Hello. In spirit of my recent clearing stuff out, both my mother’s possessions and my son’s old room to prepare a writing spot, I also took a look at my closet.
I’ve been prone to scoffing at Marie Kondo, which isn’t very nice, and was also probably a defensive reaction because I didn’t WANT to get rid of anything. Isn’t it great the way we humans can evolve and move beyond our self-confusion? Sometimes? So, spark joy it is.
While these two dresses do their joyful job on the hanger–they are quite simply, beautiful– I no longer enjoy them on me. The brown and black Prada has no sleeves and while I bear my aging body no ill will, I don’t need to spotlight my upper arms. The Tory Burch is so vivid that as I pale it eclipses me, absent shapewear leaving only my 64-year old belly to bear witness. And both dresses are too large for my daughter, to whom I give as many of my hand-me-ups as I can.
I thought I’d sell them here, where fashion aficionados could bring them home knowing their history and taking them forward in time. Yes I think style is serious, must you ask, even now? (Thought for future conversation: while the price per unit of wear has been extremely high, is there such a thing as a price per unit of enjoyment? Because I have enjoyed the possibility of wearing these.)
Here are the details:
Tory Burch (original post about wearing, with photo)
- Bought in 2012, worn 3-4 times
- Size: S
- Fabric: 100% silk jersey
- Condition: Excellent
- Price: $50 ($500+ at purchase)
Prada (original post about purchase, with photos)
- Bought in 2010, worn 5-6 times
- Size: Italian 40, altered by taking out the back ribcage seam 1/4 of an inch and tacking down the lace crumb catcher a tad
- Fabrics: Skirt and bodice are viscose, black band inserts are wool/silk, lace is nylon, lining is cupro (made from recycled cotton which I did not know)
- Condition: Excellent
- Price: $250 ($1800+ at purchase)
What will I do without these dresses? For truly I will miss them but my friends my house is not a clothing museum. Why, once the pandemic is over I’ll have this altered and wear it everywhere I possibly can.
Right now it’s fitted via magnetic clip. Pulling back that curtain right on back.
And these are the shoes.
Perhaps I’ll get my mother’s Cartier bracelet out of the safe. I tell myself Granny Sibyll, hanging there above me, in her secret heart might have approved.
Housekeeping note. I have hand-washed the Tory Burch, once. I have not had the Prada cleaned, ever. I have deodorized both with rubbing alcohol. If you’re interested, or want photos of the labels, or anything, email me before by 8am Tuesday morning Pacific Time. If more than one person is interested, I’ll draw straws Tuesday. Preference will be given to regular readers/commenters here, because, community.
Have a good weekend. Fantasy helps. So does optimism. I liked this article;). And oh yes, my husband and I collaborated to cut my hair. It was definitely not sparking joy as it was, long as the pandemic.
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29 Responses
My word Lisa, you look FABULOUS in the new feathery one. I can’t wait to see where you wear it when the world is ripe for outings again.
@Cara, Thank you! I think that I feel outings in my bones and I hope the feeling is not too premature.
I noticed your hair right away. Absolutely lovely. I had a good friend do some chopping on mine, with husband giving input. Ya gotta do whatcha gotta do.
Love the shorter hair. You look stunning!!! I need a cut so badly!!!!!
I’m SO glad you got that feathered dress — you and she were meant for each other! Elegance and panache together. Restrained panache, the most intriguing . . .
xo, f
Love your new dress. So happy that you have a luscious replacement for the other two. You always look swish to me. In whatever you wear… you always look like Lisa, cool person the same age as me. :)
I am a firm believer (these days) in shedding those those things we will not use again. But, I am not averse to showing my upper arms even though they are a bit (!) portly. I just don’t care. I do care about being in better shape, but I don’t care about others seeing that I am not there yet. I love both of these dresses and I know their new owners are going to enjoy them.
