Yesterday, I was driving home from court after a hard day of unpleasantness. I was tired and utterly out of enthusiasm. Since my favorite thrift-store is on the way, I figured I'd stop in for a look. I wasn't planning on buying anything and didn't expect to find anything special.
I was wrong. I discovered a dress so pretty that it turned my whole day around.
The dress, shown below, beams like a ray of sunshine. It was amazingly priced at only $19 and is large enough to fit on my body. A triple win.
Reflecting on it, I realize that this dress is fashion for its own sake. I have no idea how to describe this dress, or what category it inhabits, or where one would wear it. But I love the dress. Love love love it. The vibrant colors, the adorable flowers, the tulle underskirt. Just putting on the dress is a thrill. Oh, and while at the store, I found these Steve Madden platform pumps for only $14. (Size 11 -- ouch!)
Destiny certainly played a role -- the same day my friend Lynne sent me the pretty orange flower-ring I'm wearing. It matches the dress perfectly.
Do you ever wear clothes that you love for the pure sake of their beauty?
Since I have no place to wear this dress, how 'bout we throw a Bloggers' Party? Pull something pretty out of the back of your closet, toss on some fancy jewelry, and join me in smiling at the mirror. Let's enjoy fashion for its own sake.
Oh my gosh. So pretty. And orange is a great color for you my dear!
ReplyDeleteOrange is definitely your color, Ally! I think it's fate that you found that dress after a hard day.
ReplyDeleteTo me, it looks like a great dress for celebrating Cinco de Mayo - throw in a few margaritas and you've got a party! ;)
You're inspiring me to bust out that cocktail dress that I wore once and haven't had a chance to wear since ... :)
wow wow wow wow wow! the dress looks amazing! it's so unique!
ReplyDeleteThat color is incredible!!! I adore orange. I think it would be right at home at a fancy tea party or formal wedding lunch or cocktail night!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how such a pretty dress brings you happiness, and a pair of masculine brogues does the same thing to me? Fashion is such an incredible thing, I can't imagine not feeling joy while getting dressed.
You figured out the category, without even realizing it -- IT"S A PARTY DRESS!
ReplyDeleteI love wearing orange and I'm wearing it now!
Yay!
DeleteFun fun fun! Total party dress!!! Loveeee! I will pull out something fun soon and join your blogger dress party!
ReplyDeleteAnd this "I discovered a dress so pretty that it turned my whole day around."
Yesssss!
Becky :)
Aww! So fun and what a fun dress! I am glad you were able to find some sunshine after a bad day :) Heather
ReplyDeleteDoes size 11 fit you? I see that size a lot when I'm out and about.
ReplyDeleteIt's totally a party dress! I love all the glitzy details - you look great in orange!
I'm a size 12, so I can squeeze into 11 but can't walk in them. Good enough for photos but hobbling otherwise.
DeleteI was having one of those days... but I did the opposite. I threw on sweats and a t-shirt and went for a run. Turns out you can't run away from your problems... maybe next time I'll try shopping for pretty dresses instead!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely party time. I have a few things that I'd love to wear and can't get over feeling foolish. I need to take a page from your book and just wear them. A party dress is a perfect way to feel like the day is fun.
ReplyDeleteOrange! I love orange! What a find! Now start posting on Lookbook, missy
ReplyDeleteBold tangerine, well that colour doesn't get any better than that! You look great and ready to party! :)
ReplyDeleteAs has already been said, orange really suits you :)
ReplyDeleteI wish that clothes could talk. I spend way too much time in thrift stores wondering about special clothes' stories, who wore them, loved them, felt pretty in them, experienced something amazing in them, etc. I think this dress made someone very happy before you scored it in The Great Circle of Clothes, and now it's meant to make you happy! It makes me happy just looking at you wearing it.
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm, might be time to get that green sequined top out again...lol.
What an outstanding dress! I can definitely see how it would help turn your day around and it's my favorite color orange!!
ReplyDeleteThat dress is gorgeous - I can see why you couldn't leave it behind. And it was kismet that Lynne sent you the ring, too.
ReplyDeleteNext time there's a blogger birthday party collecting pictures, you'll be ready!
The shoes, too, are great. I like the shape of Steve Madden shoes, kind of curvy and sex-ay!
Reading this article, I was just thinking about what a novel concept it is to just buy clothes for the sake of fashion. I think you have a unique freedom in that, since you know that most of the clothes you buy are for wearing at home only. If I buy something and DON'T wear it publicly, it feels like a waste.
