Finally - this year's Dress Saga. As I've mentioned previously, this year was my 8 yr old's First Holy Communion, which, as the Catholics amongst us are aware, is a very big deal. Obviously the biggest thing (after the holy aspect....) is The Dress. For her (again obviously.) This took precisely 10 mins. She tried on two dresses in Monsoon and proclaimed that she had found her perfect dress. As I had anticipated her choice being more along a Big Fat Gypsy Wedding type theme, I was beyond thrilled and ran like a gazelle to the cash desk to buy it before she changed her mind. Even the shoes were easy (thank you Next - the perfect silk ballet pump with tiny ankle strap and corsage detail on the shoe - just perfect).
My outfit unfortunately wasn't as straightforward. To put it mildly. I had set myself a ridiculous task of wanting to find one that that would fit a foolishly wide remit - from the First Holy Communion, to a posh birthday dinner both here and in Italy in September and to wear for a girls night out in Marbella. Oh foolish indeed. Especially, as if a client had suggested this, I would have talked them down from the ledge and pointed out the ludicrousy of their quest.
So here we have the rather hilarious photo story (as I totally lost my mind part way through....the point where, with dresses, I couldn't see the wood for the trees).
To prove how demented the whole facade made me, you can see I have no make up, no tan and basically I look like a pile of poo. Enjoy.
Starting with a Raoul dress from My Wardrobe. I had been seduced by this in navy but globally it had sold out in my size (obsessed, much?). But I tracked down the same shape in a floral print. Now honestly, honestly this is a billion times nicer in real life.
However the shape didn't quite work for me...... Basically the waist was just slightly too high on the size that fitted (and it was too short). The bigger size was better, being longer in the body and longer in length. But then too big on the waist. And yes, I could have had it altered, but I didn't love it enough for full price.
It's now been reduced though... (half price!) I won't lie, I am tempted. (it's the pockets - they get me every time. oooh and it goes in the washing machine..) This is the pic of me in the worst possible light ever.
NO MAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A stunning dress. Just not on me. Talk about not doing a dress justice. Apologies to Hobbs as it really is a gorgeous dress. (completely wrong shoes of course)
Never one to take the hint, I persisted in my love of all things prom (really - why?!) and actually bought this navy organza a-line dress from Cos and for a while, this was going to be The Dress. But the 12 was just that tiny bit too snug and the 14 was too big. Plus it was short. And I got spooked by it being so short and so tight. (round the waist - pass out tight if you sit down. Nah. Not worth it). I had thought with my tan LK Bennett shoots and tan McQueen clutch though, it would look ok.
Now if it hadn't been bonkers beforehand, here's where I started to lose my mojo somewhat.
Starting with a dress from Phase Eight (no not my usual stomping ground but every now and again there is a gem to be had).
Note to self. Do not be seduced by advertising. Ever.
So admittedly I could done with a smaller size but still.... Yeah. I so so wanted to love it.
Moving swiftly on to something not much better at all. Another lesson learnt. At 40, a skintight bright bubblegum dress is not a good idea. Even if it is By Malene Birger. What on earth was I thinking? Still, comedy photo opportunity.
Finally however, I did find one that I loved. From Whistles - the Jocelyn Safari Leopard Print dress. Now the Law of Sod says of course that this is the only one that now isn't in the sale. The one that I'd buy. That'd be right. I would still be so tempted to get it if I could snag a bargain.
In the end I decided against it as a) I had bought my Burberry ensemble which would serve for the Birthday nights out and Marbella (and a number of other smart nights out I have this summer - well, the two of them) and b) I had discovered a rather ancient chocolate brown silk Whistles dress lurking in the depths of my wardrobe. 12 years old (I should probably term it Vintage as opposed to Ancient, should I?)
With new snakeskin shoes kindly given to me by one of my besties who didn't want them anymore (I am beyond thrilled with them!), a Stella & Dot Tempest necklace, a Michael Kors snakeskin bag (which doesn't exactly match the shoes but if they're not next to each other, it really doesn't matter), a Forever 21 bracelet bought for the Christmas dos and a cream and gold jacket from Zara which has done two weddings, numerous nights out and now a First Holy Communion.
So here is the final outfit which, I have to say, I was very pleased with. Considering I didn't spend a penny on it (which is handy, considering how much the Burberry stuff cost......)
And here we have one of my angel. I have honestly never been so proud in my life! Check out the magnetic cross earrings. Thank you Claires. I am Mother of the Year for letting her wear them (seeing as I won't let her get her ears pierced, these are the next best thing). We had simply the most amazing party ever. I am actually rather excited about doing it all again in two years time...(will I have learnt from my mistakes this time round? Will I heck as like)
So after an exhausting weekend, this is what I wore today, working all day.
Leopard print silk top - Zara
Indigo straight leg jeans turned up - Jigsaw
Camel knitted blazer - Whistles
Patent and suede ballet flats - Banana Republic
Stone maxi zip cross body bag - Anya Hindmarch
Tomorrow I shall be back, compiling my Sales Wish list. Hey ho. The Sales.... are they actually worth it?
