Tuesday, January 13, 2009

The dress.

I love to dress up. I am usually over dressed for most occasions and am head-over-stilettos confident in my wardrobe.

However. I have some issues. Nearly everything I own is black.

The last time I wore a dress, that wasn't black, was at my best friend's wedding when I had two kids. Not three. It was so long ago, way before economical digital cameras, that I had to scan in the following picture of Mr. OH and I at her wedding:

And now, years later, after half a dozen of simple black dresses bought for showers, balls, parties, baptisms, and the very occasional dinner night out with the Mr. OH I am so over the practical black dress. Blah. However. I have my best friend's baby shower in Chicago this weekend, filled with friends I have not seen in years requiring me to look fun, loving, and not-so-conservative black dress like.

You see. I had this epiphany the other day as I was standing in front of my closet scratching my head staring at my 17 black dresses. Some short, others long. Some sleeveless, others halter. Some velvet, others lace. All black. "When did I become so predictable. So. Boring?" I thought to myself. I have the rest of my life to slip into a stuffy black conservative dress, no?

I thought I was quite sassy when I wore this to a back yard barbecue last summer with wedged flip flops:


I knew I was looking classy when I picked this little number for a very fancy brunch in Chicago, last Spring:



And. I bought this classy dress because it was so different from the last purchase since it flared a little more and the straps were a little more "risky." It was perfect for the night out in Manhattan when I visited my sister. SO New York, no? Well at least, it seemed so New York, in my rural Ohio mind.

Today. I went to the mall and decided... No. More. Black. Because... Black is so 2008 and I am so over it.

The first dress I tried on was this pin striped number at Anthropologie. It wasn't black! It was pin stripped. And I looked so BLAH in it. Blah. Blah. UGH! Boring AND predictable. Again.
I saw this dress on the hanger and thought, "That's the dress! Perfect, fitted, classy, and colorful." And then I tried it on..... it looked sooooo much better on the hanger.

This was the next dress I grabbed to try on thinking it wasn't "as" fitted and gave me more room to eat at the baby shower and it was cute. And. Not black at all.
Cute, no?

NO. It made me look like a fifty's housewife. Unless you are a size zero, which I am not, this dress could be THE dress for all occasions. I have a little love affair with anything pleated and that dress would look so sweet with my collection of pearl necklaces. Nevertheless, I said good-bye.

And. My search continued for the dress. The dress, in my head, wasn't black or tight or conservative or stuffy or predictable. Instead, in my head, the dress was colorful and flowy and fun and flirty and so not like anything I have in my closet to date. I am only 31 and I really want to look my age, or younger. I'll take younger.

Twenty years from now I might not be able to pull off a fun, flirty, colorful dress. So I clicked my ballet flats together and marched onward to one of my most favorite stores.

(Insert angel choir) Max Studio.

I came home with this dress and matched it up with these earrings, bracelets, and shoes I already had collecting dust at home.


When I came home and stole downloaded this picture from Max Studio I was a little disappointed. It looked so frumpy. The picture is in no way as cute as it is on. Which is a good reminder that I shouldn't always shop online. The silk clings to where it's supposed to and flows as I walk and it's short enough with my long legs that... well... as soon as I slipped into the luxurious not-black dress my husband's jaw dropped.

Which only means one thing. I finally found the dress.

Which I plan on wearing to my best friend's baby shower this weekend, on our Mexico vacation in February, to our annual PTA fundraiser in March, and perhaps to Easter brunch in April as well. And by July, when I have out-worn this dress, I will be posting something very similar about my woes trying to find the most perfect dress to wear to the BlogHer conference in Chicago.

89classy comments:

Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] said...

Good for you and going for non-black!

I don't think I have a dress (that fits) in my closet. Good thing I don't have any events to go to. But I am gettin' fancy for BH in July!

Rach (Mommy Learns to Blog) said...

Personally, I think you have fabulous taste and love each and every one of the black dresses you posted (major props for wearing that little number to a backyard bbq!).

Love the colorful dress - I bet it looks great! Now, you need to get someone to take a picture of you IN it, so we can see how much more fabulous it is ON you!

Marinka said...

I'm not at all surprised that it looks better on you than on that headless wonder! Congratulations on finding the dress! (But I heart the black ones, too!)

Musings of a Housewife said...

You better be posting a picture of you WEARING that dress. I can't wait to see what it looks like on. Very fun and definitely NOT black. :-)

Mr Lady said...

I have two dresses. I've had the same two dresses since I had two BABIES. That was in the 90's.

This July, we shop. I need you.

Flea said...

Bwahaha! Oh what fun! Find my perfect dress next! You're good!

Monica said...