ReplyDeleteBut, now that you have a little party going...I might have to dig up an old bridesmaid's dress or something :)
Yes, my situation differs from that of yours (and every other reader here), but maybe that frees me to consider and do things that would benefit all of us. I'm an outlier in many ways, some of which might be instructive to normal people like you. At least I hope so.
DeleteSometimes little things can change the entire scenario, i am glad you found this dress and that it turned your day around.
ReplyDeleteWhen I have tough days I try to focus on the fact that nothing lasts forever and that soon things should be over and better things will come my way :)
You've got me thinking where would one wear this dress to - and i have no idea.
Now, the shoes are fabbbbbbbulous and i wonder do you try things on at the thrift shop or any store for any other matter or do you just drop buy them and then try them on at home?
I have never tried anything on at any store. At most, I'll hold up a dress and try to guess with my eyes if it will fit me. As brave as I try to be in simply shopping for women's clothes, I don't want to cross the line where I'd make others uncomfortable.
DeleteI hope the day is coming soon that you can shop without worrying that being your fabulous self in a dress shop will make people uncomfortable.
DeleteThank you, Aya. That is a really sweet thing to say.
DeleteHow can anyone not be happy wearing a bright orange dress. With tulle! You look great! I so want a dress like that just to put on as a "pick me up".
ReplyDeleteLove that orange! Definitely enough to brighten up the day.
ReplyDeletethat's a good color on you! It makes your face so rosey and cheery!
ReplyDeletesweet heels! too bad they are a bit small, but they look great in the pictures! nice find on the dress, too. the color is nice and vibrant!
ReplyDelete[oomph.]
$500 Mother's Day Giveaway!
What a gorgeous dress and the ring matches perfectly ... Yu look very pretty ... unfortunately I cannot come to the party as I dont have a party dress!!!! Boo hoo!!!!
ReplyDeletedo you feel comfortable about buying women's clothes in person? if so, how long did it take for that to happen?
ReplyDeletethanks for the lovely comments about my video and voice!! xo
Thank you for asking. This is important to me.
DeleteI feel comfortable now. That happened when I stopped worrying about what strangers think. I'm even willing to browse outdoor clothes racks at boutiques.
It took me years, literally years, to arrive at this place. I had to realize that my happiness is as or more important as anyone else's moral judgment.
Ali, you look gorgeous in this dress! Fantastic color. A definite party dress. And the ring goes with it perfectly. It was meant to be. Great shoes too.
ReplyDeleteI am imagining this with some mid-length or elbow-length gloves, to show off the elegant party cut.
ReplyDeleteI too have a few dresses I found thrifting that I have no practical purpose for, but I love how they make me feel. They stay in my closet and now and again I try them look at them or put them on and feel magical.
The gloves are a great idea. And I have some!
DeleteOh this is gorgeous and such a great idea. I don't have any "impractical, but beautiful" dresses in my closet at the moment. So I may have to make my post in a week whenever I visit my parent's home!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad it brightened your day and wardrobe! =] It's definitely a unique dress, and I've never seen anything quite like it before.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE! I LOVE how the dress fits you- I love the color, the fun tulle. The hemline is just right- not too short, not to long. I love the rosettes and the shoes you chose to pair it with, and most of all I LOVE the look of joy in your eyes that you are wearing it.
ReplyDeleteThis, for me, is the true glory of "fashion." Fashion a fun, joyful, self expression. Brava, dear Ally.
you have the most fun BEST clothes!!! love this fun dress!
ReplyDeleteJ
That color is to die for...to DIE for! And it has just the right amount of tulle. What a lucky find. The universe was smiling upon you!
ReplyDeleteOh I promised I wouldn't comment on every post but I have to say I love your idea for a Blogger's party, in fact I love everything about this post! Your dress is a beauty and the ring from your friend Lynne was just made to go with it, and those shoes are my perfect shoes, they're gorgeous. It shows in your face how good you feel and look in this outfit. I know what you mean about loving something just for the beauty of it, I feel like that about my Irregular Choice shoes, they're not particularly practical but they're just so pretty it makes me happy to look at them. Great post! xx
ReplyDeleteWow! Boy do I miss some good stuff when I slack at blog reading! This dress is just brilliant, and Serendipity would definitely be the name for this fantastic outfit, it all came together just when you needed it. Honestly, I had always wondered why people could be so obsessed (?) with clothing, but when I started sewing clothes and subsequently noticing fashion, I understood how it can not only express your aesthetic tastes, but alter your mood and lift your spirits.
ReplyDeleteThis is a happy dress! Anything with tulle makes me happy too!
ReplyDeleteDaphne.