Life is More Fun in a Dress!

Say “Yes” to a Dress

It’s 6:45pm, the store closes at 7:00 and tomorrow is Easter. I want to find a dress. It’s a tradition. I’m just glad I don’t have to find a matching hat like my grandma did. Still, I don’t know what to do. I really want to wear something new tomorrow, but I ‘m running out of time. I’d rather be at the dentist’s than looking for a dress under pressure. I have broken the family rule.

I raised four daughters and, in an attempt, to avoid tears, fears and any major crisis, I made a hard fast rule. Whenever you find a dress that you absolutely love and is perfect for you – you buy it. No matter how expensive it is, you buy it. No matter what the shipping may cost, you buy it. If it is from a store in London, you buy it. AND you buy it way in advance of any special occasion that calls for wearing a dress! AND you buy it even when there’s not an important event coming up, because we women know how hard it is to find a fabulous dress. AND bottom line, you’re worth it – so buy it!

Of course, I’d rather find a great sale when shopping, yet even purchasing an expensive dress can be a good choice. My philosophy is that if you take the cost of a dress and divide by the number of times you wear it, the most expensive dress in your closet is the one you never wear.

Before You Buy

To help avoid any dresses being banished to the back of the closet, taking up valuable space and wasting money, there are a few helpful “dress buying tests” you can quickly run through before you make a purchase. For instance:

• The tug and tuck test: Do you have to tug at the hem when you sit? Or when you raise your arms, do you have to tuck in a bra strap constantly? If so, it’s a no. Let’s face it, tugging and tucking never looks pretty.
• The skim test: Does it skim your body, not too loose, not too tight. If not, It’s a no.
• The twirl test: Does the dress move with you without wrinkling and can you walk without restraint?  If not, then no. Wrinkled fabrics don’t flatter.
• The dressing room test: Do you immediately love it right away when you put it on? Is it your color and your fit?  Because if you don’t love it when trying it on, it’s not going to change into a deeper red, or the waist band is not going to lower during the car ride home. So, it’s a no.
• Is the dress you? test:  Is it hip, is it fun? Does it speak to who you are?  If yes, then yes, buy the dress!

Try These Tricks

Now don’t panic or give up hope.  There are four  tricks that make finding the perfect dress a bit easier.

• Trick 1. Try on three sizes: (at least) of the same dress: I got this idea from a friend, Heather, who always looks great. She never buys a certain size because as she says, “ I am often surprised by the size I end up purchasing. I can’t let a number or a letter determine what I do, because sizes drastically differ for each designer.” I also learned that just like “petite” is available, many stores carry “long or tall” sizes. You just have to ask.
• Trick 2. Never underestimate the power of scissors. I’m tall with a long waist and many dresses I try on look more like shirts on me. One time I found a dress that not only I adored, it was also on sale with an additional 40% off the sale price. It was a soft sky-blue chiffon and it was gorgeous. Sadly, it didn’t fit right. It was then the idea came to me that at this price I could buy two dresses and my tailor, Jo, would know exactly how to cut, pin and lengthen. And Jo did, and it looked spectacular. You would’ve never known it had been pieced together. Another time I bought a long dress and cut off some of its length and used that fabric to add a simple cap sleeve. You can shop your own closet and revive any unworn dresses by upcycling them. Take an old one and cut it up, adding pieces from other clothing to get the final product. Some people really have a knack for this and come up with the most stylish outfits, adding lace here or some trim there.
• Trick 3. wear the right undergarments. Putting on a cami, a slip, a spanx and the right bra can make a huge difference on how a dress looks and hangs on you.
• Trick 4. Have fun window shopping, catalog shopping and online browsing as you keep an eye out for that perfect dress. I even order three of the same dress in different sizes on-line. I then am able to choose the right size and I get free shipping. Most stores make returns convenient and easy. Shopping on-line is fantastic as you can visit many different stores and designers in the comfort of your home.

Having Fun with Fashion Lifts my Mood

Admittedly, I for one am not in the habit of wearing dresses. When I do, I feel a little “overdressed.” Yet whenever I see a woman at the grocery store in one, I always think, “wow, she looks great.” So, I’ve been experimenting lately with putting on a dress for no other reason than for fun. I then naturally add some earrings, lipstick and cute shoes. Today as I put on a dress, I imagine myself skipping and twirling as I move forward with a bold stride, conquering my day. The power of my femininity comes forth, and I am in step with my best self. On days when I am experiencing my depression, grooming often takes a backseat. When I dress dumpy, I feel dumpy. Yet, what a great idea to use fashion as a “choosing joy” hack. Any time you feel positivity, it is an upward spiral. When I feel good about how I look, my self-conscious worries fade. My life feels brighter. I am taking care of myself and heaven smiles down on me. I can’t resist smiling and I feel joyful. The truth is that having fun with fashion lifts my mood.

Finding a fabulous dress is a worthy quest, because it’s true, life is more fun in a dress. Now, I’m not talking about always wearing a fancy dress, the kind you would show off at a wedding. I am also talking about wearing what my friend Elizabeth calls a “throw and go” dress. You know, the kind you love because it has pockets and you can nap in it. This is a great time of year to look for dresses. I even found one I liked in those fifteen minutes the day before Easter.  I’ve learned though that fashion is not about an occasion. It’s about you. Fashion designer Betsey Johnson encourages, “Always have fun with fashion. Dress to entertain yourself.”  So, say yes to a dress and put on conviction, put on goodness, put on happy, because life is more fun in a dress. AND in the summer life is also cooler in a dress. So come on, have fun AND… say yes!

 

To print click here

 

Helpful hint:  In the evening, pull out the dress you want to wear the next day and using a spray bottle, spritz it with water and then hang it to dry. This will take all the wrinkles out. This is a big help especially when traveling and your dress has been in a suitcase. Say “no” to ironing!   

 

Easter 1967. I am 5 years old and pictured here 2^nd from the left with three sisters. New dresses for all.

 

Here I am pictured with my four daughters and my one daughter-in-law.

 

You may also like to read:  Pull Out Your Pretty Dishes and Feed Your Soul. 

 

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