Love this and so pleased you finally had a great day and looked amazing!
ReplyDeleteSee you Friday!
Thank you and yes I can't wait!
DeleteBrilliant!! Love your final outfit choice and you and your daughter look gorgeous x
ReplyDeleteThank you xxxx
Deleteyou look fab, your wee angel is beautiful - love her hair
ReplyDeleteHer hair truly was fabulous. Great great job from Jonathan at Daniel Jordan London in Sevenoaks. She was so thrilled!
DeleteI remember a similar dress saga (mine not hers) at my daughter's FHC 4 years ago! You both look beautiful xxx
ReplyDeleteThank heavens it's not just me....! And I've got to through it all again in two years. Gah.
DeleteI really think you cracked it with your' final outfit. You and your' daughter look lovely. You do make me laugh, and you do look quite fraught during your' quest. The holy grail may have been a less traumatic project. X
ReplyDeleteThank you. And yes, I was So. Over. It.!! I should just every Whistles dress that suits me as they're so worth it. x
DeleteLovely outfit and what a bonus - you can save your pennies for the NAP sale. You both look gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteMaybe had I not had my Bicester splurge........ Spent rather more than I had a) anticipated or b) had!
DeleteYou both look beautiful! love the final outfit much much better than any of the ones you tried.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I was so so pleased with it and so pleased I kept it!
DeleteYour daughter is adorable, and the photo with the jeans down around the legs made me giggle! I thought you were wearing boots for a second!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't everyone do that?! No boots, I classily had my jeans shoved down round my ankles. As you do.!
DeleteI love the outfit. It is great to be able to revamp something that you already own. The chocolate dress is a real classic, lovely shape on you.
ReplyDeleteI recently revamped a stunning raspberry suit from 9 years ago, with new sparkling shoes it felt great. And when something is that old you feel pleased that it still fits!
Oh that's so so true. So pleased with the dress - it has served me well over the years. x
DeleteLove the COS dress, such a shame it was too uncomfortable. It looked better on you than on their website model. The whistles dress is gorgeous too. I've been lusting after their Bella dress which is very similar. Great to see you choosing age appropriate clothes, the wedge trainers, harem trousers and those creased linen cargoes are not so flattering though.
ReplyDeleteI love all Whistles dresses - although some do fit me better than others. Do love my casual stuff too as well though! Would be such a dull world if we all loved the same things xxxx
DeleteV entertaining! Glad all worked out in the end!
ReplyDeleteIt did indeed! xxx
DeleteProof you should never get rid of dresses if you have the room! You look great and your little daughter is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteSooooo true!!
DeleteReally lovely outfit....never been to a HC but it looks just perfect!! You have totally inspired me to take stock of what's already in my wardrobe instead of dashing off to make any new purchases!! Thanking you kindly...you may have just saved me a fortune!!
ReplyDeleteOh excellent!! Everyone has some beauties in their wardrobe which they could make great use out of. x
DeleteGorgeous, the pair of you! Love your Monday outfit and your final outfit. Happened to me recently desperately trying to find "the" perfect dress and it was already hanging in my wardrobe, so very satisfying - in the end!
ReplyDeleteEmma
Very satisfying indeed!
DeleteNot a dry eye in the house (I honestly cried! - age and hormones getting better of me.) You both look beautiful. XXX
ReplyDeleteoh thank you xxxxxxxx
DeleteYou both looked beautiful on the day. Picked a perfect outfit hope you enjoyed it all its a lovely day to remember
ReplyDeleteJane
It was honestly the best day ever, can't wait for the next one! Two years to go.......
DeleteYou both looked beautiful, if I had had girls I would be bankrupt!
ReplyDeleteNot when they have their own opinion and don't like anything you like........!!!!
DeleteYour final outfit is stunning! I love it! Your daughter looks gorgeous too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I was so so pleased with it. x
DeleteOh how lovely your daughter looks I also bought my daughters dress in monsoon I think their dresses are simple and elegant and thankfully not overly fussy and ornate. I do laugh at the earrings when my daughter was four i said you can have earrings when you are 10 thinking it was ages away suddenly she was 10 I had to keep my word. Love your dress
ReplyDeleteThey really are great, aren't they. Perfectly pitched and priced. And yes, my daughter is obsessed with having her ears pierced. We've said when she's 11.... She tries it on all the time though. GAH!
DeleteYou both look stunning the brown silk dress totally the best btw wish I looked that good with no makeup!
ReplyDeleteThank you - I certainly preferred it to all the ones I tried on bar the Whistles one. Honestly, close up without make up, it's rather frightening!!
DeleteYou look amazing! It was the perfect outfit & even better for being recycled too! I wish my Bestie would give me some fab shoes! Lol! I'm super impressed with the ear piercing too as I'm not allowing my daughter to do it yet either! Congratulations to you all! Ax
ReplyDelete