Yay! You've discovered my fashion strategy. I never wear black anymore. I'm loving bold, jewel tones, rich incredible colors that shout "I'm HAWT!" Everyone wears black. Be different and soak up all that attention you'll get.;) Love THE dress.

BlondeMomBlog (Jamie) said...

I tend to wear a lot of black as a default (am I lazy, does it make me look thinner? I dunno) but I LOVE that dress and color!!!!! Very "bring on the summer." And Mexico vacation in February? That sounds fabulous.

AutoSysGene said...

Oh, make sure to take pictures. If the hubby's jaw dropped then it must be killer!

And I need a dress for Blogher? Barnacles! :)

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Great choice....I love that dress and I am sure you look fabulous in it!!

I tend to gravitate to black as well.....you have totally inspired me to step out of my comfort zone a little more!!

Rhea said...

I love that color! And the color of the one you wore to your best friend's wedding. You should definitely wear more colors because you look great.

Fun! Thanks for sharing your shopping!

Kj said...

I think you are missing a picture in this post. I want to see "the dress" on you -- please.

Kudos to you for finding some personal time and self-lovin' to look your best. That can often be more the challenge than finding the right dress. No?

Nicole Brady said...

My husband grumbled at me last month about how my entire wardrobe is black or brown. No color. I didn't realize it but he was right.

So we bought a little color - nothing cute and flirty like your dress, but I'm not the size of body to fit into a flirty dress.

I'm still trying to decide on BlogHer. DH told me to find out if any of my friends are looking for someone to split the hotel with. He thinks I should go! If I do, I'll look for the cute not-black dress and you in it!

Hailey said...

1. Great dress

2. I love that you are finishing it off with the gold. Perfection.

3. And the Louboutins... OH so classy... OH so OHmommy.

Maura said...

We definitely have to see it on you! That picture isn't terribly attractive and only you rocking in your OH Mommy way will banish its image from my mind. :-)

CC said...

OMG if I was as adorable as you I'd have a million dresses too!

As it is, I think I own 4. And I'm not even sure if I fit in any of them since I haven't worn a dress in years :(

2 Little Irish Boys said...

The dress is fabulous! I used to have tons of wonderfu dresses-a real dress girl. Not so much anymore but I would definitely wear the one you found. My problem is I just don't have the time to look!!

Tyne said...

You are so classy. Good for you on going colorful. I am so into black clothes (especially as I approach my ninth month in pregnancy four)! You have inspired me, AGAIN.

Jay @halftime lessons said...

Wow...I bet the black is you, but you ROCKED the pink.

You go girl.

Jay



Am I really male? I mean, who talks like this??
;-)

the mama bird diaries said...

If I live in Manhattan, do I get a pass on all my black dresses?

I want to see the dress on you. Take pictures please.

Someone Being Me said...

OK, All of those dresses are fabulous. When you decide to weed out your wardrobe just feel free to FedEx them down here. You will have to post a picture of you in the new dress after the baby shower. I hope I look half as good as you after I have this second baby. I am itching to get out of these maternity clothes.

Chelsea said...

As much as I love black, I embrace color. I am happy for you! Also, that picture of you and the husband from YEARS ago - when I first saw it (before I read what you wrote) I thought it was a recent pic. You haven't aged a bit.

Anonymous said...

I think the dress is gorgeous and will look fabulous on you.

That said: I found my perfect black dress over ten years ago as I searched for something to wear to the '98 MTv Video Music Awards and after-party. I found it at Banana Republic. It is still something I would wear, IF I ever manage to fit into it again! Simple enough to last the ages.

(P.S. HUUUGE fan of color here, but there is something about finding *that* black dress, you know?)

You ARE posting a pic of yourself in that, right?

amanda said...

hmmm. i wish i could find a dress! looks fab!

Anonymous said...

I think the dress is gorgeous and will look fabulous on you.

That said: I found my perfect black dress over ten years ago as I searched for something to wear to the '98 MTv Video Music Awards and after-party. I found it at Banana Republic. It is still something I would wear, IF I ever manage to fit into it again! Simple enough to last the ages.

(P.S. HUUUGE fan of color here, but there is something about finding *that* black dress, you know?)

You ARE posting a pic of yourself in that, right?

the planet of janet said...

can you shop for me?

Unknown said...

Lol, I loved you're comparison of the nearly identical black dresses!

Cute dress, really...so much and brighter than better than black. All but two of my own dresses are black. What is wrong with all of us??

And sounds like you'll wear it a lot. Awesome!

Anonymous said...

On top of the dress being gorgeous, can we talk about the shoes?! Those shoes are so hott! We have hardly had anything close to a winter out here, but I am so excited for spring! I can't pull off a dress with white legs! You are going to look so glamorous!

Anonymous said...

I think we need pictures of you in the dress - just to to truly understand the effect. I can already see that the colour will look amazing on you.

