What happens when there is a hidden girly fashionista, without the budget and with too much pride to dress the part, with an event to go to that is formal-ish (at least as far as I’m concerned)?
She finds a dress for 14 bucks at a second-hand shop – a sleeveless, a-line black cocktail number, with faux tulle underskirting in ravishing red, boat-necked, that fits like a glove. Which will require a strapless bra to continue to fit like a glove, as opposed to its darts-popping-at-the-nipple-line potential.
That girl goes on a mission to the Downtown Vancouver bliss of three lingerie shops that carry her size, intent to buy the cheapest, most flattering thing possible – it’s hard chaining up stripper boobs inexpensively, you know?
But she gets distracted on the way by a yard sale, only four residential blocks from the closest bra boutique. A yard sale that calls to her from the other side of the street, causing her to backtrack in order to procure a Dream Item.
Dream Item: An article of clothing that is always coveted, but never procured due to lack of means (eg. it’s usually horrendously expensive), lack of availability (when’s the last time you saw a t-shirt cut, dirty-rinsed, drop waisted denim cat-suit, after all?), or lack of logic (no, I really don’t need a white, fitted, three-piece suit, nor have the means to clean and store it like it’d deserve).
Dream items never leave the eternal shopping list, an eye is always open for them and only rarely is one procured. They are the unicorn of wardrobes.
The fits-like-a-glove classy black number? Was vetoed as the Dream Item could be re-purposed for the event, and with some necessary shopping, create the Dream Ensemble.
Dream Ensemble: Outfit incorporating at least one Dream Item, that looks as good as you thought it would, the first time it was imagined.
A trip to American Eagle outfitters provided the other half necessary for the Dream Ensemble, though two other options could have substituted: a black, shiny-in-a-stunning-not-call-girl-way tube top or a backless halter.
Instead, this fashionista settled for a low-cut, casual-comfy-cotton summer halter, navy, with ropy ties around the neck (and a built in bra) – empire-waist-cut, this tank was too long and way too loose. The fix? A little knot tied in the back.
For a total of $25, she has a Dream Ensemble – the skirt was part of someone’s prom dress a decade ago and therefore $10; the top, on sale for $15. And she doesn’t even need to wear a bra, never mind buy one.
This fashionista is in Dream Ensemble heaven. Also? Girly heaven, as smoky purple eye makeup, cascading curls and pedicured toes are on the agenda, too.
If only another Dream Item would pop out of the ether in time for the event on Wednesday night: a light lavender, cropped-to-the-natural-waist, wrap-around cashmere sweater. You know, in case it gets cold.
