Friday, March 30, 2018

With A Little Help From My Friends

Last July I rode my motorcycle up to Toronto to see a good friend, Suzanne. During my visit we went clothes-shopping. Of course.

Suzanne then gave me one of the greatest gifts ever -- the courage to try on women's clothing in a store dressing-room. I'd never done that before. Suzanne's presence and support gave me the strength needed to cross this bridge. As you know, trying on clothes is very important because you can't tell how a garment is going to look until you put it on. In the past I was too scared to do this and often bought clothes only to later discover they don't fit right.

In one store, I took a dozen items into the dressing-room. I was shocked to see how many of them looked bad when I anticipated them to look good. One dress, however, a slinky, ruched black velvet beauty fit me perfectly. I had doubts about it before trying it on but was pleasantly surprised when I did.

Here is the dress. What do you think? I'm also wearing a mermaid necklace that was a sweet gift from a friend.











26 comments:

  1. This dress is so elegant and lovely on you!! Very nice! I love that necklace too and it works so great with the neckline on this dress!

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  2. I love that she inspired you to be able to change in a dressing room!!! You look gorgeous in that dress!

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  3. That is a beautiful dress and you wear it well. I can really appreciate the stress of going into a ladies dressing room for the first time. It is fearful but I guess once that fear is overcome it becomes easier.
    Pat

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    1. That's true. You expect the world to swallow you up but, when it doesn't, you realize there's more freedom than you believed.

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  4. I can imagine it must have been daunting to try on women's clothing in a store dressing-room, and I love how Suzanne's support made you overcome this hurdle. That dress is very elegant and you're looking gorgeous in it, Ally! xxx

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    1. Thank you. "Daunting" is exactly the right word.

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  5. Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! This dress looks fabulous on you, Ally. The wide V neck balances your shoulders, and aims to the waist. The ruching on the sides adds extra waist, and the long slinky fit emphasizes your hips (with that sexy slit to show off your great legs!). It effectively creates an hourglass on a more rectangular shape. You look incredible. I am so proud of you! I hope you'll be trying some stuff on with me!!

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  6. I think waist ruching is a secret weapon. It emphasises desirable curves and hides undesirable ones, and in this case creates curves! Why don't I have any ruching? Even the word is fun.
    I love this dress on you and by the elegant way you are holding your hands, I feel you feel elegant in it. Am I right?
    I remember trying on men's clothing in a men's store. Although not as scary as the reverse I'm sure, without a friend's support it was still plenty scary when you know the underlying reason for it. You feel like the whole world has eyes on your soul, and a great alarm will sound outing you to everyone!
    I'm so glad the experience worked out for you. Yay Suzanne!
    xo Jazzy Jack

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    1. I agree about the ruching. It's magic. And, yes, I felt elegant. It took study and practice to learn how to pose in a feminine way and I enjoyed that education. Thank you for your anecdote about the store: it resonates with me deeply.

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  7. I love it. You look like an old Hollywood movie star siren.

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    1. Don't I? Never thought that was possible. :-)

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  8. I think this is such a win! I'm glad you had the guts to try things on. Things look much different on a body than on a hanger!

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  9. Hey... where did you get the necklace? It's beautiful.

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    1. Thank you. A friend gave it to me. I love mermaids and all my friends know that.

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  10. Love this dress on you! And that necklace!!! Im so excited and proud to hear that you tried them on before buying! Glad you had a friend there to support you too! Have a wonderful weekend!!

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  11. How awesome to have a friend like Suzanne who would stand by you and give you the courage to try on clothes before buying them.

    I just love how elegant you look in this beauty!!!!

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    1. Thanks, Sweetie. Yes, Suzanne is a treasure.

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  12. You look absolutely stunning in that dress!! It's a great fit and very elegant.

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  13. I like how this dress looks. The V cut, the fabric, in fact I have a similar one !

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  14. You look stunning my friend, and happy. You’re glowing. :)

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