So at the Goodwill today, I found a dress that I would have worn the hell out of in the late 80s and early 1990s.
It was long, nearly ankle-length, light brown with a small repeating vaguely floral pattern in dusty rose. The sleeves hit just short of the elbow. It had a gigantic, amusingly shaped collar, an empire waist, and three deliberately mismatched buttons. It was Quirky; sort of Funky Laura Ashley.
I pulled it off the hanger and thought, “I have to try this on.” I knew it in no way resembled anything I have worn successfully in over a decade, but it was so reminiscent of a particular version of femmey style that I used to try to pull off that I couldn’t not take it to the dressing room. (Did I mention the dress was handmade? Well-made, too.)
And swear to god, standing in front of the mirror with it on was like visiting an earlier version of myself.
I still didn’t buy it, but it was a weird little melancholy moment.
sdn
March 25, 2007 at 5:25 pmhow much was it? would it fit me? if it would and it’s affordable, buy it and i’ll wear it at ALA.
thisisnotanlj
March 25, 2007 at 6:09 pmdang. it was certainly cheap, and i think it would’ve fit (though i don’t know that you would’ve liked the pattern) — but it’s at a goodwill that is a long ways away.
newport2newport
March 25, 2007 at 7:50 pmI saw a picture of myself in a granny dress this weekend. Now *that’s* going a l-o-n-g way back!
Did I really wear that high-collared, ankle-length black dress with pearl buttons down the front and large splashes of colorful flowers? *shudders to think*
kiramekihoshi
March 25, 2007 at 9:06 pmFunny what you can find at Goodwill.. ^-^
dirtylibrarian
March 25, 2007 at 11:02 pmI often have this experience at thrift stores…”oh that is perfect!” for me at 24, or 16, or some other not now.
Truthfully, I just haven’t had as much fun thrifting lately. Our trip to Olympia was great, but I haven’t worn half of the clothes. And going by myself used to be fun, but now I’m getting to the point where I don’t want to bother without company.
I hate to think I might be outgrowing it. It has been such a big part of my identity for so long!
sirspamdalot
March 26, 2007 at 3:42 amOh c’mon! If Steve can wear a calf-length black leather Matrix coat, you can dress like a Disney heroine. GO BACK AND BUY THAT DRESS!