My Favorite Dress

I've never really understood the idea that being an "outfit repeater" is a bad thing. I mean, most of the time, clothes are made out of fabric, not paper, so ideally they are meant to be used many, many times. In reality, everyone is going to repeat outfits. Few of us could afford a new dress for every event.

Besides (and this probably isn't a good thing) I tend to love my clothes. As in, I get emotionally attached to my clothes. When I gaze into my color-coordinated closet, I remember all the shopping trips I've gone on, the specific stores where I've bought specific articles of clothing, and all the fun events and trips I've worn different outfits on. It kind of helps that I've basically worn approximately the same size of clothes since I was 12. Yep, I still have at least one pair of pants that I bought when I was 12. They're the only black pants I own. I might have to get some more someday if I ever intend on growing up. T-shirts and jeans tend to get worn out or stretched out before I can develop too strong of a relationship with them, but dresses last me for years and years--probably because they don't take nearly the knocking that a practical pair of jeans does.

There's one dress I'm especially fond of, one that I've "repeated" many a time.

The year was 2007, and I was walking around a mall with my Mom. We walked by a shop we'd never gone in before, passed it, and were nearly at the escalator to move on to the next floor when we both looked at each other. "We have to go back!" I said.

You see, we'd both spotted this dress in the window of the store. I had immediately thought it was the perfect dress for me; I'd never seen anything quite like it. Mom saw it and had the same thought--that it was the perfect dress for me. I went in, tried it on, and loved it. Sometimes it doesn't take long at all to build a relationship--when you know, you know. Now that's love at first sight.

 At my 18th Birthday party, with my cute cute baby sister sneaking in because she loves having her picture taken!

It's one of the more expensive dresses I've bought. I'm thinking it was around $50. I loved it when I bought it, and I still love it now. I know my dress won't last forever. I'm either going to outgrow it or it'll fall apart. But I'm happy that Mom and I stopped that day, that we followed our instincts and got the dress. This is why my main rule for clothes shopping is: If you don't buy it (dress/skirt/shoe/jeans), will you regret it for the rest of your life? If you won't regret it, don't bother buying it. But if you will, you better buy it.

Seriously, that's my shopping rule. My husband shares it too. A little dramatic, perhaps? Yes, but I'm pretty sure that in most situations, it saves money, which is always a good thing. After all, how many times can you honestly say that you'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't buy a certain article of clothing? For me, probably once every couple months.

 At church when I was in high school. I so do not look like I want my picture taken, but at least sister Anna is smiling!

Angel's graduation. We weren't a couple here, by the way. Just friends. My Mom thinks that we look like a couple here.

 We were a couple here. Last week's date to see "The Screwtape Letters."