As most of my close friends know, I have been on a mission to find the perfect dress for a few years now. And I am picky... oh so picky. I have all these demands... perfect shape (fitted bodice, please!), perfect colors (I'm sorry, I don't do certain colors no matter what), right pattern (why are all the good dress shapes floral... WHY?????), and a look that could simultaneously pass for quaint and old fashioned as well as punk rock.
When I was in London, I went into a Topshop and saw it... THE dress. It was a halter type, it was fitted, it had a perfectly flared out skirt, it was navy with white polka dots. It was like something out of another decade, and yet had that edge to it that would perfectly complement my punk rock side. Problem: there was only one in the whole store. In a UK size S (about a US XS, unfortunately)... ordinarily, I would've tried it, but this one was so specific with the proportions, down to the underbust seam, that it was a lost cause as soon as I held it up to me... the bust would never have contained my generously sized chest. Disappointed, I made it my mission to find the perfect dress.
And last week at Target, I did. But only in a XL and a XXL. WHAT???? So, I waited a couple days, went back to see if they'd gotten any more in. Now they were just down to the XXL. I asked an employee if they could find any somewhere else, hopefully in an M. There was ONE STORE that did... and they'd just sold their last two. Apparently, my quest for the perfect dress had gotten this lady really frustrated that she couldn't help me more, and somehow, she unearthed the least likely thing to ever fit me from the back room... the same dress in an XS. I figured... hell, I've got nothing to lose by trying it. Aaaand, thanks the large elastic panel on the back, the XS fit PERFECTLY. Miraculously, even. The fitted shape was created by corset wiring, so no awkward seams to maneuver around my boobs, just some rebending of the wires to get everything in place.
I've never been so pleased with one dress.
And here it is...
For those who like the shape and aren't nearly as pattern picky as I am, this same dress is still available in a variety of florals at Target for $25.
I also found another adorable dress at Nordstrom the very next day, which will be featured just as soon as I find the perfect time to wear it. While it was not quite as much of THE DRESS I'VE BEEN DYING FOR, it is also pretty freaking perfect, and it has its share of vintage style.