Miss said...

I'm not believing it until I see it! ;-)

Anonymous said...

yup...
we MUST see the dress on ya!
pliiiiiiiiiissssssssss!! :)

Scary Mommy said...

I thought the perfect dress was just a legend. Yay for you!!!

Jill said...

Could you be ANY cuter? That photo of you and the Mr. in your pink dress... to die for!

7 weeks after I pop this babe out - I have a wedding to attend... in Indy!

I SO need to go dress shopping then. Color is the new black, right?

Laura said...

ZaZaZaZoom...gorgeous!!!! I am sure you looked great in it! I love it when hubs does the jaw drop...YA for you!!!!

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

I want to see a pic of you in it! I bet you look SO cute. I am not daring with color either.

*Jac* said...

Beautiful! I had the same problem a couple months ago.. a million black dresses and none with color. Now I've gone a little dress crazy and I have all sorts of colored dresses. Dress shopping is so much fun!

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Nice... I bought a dress a few months ago during the rush for high schoolers to get a homecoming dress. There was a teen girl with her family all trying to decide between 2 dresses. 1 was black, 1 was bright blue. I stepped out of the dressing room with my blood red dress and said, "You know, as you get older, you tend to find less and less dresses that are bright colors and FUN. Don't buy the black one in High School. Go for the fun one."

I'm sure they just LOVED my unsolicited advice, but I had just had the same revelation you had. And I LOVE my red dress!

Jessica said...

Love it. My problem is that I don't even have the classic black dress! I seriously need to go shopping.

Nan Patience said...

hurray!! ;)

Anonymous said...

I love, love, love the get up. You will look fab.

Anonymous said...

Isn't that the best, when you can wear a dress multiple times! I absolutely hate wearing it once and then it just sits in the closet. I'm sure you will look awesome!

GypsiAdventure said...

Finding the perfect dress is oh so hard sometimes...glad you found the one to make you feel like a million dollars!!
~K

Stephanie said...

I see you pulling that dress off amazingly! BEAUTIFUL! Your style rocks!

Anonymous said...

I love the dress.. I like taking chances on daring dresses.. funny that my personlity is kinda blah but my dresses are always full of some sort of color..

and I cannot wait to shop for BH..I keep saving all my pennies.. :)

Blessings From Above said...

I love the dress. The peachy color will look PERFECT with your skin-tone and hair.

Have a great time in Chicago!

Kat said...

That is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE color of all time. I have so many tops that color. I wanted my bridesmaid dresses to be that color but not everyone looks good in peach. LOVE IT!
Can't wait to see a pic of you in it! Great pick!

C♥ said...

Oh you totally have to post a picture of it :D

Elisa @ Globetrotting in Heels said...

I love that outfit!

I know what you mean though, the puffy thing between the sleeves and chest looks way better on a real person than on a mannequin.

We definitely want a picture, especially if you really pair it with those fab accessories and those absolutely to-die-for Laboutins :-)

Don Mills Diva said...

LOVE that dress.

Picture of you in the dress please.

Heather said...

I don't have dresses because I can never find the right shoes that I can actually wear all day long. Hubby would love if I wore dresses-he actually makes comments about it.

Tara R. said...

Jaw dropping is a good sign that you've found the right dress. I have to vote for a picture of you in it too.

Ali said...

i don't think i will ever be able to wear a dress that isn't black!

Indy said...

Can't wait to see the picture of the real thing! Guess I will see it in real life soon. :)

Courtney said...

I love it! How cute and very "not black!" Btw, I would've never guessed you were 31!

enthalpymama said...

Like the dress, although it is so formless that I am sure it looks cuter with your little behind in it. Can't wait to see it.

I do like that 50s housewife dress though . . . .

Miss Lisa said...

Isn't it the BEST to find THE dress! I know just how you are feeling--I am 5"2 so when I can find a dress that works for me, I wear the crap out of it too ;)
It's a great dress!

tiarastantrums said...

cute - LOVE those shoes the most!!

Kate Coveny Hood said...

I loved this. I have many a LBD myself. And often have to force myself out of my black & white funk.

carrie said...

Such a cute post! Love the dress!

Unknown said...

Saw the twitpic - it looks great on you!!

I am fan of the LBD myself but branching out is so much fun too! : )

Katie said...

Love the color of that dress, way to go getting out of your comfort zone!!

Karen MEG said...

I bet that colour looks FAB on you.
I love Max Studio and Anthropologie... I would soooo love to shop with you girl! You've got great taste... even all that black. I've got my own share of LBD's too.

And I am so impressed that you already have several events lined up for the dress. Now THAT is so practical AND classy :).

Melissa @ I Pick Pretty said...

