The quest for the perfect dress.

That doesn't cost £295.  Yes folks, I'm talking about the Rixo silk off the shoulder dress which I have become mildly (my husband knows that I have a different version of *mildly* to everyone else) obsessed with. 

Now I have managed to track down aforementioned, exceptionally rare and sold out bar two places, dress.  But Mrs Sensible head is kicking in and I'm not sure I can spend that much on a dress that I will wear a handful of times - it's dry clean only and I KNOW I say I'd wash it but do I want to wash a £300 dress that tells me to dry clean it?  I am way too much of a chicken.  But I do soooooooo want it.

However - can I find something similar?  Of course it's not going to be the same but at least I should try.  (and then cave and buy it.... ssssssshhhhh). 

But some lovely person on Instagram said they got one similar from Boohoo.  Ok hands up who's never looked at Boohoo?  That'll be me.

Does it sound rather random to say it looks too cheap?  Not as in the stuff looks cheap but the prices do?  Which is bonkers as some of the stuff you get in Primark, is easily as good as that which you can get elsewhere on the High Street for three times the cost.   So it shouldn't "always" be about the money.

However Boohoo seems to make Primark look dear... (sounding like my mum..).  But never let it be said I look a gifthorse in the mouth and these dresses seem just that - a gifthorse (or too good to be true?). 

I fear my expectations may be slightly higher than they should be...

However I've ordered and they will be here tomorrow.   What have you ordered, I hear you cry?  

The fact that in my head this is going to be unswervingly similar to the Rixo Issy dress mean it's only going to end in tears.

Bea Woven Floral Off the Shoulder dress £20

Can I just remind you of the dress I'm trying to emulate??




Seeing as I didn't know what size I was and so ordered the Medium and the Large and will have to send (at least) one back, I thought I should get it in the pink as well... 

Pink version again £20



Then I got completely carried away as I looked at too many and they all started to merge into one so I thought I had better order the black one as well.  Was slightly perturbed at reading that there is apparently a "thigh high split" on this one.  Which I can't see.  It doesn't entirely bode well though... Actually I think they're describing a different dress now that I read it in more detail.  This is what it says in the description:-

Move over minis, we’re all about entrance-making maxi dresses this season. The seasonless style looks effortless for every day in easy-to-wear jersey, toughened up with tread boots. Upgrade for nights out with a figure-skimming fit and thigh high split and take this slinky dress to the dance floor.

Either I'm going to not get this dress below or they've got their description wrong...

Ella Off the Shoulder Dress £20



So before I went mad and got completely carried away, I checked out and have them being delivered tomorrow.   I will, of course, be reporting back... (if you do go and have a look on Boohoo - be warned.  A LOT of it you will not want to be wearing... but I reckon there is the odd gem... maybe).

However by now I was convinced an off the shoulder dress was a Must Have for the Summer (even though I have yet to wear my Warehouse off the shoulder blouse...).  Someone said to me today that they'd heard there was a three month heatwave on the way and it was predicted to be hotter than the Summer of 76 (I was 3 - I do not recall this alleged phenomenon). 

You don't have to tell me twice - let the Summer dress shopping commence (although seeing as this news was probably from the Daily Express and they predict this without fail every year and in living memory it's never happened, I shall probably be sticking with my £20 Boohoo number.  I shouldn't be so attached to this before it arrives, should I?)

Although... HOW gorgeous is this one from ASOS?  Pink birds...I love it.  I would be Margot in this.  Please someone tell me they've tried it and it's rankola.

ASOS Printed Ruffle and tiered off shoulder Dress £65



Red Floral Print at River Island £35 although I'm not sure about the waist on this.. 




And one you could wear a bra with now.  WHOOP. 

Influence Printed Bardot Maxi Dress was £43 now £25



Plain but maxi still although in a nude which is a punchy colour in my book.  I love it but not entirely sure it would love me back... 

ASOS Ruffle and Tiered Off Shoulder maxi dress in nude £60



Plain now but moving into shorter territory - Just Female Sorta Off Shoulder Dress in Black £138



ASOS Tiered Cold Shoulder Dress £30  And two more you can wear bras with - these are my favourite type - I may have to get the navy and to hell with the knees.  Actually scrap that.  This model is 5ft6.  Dear lord, on me it would be more than a tad fanny flashing.  No.  Just no.




Or in the white... I think this would be voluminous enough not to be see through... 



And I actually want to be short enough to wear this.  If you're not tall please please buy this.

ASOS Denim Embroidered Dress in black £50