My main fear is that I won't be able to find a dress this week, partly because I don't have the time to dedicate to shopping and partly because I don't want to spend lots of money on a dress I am not completely happy with and will get minimal usage out of, genuine Black Tie is not that common a dress code these days! So... I do have a dress that I love, albeit one that I have got a fair bit of mileage out of already though, well for a floor length gown! Bridesmaid at one wedding, guest at another and a St Vincent's Gala Ball a few years ago. So my dilemma is, is it okay to wear the dress again next weekend? There will be a few people that attended the St Vincent's Ball that will also be at this one, including colleagues of my husbands.
This is the dress in question. I just took it out of the box so ignore all the creases!
This is what it looks like on.
This photo was taken at the Wedding but I wore it with the same wrap to the Gala Ball and wore my hair up in a similar style. Low bun, sort of messy and slightly to the right as the dress ties around the neck on the left. Do you think if I change the wrap and do something a bit different with my hair I can get away with it? There is a 2 year gap between wearings as well! Or should I milk this for all it's worth and go and buy something new? I know, first world problems and all but would love to know all your thoughts!
wear it again, its perfect! wear your hair in a different up do - high, and shout yourself a new pair of fabulous chandeleir dangly earrings to change the look...or maybe even get a different coloured belt, jewelled perhaps. Still won't cost you as much as a new formal evening dress but are accessories you can use again with other outfits.
ReplyDeleteSharon pretty much said everything I was going to say ;o)
ReplyDeleteThe other thing that's popular at the moment is long black or blush beige maxi skirts
that skim the floor. That way you won't need new shoes. You look lovely and tall so you could get away
it and it's something you could mix and match with a different top for other occasions......so not a one off purchase hopefully ;o)
Tania xx
What a gorgeous dress and you have definitely got the bod to pull it off! If you have time for a quick browse round the shops and see something you like it is always nice to have something new in the wardrobe but if you can't just change the accessories & hair and wear the dress again xx
ReplyDeleteIt is a gorgeous, classic dress and you look stunning in it. You obviously feel confident and comfortable in it also so you can def wear it again! It's not like you wear it weekly and with a different do, shoes and jewels you will rock it all over again! :) xxx
ReplyDeleteEmma, that is a divine gown. I am a big fan of Collette Dinnigan's work, she really knows how to make a stunning frock. I agree with accessorising it to create a new look......chandelier earrings, different hairdo and maybe a new wrap if you can find something in time. You will look gorgeous! Rx
ReplyDeleteMy ears aren't pierced, sob. I must do something about that soon! Am off to Chatswood Chase tomorrow to (hopefully) find a new wrap. x
DeleteYES! It's Gorgeous! I know an up-style would probably suit better with the style of the dress but I'd love to see your hair down or in a kinda messy low side ponytail style. Hope we get to see an 'after' pic. Mel x
ReplyDeleteThanks Mel for the hair advice, I am definitely going to do this!! I will do an after pic! xx
DeleteEmma this dress is stunning on you, such a beautiful colour. I think that you could easily get away with wearing this again and if you want to change it up maybe buy a few little accessories. xx
ReplyDeleteOh yes, wear it! Hair down, some kind of vintages floral wrap maybe in reds? Have a glorious time! :) sarah
ReplyDeleteThat dress is beautiful, you should wear it any opportunity you get! It would look fab with your hair kind of wavy with a plait going from one side on the front across to the other like the girl below no. 5 on this page:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.examiner.com/article/celebrity-trend-how-to-make-a-french-braid-headband
I wish I could do that with my hair!!!!! I have printed the photo off to show the hairdresser on Sat. I am thinking I will try something similar with the low side messy pony tail that Mel suggested! x
DeleteAs everyone else says, wear it but buy some different accessories- I like the pretty earrings, totally different hair do and the idea of a vintage floral wrap. I bet most people won't even remember what you wore to the ball two years ago!
ReplyDeleteOh Em, you darling girl. Yep, wear it again. And what Romy says! J x
ReplyDeleteOh I love the dress, it is beautiful!!! If you wear your hair out, I would totally rock it out with an really eye-catching neck plate necklace or a massive bracelet as ear-rings will get lost.
ReplyDeleteShopping tip - to re-style a dress quickly, I've gone back to where I've bought it and asked for advice on accessories etc. If you can run into the CD store, they have been awesome for me in the past. Even the personal shopper in the big department stores have been fab when you are short of time and often it works out that they are free when you factor in price of shoes, jewellery etc. Bring on the after pics!
I never thought of going back into Collette Dinnigan!!! Such a good idea and I will definitely remember to do it in future. x
DeleteI think that dress is absolutely stunning and you could always change it a wee bit. What about a black velvet belt type arrangement with a black furry wrap/stole thingy? I think it is fine to wear something people have seen before regardless.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, if it was me I would buy a new dress. Not because what you have isn't gorgeous but because I just like buying new dresses!! Plus we seem to have a black tie function at least once or twice a year so I do get some wear out of my frocks....!
Hope all is well in your world Emma. I am certain you will look beautiful in whatever you choose to wear.
A friend who reads the blog suggested a fur stole as well! We have two regular black tie functions every year but the same people are at them every year so it is kind of hard to recycle the dresses!!! Hopefully no one will remember this one from a few years ago!! x
DeleteNo need to buy a new dress Emma, I often recycle my formal gowns every couple of times I go to such a function and just change accessories and hair. I would wear my hair out, in the style of Kate Middleton, with curls at the end of the hair or the way she wore it to her wedding (I think they called the half up-do). Wear silver sandals with sparkles and chandelier diamond earings and a black warp or fake fur jacket. Have a great time at ball.
ReplyDeleteEngracia
Thank you for reassuring me that it is ok to recycle!!! Am wearing silver sandals! xx
DeleteThe dress is lovely! Wear it again and again...
ReplyDeleteSTUNNING dress!! Definitely wear it again!! What a beautiful colour, style and fabric. If you want a new look, I agree with the others above that with a different hair-do or wrap you can change things a bit. Be sure to take a photo... I know you'll look gorgeous!! x
ReplyDeleteLove the dress. Looks like a 30s night club number on you. Gorgeous. If you love it wear it. Did you?
ReplyDeleteCatolyn