Clothing NSV
I had to shop for a fancy dress for my husband's 25th reunion. I dread clothes shopping. Dread it and procrastinate on it and wait until the last moment when I'm extra stressed on top of KNOWING there will be nothing that I like or that fits or that isn't a flowered muumu (yes, I grew up with "fat lady shops" selling those things *shudder*).
So the day before the party I braced myself and went into Dress Barn Woman, fully expecting to find nothing I could wear, and with a mental list of the other fat lady shops in the area I might try. I could feel the anxiety rising as I went through the oretty casual clothes and nice work clothes, but none of them were fancy enough for what I wanted. I haven't bought a "cocktail" dress in... um.. ever!
Then I saw them. Hanging on the back wall were a selection of lovely sheath dresses. Most had ruffles (my first reaction was NO WAY) but they weren't obnoxious. I figured I might as well give them a try.
I pulled two off the hook, revealing a lovely slinky black dress underneath. It was just the sort of swishy, feminine dress I wanted. At a 24 I figured it MIGHT fit, but would probably emphasize my drooping tummy too much. I took it in the dressing room anyway. Since it was the one I really wanted, I waited to try it on last.
The first two were okay. They actually fit and the ruffles worked with my body, not against it. Surprise number one.
I finally tried on the black number. Wow. It covered my belly. It didn't emphasize my thighs. Yet it still showed my curves.
But you know what? It didn't fit well in the bosom. For that kind of money I wanted a better fitting bosom. But the clerk said they didn't have it in 22. Only 20. With a sigh, figuring I'd end up with the droopy 24, I tried on the 20.
It was perfect!!
I haven't worn a 20 dress in... well.. probably a good 30 years. Granted, I'm sure part of that is the much-bemoaned "vanity sizing" I hear about in these forums. (I don't buy clothes often enough to notice) But I'll take it!
Had a great time at the reunion, felt wonderful and sexy, and am looking forward to wearing the dress for Christmas parties this year.
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