My God, those shoes!!! I actually don't think it matters what else you wear, given those.

But yes, the dress is wonderful too; love the cut and color, both of which I could never pull off, but look great on you.

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Yay for no more black. However, I love all of the ones you put up.

I only own like 3 dresses total...I'm sure you would put my collection to shame!

And, I love the coral (I can't wear it at all, but I wish I could)...and just so we believe you that it is a beautiful as you say it is, you must take a picture of yourself in it!!!

Clare said...

oh, i love the dress!! so cute! the color is amazing, and i would think it fits like a dream!! XO, Clare

Anonymous said...

I love it! I want to get back into dresses too.I think you have impeccable taste. The husband factor is always the one that says that's it whether it be an outfit or dress or shoes. Yes, the husband always knows.

I cannot wait to see pics.

Noob Mommy said...

You look great in that twitpic! I cannot allow myself to go into Anthropologie. That place makes me shed tears everytime for lack of bursting wallet. Sigh...

Belinda said...

I love the dress and I am sure you look very good in it. Black is the color I am most comfortable with, but you have inspired me to try other colors as well. New year, new look, here I come!!

Unknown said...

Oh crap, we have to wear a dress at BlogHer??? I have so many dresses, but like you they are all black. Maybe you'll go shopping with me and we can try on some cute and sassy stuff!

Ashley said...

That's cute!

How far is where you live within Ohio from Western KY - because maybe we can go shopping together before BlogHer for a dress...I'll be coming out of maternity wear by then (hopefully) and will need something non teen vogue like...which pretty much sums up most of my dresses to date.

Unknown said...

I don't care if you wear sweat pants and a tank top under a hoodie. You'll still be classy. And if you go shopping in July, I'll go with you just to give you the 'male' point of view.

Lynn C Mama to 3 said...

That is a totally hideous picture of a dress I have seen in person and adore. I bet you look fab!

Val said...

I did leave a comment in twitter pics, but I will again here.
Love the dress!

Jessica said...

Oh Mommy, I have to say that I LOVE the new dress, especially with those accessories! I'm sure it looks awesome!

April said...

We will get to see pics of you IN the dress, right?

Anonymous said...

so cute!! love it!! i don't wear all black either. and i wear black...probably when i shouldn't...like at my 2nd wedding. but...i looked hawt!!
and you KNOW that when your husbands jaw drops...it's a keeper!!
yay!!
xo

Lisa said...

I love black too. And own way too much of it!
kudos on your new dress. post a picture of you looking fab in it?

Unknown said...

very cute!!! am sure you look very chic! will you be wearing snow pants with it? cause it IS supposed to be high of 25 this weekend in Chicago. although, the valet is complimentary...so i say GO FOR IT!

McMommy said...

Coral is a fantabulous color for brunettes! Especially if you have a tan...gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

I think it's very pretty! And love the color! It makes me think of spring. :-)

just jamie said...

Hawt!

Laski said...

So glad you are leading the charge of breaking a black trend. Someone needs to show how classy it can be to mix it up.

Good for you!

And saw the whole ensemble . . . you TOTALLY pull it off. Adore the shoes.

My feet will live vicariously through yours.

Anonymous said...

Now that I've gotten to the bottom of 97 comments ;-) LOl.

I love the black dress because it is so easy!! But kudos to you for jumping out of the doldrums and into some color.

That dress, I can see it being adorable. on you.

Because you are classy, darling and the accesorizing queen ;-)

MWAH! I can't wait until July!!

Anonymous said...

Way to break the color barrier. I am not as brave as you are. But, I love that you are out there and trying!

Crystal D said...

That dress is so awesome! I can totally see myself in it (right after I lose about 20lbs). I'd love to find something just like that for this summer with a little shorter sleeves, maybe in brown or blue-green?
It is very flattering on you!! Fantastic legs, boot camp was worth it. :)

Momo Fali said...

I love dress shopping. WAY more than jeans shopping. There is nothing better than finding the right dress. And, that one is right.

The Daily Stroll said...

Love the dress and of course I love the shoes!! It's going to look very cute! Max Studio and Anthropologie are two of my favorite stores!

Anonymous said...

I"m currently accepting applications for the position of Little Black Dress in my closet.

Let me know if any of the 17 of yours want to apply.

Jaina said...

I find myself getting blacks, browns and blues. Always boring. I'm trying to expand my wardrobe palette. But seriously? I need that little black dress. Maybe I'll look into that. I'm finally (at 23) coming into my own ideas of fashion and always being put together. I'm still happy in jeans and a tank top, but I'm putting a bit more effort into how I dress. We can probably credit the bf, because while he loves me whether I'm in diamonds or lounging in my pj's, I like to put a little more effort into it for him. (and for myself too!)

 

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