Sunday, October 12, 2008

I think the phrase you're looking for is "timeless elegance"

My parents are awesome when it comes to keeping mementos from our childhood. I still have old school newsletters, my Little People house, and countless photos. Oh, and let’s not forget my poetry. So I guess it shouldn’t have come as a surprise when my mom reintroduced into my life my absolute favorite dress from my pre-teen years. I couldn’t believe that it had lasted. I mean, it’s abjectly hideous and all, but still! I had so many good memories of wearing it when I was younger. But...my god, look at it! Puffed sleeves! Floral/lace motif! Horrible sailor collar! A SASH, for the love of cheese!

Naturally, I needed to see if it still fit.

It did!

This dress is made for curtsying, no? It makes me feel like a lady. Please note my dainty curtsy pinky.

It's also perfect for makin' with the finger guns.

And impersonating Geena Davis in Beetlejuice.

J was understandably horrified, and that sentiment only grew when I kept the dress on for over an hour (it was COMFY, dammit), and then mulled aloud about wearing it outside of the house, just to see what happened. You'll be relieved to know I decided against it, because I love him (and, you know, my dignity). But people, I tell you this: I am keeping it around, because one day, my kids are going to complain about some trifling way in which I embarrass them, perhaps hugging them in public, or maybe acknowledging their existence in front of their friends. And when they do? THIS DRESS IS GOING ON WHEN I WALK THEM TO THE BUS STOP. Then they'll know what embarrassment truly is. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't gleefully waiting for that day.

28 comments:

Janssen said...

Wow, what an . . .awesome dress. I'd mock it more except that I clearly remember having three or four just like it.

Jill - GlossyVeneer said...

Because posting photos of yourself in the dress on the internet is totally the way to keep your dignity as opposed to wearing it outside. ;-)

kerrianne.org said...

I was jut thinking that it reminded me of the dress on Beetlejuice! Awesome. Beetlejuice meets Little House on the Prairie. Which is so perfectly 1992.

AnnieM said...

I only have one thing to say...How in the hell can you still fit in a dress from your pre-teen years? Just totally jealous of that fact alone; I'd never take the dress off!

SLynnRo said...

You do not disappoint. I think with the right accessories, you could really make it work.

Mandee - I Think You Should said...

After 8 moves (on my parents' part alone) and about 50 pounds, there is no way I could fit into my pre-teen clothes. But, I can assure you that I had some similar get ups and we were cute back then. Me, especially with my permed bangs. Good times.

Ali said...

officially my favorite post EVER.

also? i had the identical dress. also? i will be combing through my mother's house the next time i'm there for embarrassing-my-chidren treasures to sport!

Jennifer said...

Um you are EVIL that you still fit in a dress from your pre-teen years. GAH! ;)

flurrious said...

How pre-teen are we talking here? Because if it's age 8, then that's weird, but if it's age 12, then it's more understandable, but also I hate you. And why does that dress not look worse on you? On the hanger, it's hideous, but when you put it on, it's, well, less hideous. It gives you a Bree Van de Kamp vibe.

chris said...

So so funny. All my teen and pre-teen clothes are long gone. But I remember owning way too many Gunne Sax dresses.

Stefanie said...

So, correct me if my math is wrong, but are you telling us that you still fit comfortably into a dress you wore when you were TWELVE?

I would hate you, if you weren't so charming and adorable.

Megan said...

I can't even begin to think about the floral pattern and lace sash, YOU CAN STILL WEAR A DRESS FROM PRETEEN YEARS AFTER TWO KIDS? I am sorry I yelled there. I am just in shock. And I am jealous. Holy cow woman!

gorillabuns said...

Is it strange for me to say, you can still rock the dress? like wear it for reals?

just no Leggs, taupe shiny panyhoses, please.

Lizzie said...

This is amazing. I was so underweight (just naturally, thankfully I didn't have an eating disorder or anything) around that age that my doctor actually "prescribed" two milkshakes a day. My mom used to go into near hysterics over how my spandex bicycle shorts or leggings were actually BAGGY - now that I'm more, uh, normal-sized, I shudder to think of trying to fit into those again!

Meems said...

Not only is it amazing that the dress still fits, but you had a baby not too long ago. Amazing. You've got some good genes. Wear that dress with pride.

Becky said...

well at least you've got a good halloween costume idea! and your hubby can go as beetlejuice!
:)

Sizzle said...

The fact that you can still wear it is pretty awesome in and of itself. :-) And now you don't need to worry about Halloween. Score!

Lara said...

Dude, I really kind of want to hate you for being able to fit into that dress. Except I could never hate you.

I think we had similar taste as pre-teens.

abbersnail said...

That is insanely outstanding. I love it!!!!!!

Whiskeymarie said...

I tried putting on my old prom dresses the other day, but realized that I have grown a few more ribs since high school. Either that, or I ate the high school version of me at some point.
I'll try and not be depressed that your old dress still fits- I'll take comfort in the hideousness of the drop waist poofyness of your lovely floral frock instead.

Rhiannon said...

I think you should post a photo of this on your fridge when your kids get a bit older - just to REMIND THEM not to cross you.

Bumbling said...

I love it. Almost as much as I love the *cough* OVERALLS I used to wear. IN HIGH SCHOOL. Thankfully, those have been consigned to a thrift store in the greater NY area to make some other person look the fool.
Also, not to plug my blog shamelessly or anything, but I found it hilarious that we both blogged about how we can someday embarrass our children. It's whats moms do, yo! Heh.

Angella said...

You really must be wee if you can fit into a dress from your pre-teen years.

I think it would also be embarrassing to make Lo wear it when she's older. Ha!

auntie said...

so awesome!

Daisy said...

Save those ideas for SomeDay. Trust me: I've heard the phrase "Mom, we're in public!" more often than you know. Of course, it never stops me.

beyond said...

wait, didn't you just have a baby? how can you fit in your pre-teen dress? good that you posted the photos to prove it. wow!

Moose said...

So I read this days ago, when you first posted it. I'm commenting now because this morning, while getting ready for work and looking particularly atrocious (something about a ratty sweatshirt and corduroy), I looked at myself in the mirror and totally plagiarized the title of this post. YOUR WIT HAS SUNK ITS CLAWS INTO MY BRAIN. And now I'm copying you shamelessly.

(Also: THIS? is awesome. I think I have some calico somewhere just waiting for its moment.)

brooke said...

Hi! First time visitor here. Very funny post! Though, this dress is not too far off from what you can find selling at urban right now. I mean, just look at this thing:
UrbanOutfitters