reject rack. If I’d walked up thirty seconds later, the dress would have been moved to a rolling rack and I’d never have seen it. Destiny!
Maybe we should have a cocktail party via Skype!
mum – Shall I pretend you’re unbiased? Sure. Thanks, unbiased lady!
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Did you say skype???? I love the idea!!!!
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Rebekah Reply:
December 11th, 2010 at 2:26 PM
I’ll email you my Skype address! =)
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“I’m really curious about what you wear to perk yourself up”
back in my (much) thinner days – a wonderfully silky flowy duck-egg blue skirt, a green silk shirt to go with, and a sparklie belt that probably came from the 60s… :) (actually I did used to wear the shirt out a bit before I decided that silk + a hot climate that induces sweating just plain doesn’t work)
I also had a couple of black mid-thigh length dresses and fairly short snazzy black skirt that looked like it was probably part of a business suit in a former life (I got it from a thrift store) that were always fun to dress up in. the dresses actually have seen a _little_ wear, though oddly enough not the skirt.
yes, Sierra actually has a girlie side (gasp! lol) the secret it out… hehehe.
these days my “perk me up” dress-up usually involves looses black clothes, black lipstick and a spiked collar… lol
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Rebekah Reply:
December 12th, 2010 at 10:39 AM
I didn’t actually gap. but I’ll admit you surprised me. I new about the black ‘n’ spiked side of your personality, but not the flowy, silky side.
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hehe, yeah it’s there…doesn’t come out very often I’ll admit. LoL
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