Your black dress is stunning, as are the shoes! May a special occasion come for you soon after the vaccinations are done and have a chance to take effect. Here in the Frozen North, we are looking out at an uninterrupted vista of snow, and plotting what we will do when it disappears (in 2 months). Gives us time to clean out the closet, too, and give the entertainment clothes a careful and wishful looking-over!
Meanwhile, although we have been locked down (several times!) this winter, I still wear comfortable business clothes at home when working on landscape designs. Something about getting into a professional frame of mind! Clothes maketh the woman…
So excited that you got the Duncan dress — you look great in it!
Love the chic haircut. You look fabulous as ever.
Beautiful haircut, and you look STUNNING in that dress!
Lisa, Your haircut is lovely!
I had no idea what” chuffed meant and looked it up. I’m very taken with the fact that you went to Princeton. That must have been an extraordinary experience.
Luci
I remember the post about the Prada dress.
I hadn’t realized so many years had gone by.
That feathered dress is just SO fabulous. And the hair looks great too.
I’m enjoying the vision of your post-pandemic life that your dress suggests: glamorous cocktail parties in elegant softly-lit high-ceilinged drawing rooms, guests sipping martinis from Baccarat crystal, the lights of San Francisco shimmering through long windows facing the ocean, sparkling conversation, lilting laughter, eyes meeting…
Well, I can dream, can’t I? (Although I would still be worried about those damn feathers moulting!)
Always looking très chic! You make that feather dress look fabulous. And I remember the other two. They are wonderful and will make someone else very happy, sparking joy!
I too am so glad you got the feathered dress . It looks terrific on you – as does the haircut !
Love the hair, and you look great in the feathered dress. You definitely need to wear that to a stand-up cocktail party so that you can show off the feathers. I am tempted by the Prada but am trying to deaccession rather than acquire these days.
Yes – wear All The Things. I’ve handed on some rather nice jewellery to friends and family, and regularly wear the good stuff, even if the only audience for Nan’s pearls are the dogs and spouse.
Love your hair and new dress and shoes. Of course I remember that Tory Burch dress, as I believe we bought it simultaneously. Mine went to my cousin and I’m sure she’s passed it on by now. I also had a Prada dress that I gave to her because…it was sleeveless. Yours is so cool, don’t you think maybe worth it to have it taken in for your daughter, if it doesn’t sell?
Love the hair! You and the spouse did good on that.
First off, I remember when you bought the original dress so that is years of enjoying your writing! Second, the peacock feather one is a dream and can’t wait for you to have an occasion to show it off. Third, I love your shorter hair. I am sorely tempted to cut mine. Finally, what an inspired idea to sell your much loved items here. Bon chance!
Hang on to the Prada. Just wear it with a cardigan as Mrs. Prada would.
@Melissa Ellen O’Neill, I absolutely agree about keeping the Prada and just finding a smart little cardigan, feathered boa (since they become you very well), or chic chic shawl. Benefit of considering this option: if you decide to sell it anyway, you will be even more certain about it than you were before!
PS. I’d definitely be wearing that bracelet often, pandemic or no. We all tend to “save” things for “special occasions.” Why not give ourselves permission to just use our best stuff everyday!
I am so happy you got that dress as it does seem you were meant for each other. It is hard to set things that once made us happy free but our memories are not tied to the thing itself, we retain them But you in that dress! Better one perfectly fabulous thing that somehow lets you shine.
Lisa, you look fantastic with your hair cut shorter. Might I even say it makes you look younger (not that we need to!) And your new dress is stunning. LOVE.IT.
I’m trying to sell a few things on Ebay that I no longer wear. Some success there.
Your haircut looks fantastic. You’ve found a great length for your look. Also love your dress..
I love your new haircut
Re: the Prada. Assuming you still like it, you could just buy a little sweater to wear with it.
I don’t mind my upper arms. (I’m pretty wrinkled all over; to avoid revealing skin, I’d have to wear a burka.) The body parts I’m self-conscious about are my spider-vein infested legs (it’s always something). Rather than give up my knee length dresses altogether, I wear them with tights, leggings, and tapered pants.
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