A New Dress
I live in an enchanting little village. But for years and years, I was never able to know it well. Now that has changed and I have time to take my solitary daily ramble through this ancient former seaport and get acquainted.
On one such stroll last week, I stopped before the above shop window…or rather, I stopped before the above dress. Even my picture doesn’t do it complete justice. Its navy and green plume pattern was not the only thing that caught my eye. It was also the gorgeous fabric (lined, I might add), and the styling. They are finally making dresses for me!
Knowing that the shop was new and expensive, I played it cool. Not yet knowing what the frock cost and like a stealthy cat that has spotted its prey, I cased the joint until I reached the window. I should also say I found many other fine things on my perambulation. Beautiful, colorful things made for a woman my age who still cares about fashion.
The dress tag told me all I needed to know…it would not be mine. But even up close, it was pretty and fresh and since I already imagined it on my body at the Thanksgiving table, I was disappointed. Just then, a woman came into the shop and breathlessly asked to try on the dress. She said she saw it from the street, loved it, and although her mother was waiting in the car and she was double-parked, she knew she had to see how it looked on her. And she bought it. And it looked lovely on her. And it happened fast.
Days later, on a whim, I called the shop and asked for the name of the maker of the dress. A quick internet search and I found it on the designer’s website. Now it was on sale. After signing up for emails, I received another nice discount. I ordered it and rejoiced.
My new frock came in just one day. Except for a few wrinkles and the fact that the shell button at the collar was broken into shards, I tried it on immediately. Now I noted the discreet and forgiving small elastic bands at the back of the waist. The slightly puffed sleeves, the elegance of the fully lined skirt which lends an air of carefree insouciance. My new frock is a blithe spirit…a lovely inconsequence. And it has a charming name – The Damsel.
Today, hemmed by my own hand and hanging from the bedroom door, I smile each I time I float by it. It mirrors my current reading as I prepare a new book review. Dr. Ingrid Mida’s “Reading Fashion in Art” tells me that dress and fashion are essential to understanding art. I didn’t just buy a pretty dress, I bought a Master’s still life painting – a garment that has engaged my senses, especially for someone who hasn’t had many dresses. The tactile qualities, the colorful pattern, the flow and fit excite me. Only once in a while does one find such a garment – a dress that ticks off all the boxes.
What have been your favorite dresses?
5 Comments
Debra M Rodgers
I had a beautiful dress in high school- empire waisted trurquoise and green paisley swirls in thin wool material. The paisely colors were set against a beautiful creamy ivory and I wore round toe ivory wedge suede shoes with ankle straps. I loved it and wore it only on a certain day of the week when I would walk by the open door of the classroom that contained my crush, who usually sat in the front row. Week after week I sauntered by the doorway nonchalantly until the week my ankle strap loosened and I fell outside the door in front of the fully attended class. I wish the story ended with my crush jumping to his feet to lift me in his arms and to assure himself that I survived the fall. But, sigh, I heard laughter, and his bellowed loudest.
Tracy H
Do skirts count? I can imagine you would think so.
My grey, leaning towards slate, lined, gusseted, shin length, tulip flared hem skirt is a favorite. I think it is gabardine.
It gently floats around my every step. I feel like a Victorian lady whenever I wear it.
The color allows me to wear almost any non -neutral color with it.
My black equestrian boots add solemnity to the overall look.
Best of all, a thrift store steal.
Ann
What a beautiful dress! So glad you were able to get one. Love the colors. The dress I loved was one I made back in the 1977 to take on my honeymoon. It was a shade of blue and it was a pattern that fit like a dream. I did wear it on our honeymoon ( I made it because when shopping for a dress for our trip to NYC I really wanted on I found that seemed to have the bottom made out of silk scarve and they hung to points at the hem. At only 5 feet tall it dragged on the floor and I remember my mother saying there was NO WAY to hem it) and for years later. A fond memory is my husband calling from work one day and saying “put that pretty blue dress on and let’s go out to dinner tonight!”
A Lovely Inconsequence
I just love that Ann!
Karen
What a beautiful dress! I love your description of stalking it like a cat–that’s how it feels sometimes isn’t it? When we’re creeping up on truly beautiful things and we don’t want to spook them or ourselves! My favorite dress was one in high school that mirrored the 1970s affection for all things 1940s! The Pointer Sisters were en vogue right then, and there was an upsurge in interest in World War II movies that I adored. That sweet little dress looked like something Ginger Rogers might’ve worn when she was dancing with Fred Astaire! It was deep navy blue, had ivory collar and cuffs, and had just enough 1940s swing to it to make a lovely movement when I walked. I wore it with cork-soled 1940 style wedgies, platform shoes in navy blue suede, and I felt like a million bucks! I can’t remember ever feeling more feminine and flirty and frisky than I did in that dress.