Dress Dilemma

On Friday night, I attended an awards ceremony with work. I knew it would be a glamorous event as the dress code was black tie. So to practise what I preach and to avoid stress and panic, I knew I had to be prepared and get organised.  

 I started off by searching all my favourite online shops to see what was available. I already had an idea in my head (which sometimes I think is not the best way to approach a situation like this.) I was left disappointed with what was on offer and couldn’t find anything that was at all like the image I had created in my head.  

Time to bite the bullet; I went to the high street hoping I would find the real version of the dress of my imaginary dress. Unfortunately I left empty handed and slightly disheartened. Vowing I would take that dress making course.

I started to worry as the high street was not delivering what I wanted and the day of the awards was vastly approaching.  I went back on the internet looking at my favourite celebrities to see if I could be inspired.  I always tend to look to the past for inspiration towards my outfits and I happened to stumble across  a gorgeous image of 1940s screen siren Marlene Dietrich rocking a male tux. Further research led me to celebs such as Fearne Cotton, Kate Moss and Sarah Jessica Parker all who had worked this look before and looked amazing. I thought I could make this look work for me.

 Unfortunately after running the idea passed a few others the reaction I received was a mixed one. Now, usually in regard to style I don’t really listen to others and if I like I will wear it. However this time I went with the majority vote and ruled out the idea.

After another frantic visit to town, I found a dress. The dress is question was very pretty. It was long and had an oriental vibe which I loved, but I just didn’t feel 100% right about it.  However I was officially out of time.   

The night before I had a chat with my sister voicing my dress worries and she said she had a few dresses which would work at a cooperate black tie event.  So I tried on a red number of hers. Very elegant and sophisticated (two things I am not by the way) but I decided to go with it, as it would save money. 

The day of the event and all day I couldn’t get the idea of this dress out of my head. I knew the red dress wasn’t me and I wouldn’t feel right, meaning I would not have a good time.

 It was when I was having my hair done I had an eureka moment and remembered my ever so faithful little black dress.

My LBD looks like it belongs from 1920s it’s covered in tassels and every time I walk it sashays with me, I feel like a flapper girl when I wear it.  I purchased it about four years ago, and I’ve worn it to a few different parties, but every time I wear it I feel great which leads to me having a great night.

So after all of that I ended up wearing an old dress but felt 100 dollars.

My point? Sometimes you don’t always need something new to make you feel good or special. I was so wrapped up in finding the perfect dress I forgot I already had it.

Sometimes I think you can apply this to all different areas of your life. I’m guilty of sometimes overlooking the things that are constant in my life, and wanting something new and exciting, just like I did with my dress.  

This experience has taught me to be happy with what I am already blessed with and not to be constantly looking for the new but to be thankful when it comes.