11.04.2010

An Outfit (Deconstructed) ...


You know this quote, yes?


"Distrust any enterprise that requires new clothes."

Henry David Thoreau


Well, I've never been able to quite get the hang of that one...

No, I pretty much always *think* I need new clothes. Especially when I'm going somewhere that feels a little "out of my wheelhouse", say...a special event, a somewhat fancy place, dinner with a group of people I've never met. The irony is that in most of those situations (especially that last one) all of my existing clothes would be perfectly acceptable, given no one in attendance would have ever seen any of them before. But I'm not exactly reasonable when it comes to pressure dressing.

The dress in these photos was a result of one of those semi-crazed, event driven, sartorial quests. We had a party to attend that was:
  • not in my wheelhouse
  • at a somewhat fancy place
  • and filled with people I'd never met before.

Clearly I needed something new to wear...

So I snapped up this number from Anthro, paired it with those Marni heels (which I had yet to wear) + a fun necklace and proceeded to the living room to hang with the girlies a bit before we had to leave. After about five minutes in the get-up, I decided I was uncomfortable, didn't feel like myself, and had to change immediately (never mind that we needed to leave for the event in approximately 2.5 minutes). So I ended up throwing on a black dress that I wear all the time (this one to be exact) and calling it a day. Upon returning to the living room, Audrey remarked that she liked my earlier outfit tons better, and when I asked her why, she said (and I quote), "it's more colorfulish and patterny and not so black."

Umm...ok. I still wore the black dress.

But I couldn't return the one from Anthro. I loved it. Love. I loved it's patterny-ness; I loved the quilted bodice; I loved the pockets. I just figured I needed to wear it under less pressure, to something low-key, no big thing. So a couple of months later (and in decidedly cooler weather) I tried again and threw it on for a date night with hubby. I dressed it down with tights and a cardi (which, for me, was the trick). And now, just like that, it's officially in the rotation.



The Details:

  • Dress -- Anthropologie
  • Necklace -- Urban Outfitters
  • Cardigan -- J Crew
  • Tights -- Wolford
  • Wedges -- Old Navy

19 comments:

Ana Degenaar said...

That dress is simply stunning! I love it!

karey m. said...

i don't like it. it's all colorfulish and patterny and not so black.

I KID! you're right...the cardi and tights turned it from new to you.

you should listen to little a. you just should. xoxo.

M said...

Umm...I am so copying you and getting that dress. you look H to the O to the T!!!
xo Molly

Lovin That! said...

I love that outfit!! Putting the tights with it is such a great idea. Thanks for posting...

ashley sullivan said...

i love it, joslyn! clearly, all you neded was to put your own twist on it!

stephanie. said...

i tried that dress on at anthro but didn't buy it. tying to be "good." but pockets. in a dress. i die. might have to be bad now. (i too do not do the patterny thing often unless it's stripes but this dress was a good call. try with a belt, that's how i tried it on. not that you need my advice. just stick with audrey's!) =)

Anonymous said...

I love this entire post. What a great dress! Also -- I am totally with you on the pressure dressing.

Modern Palm Boutique said...

Seriously fantastic dress, and you look great in it! Nice purchase. :)

Michelle said...

Ah, super cute! I love that necklace, and I bet that color looks fab on you.

Anonymous said...

What you said about pressure dressing was spot on! I always go back to what's comfortable and what works even after buying something new. No need to feel awkward in your clothes in a new/scary/intimidating/fill-in-the-blank situation! And for the record, that dress is unreal and you styled it perfectly!

Julia said...

Oh, I'm so glad you didn't return the dress-it's fantastic! I love it with those heels, especially!

Jessica said...

That is an adorable dress! It's true, the key is taking a piece and making it work for you. Brava, I think you a wonderful job!

B. Inspired. said...

Nice! Love the dress so much

bestie said...

love this story as i can totally totally relate!
can't believe those wedges are fro o navy. love em.

Anonymous said...

so great you get to fall in love with the dress all over again!

Suzanna S said...

You are killin' in this outfit!

Maria said...

you look great

http://design-elements-blog.com/

emma@themarionhousebook said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
emma@themarionhousebook said...

I love that this dress has pockets! It looks great on you. BTW - love your new header - simple and lovely!