Monday, January 5, 2009

A love letter to my LBD

Dear Gap LBD dress -

First off, you look great. You have been well stored in my parent's attic (sorry it's so cold up there) and you haven't faded or anything. Very classy.

I also wanted to thank you for being so awesome this week and totally saving my a** for Cousin Nick's wedding, you know, when my stepmom went bat sh*t crazy and told me my original outfit wasn't "appropriate." I have no idea what brought this on, but I am so glad you were around because you were perfect, yet again, to wear to another wedding.

I remember buying you at the Gap in Uptown in Minneapolis during college, when I was a lot heavier and dirt poor. I got you on sale and you were the last one in your style in the store, and of course, you were my size. We were meant to be together.

Now I don't want to hurt your feelings, but I do need to dry clean you and get you hemmed because you're kind of long on my petite frame, but I know we can get through this. I told Cheryl that you were my "emergency LBD" because you have saved me countless times.

Tim Gunn says a woman always needs at least one trusty LBD, and I'm glad you're in my arsenal. I feel good wearing you and you help hide my not-so-flat stomach, which tends to be less than flat when I consume copious amounts of food and alcohol at weddings and social functions. And you fit awesome in the chest, that's a total plus.

You might not be "Chicago dress" appropriate, but I think you're pretty great. So thanks for being in my closet and looking so hot whenever I need you.

You complete me :)

xoxoxoxo Jess

Does anyone else have an accessory or piece of clothing that they always turn to when they need it? For a wedding, work meeting or even just a night out?

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Anything in trusty black, always works for me!

Thanks for the picture love, I really appreciate it :) Hope the New Year is going well for you!!!

CIP said...

Hahaha, this was so adorable. I'm becoming a fan of writing letters to objects on my blog too. Haha.

I guess my go-to item would have to be my LBD also. It can be transformed from a fun going out dress, to a professional work dress. It's the best!

Mandy said...

I always go for classic black either skirt or pants time and time again. As for accessory? A pearl necklace -- timeless.

KA said...

I go for a knee-length black skirt, button up blouse and knee high boots - I can wear to anything! It's my saving grace anytime anything formal comes up.

Vanessa said...

Great letter! For me it's the accessories. A great scarf or beautiful shoes can pull the outfit together with a nice handbag and make the whole thing work, dressed up or down, for any occasion.

Living Dees Life said...

i have a little red & black dress. it's very classy and goes great with any occasion.

i just need to get another "shoulder" cover --it's spaghetti strapped

Maxie said...

I have a plain black 3/4 sleeve tunic that I always turn to.

We're in love and it's deep.

LBluca77 said...

I have a few items of clothing that have always had my back in my time of need.

But the one thing that always makes me instantly happy are my flip flops. If I could wear them every single day I would. I might even marry them.

Anonymous said...

I'm a college kid, so the fanciest thing I attend is a forest party. I kid, I kid.. but seriously. My goto is this little black vneck that's fitted around the chest and a little looser around the waist area. I love.

Erin said...

I had a little black dress that I bought second hand that I wore to everything for several years. I finally bought a new one the past May. Sadly, I haven't found any reason to wear it since then. LBDresses don't work so well for afternoon garden weddings.

I have a few suits that I wear for work events, but I'm still trying to fall in love with one or two go-two things. My current favorite piece of clothing is a sweater I bought at Banana Republic before Christmas.

alexa @clevelandsaplum said...

i have the same kind of love for my LBD's considering i have about 23 of them. they are like my uniform.

i'm greek, i can't help it.

that dress makes me miss old school gap though.

Anonymous said...

I think a beer always makes whatever outfit I'm wearing look fantastic!

Anonymous said...

What a touching love letter ;) I have a pair of Hudson jeans that make me look about 10 pounds smaller and my butt look about 10 times better. Love those things!!

Jenny Grace said...

I'm seriously LBD deprived right now. I had a perfect one that doesn't fit right now, and I have a good dress WAY up one, but it's frankly a little too....boobular for your typical night on the town.

Heidi Renée said...

I have a red top that never fails to turn my husband's head--or any man's, for that matter. I got it on clearance at New York and Company last year. It's lacy on top, a looooow cut v-neck, and has an empire waist to allow for consumption AND my already protruding midsection. It's nice enough to wear to a fancy restaurant, but not too showy for a more casual place. I've posted pictures of myself wearing it on my blog before. It always seems to be the top I turn to when I need to look good.

P said...

I have an awesome long black top that looks fab with jeans and covers me up so well on the days when i'm feeling fat. i actually haven't worn it in a while so i think it's time to remedy that.

i've never thought of writing a love letter to an item of clothing before, but it makes so much sense. after all, my clothes ARE the love of my life really!

Princess Pointful said...

I don't have anything like that... I have a very full closet, but nothing I'm really attached to, in all honesty. I'm not sure if this should make me happy or sad!

Anonymous said...

I have many!
A black dress (but that's getting a little old now), straight grey jeans (also getting a little old), black pointy flats (the soles are falling off), favourite flattering yellow t shirt (still new).

Possibly I should be updating my wardrobe!

Anonymous said...

I've never found the perfect one for me, which makes me sad!

Kyla Bea said...

What a great basic to have - I don't have any little black dresses, from the sounds of your love affair I definitely need to invest.

laura marie said...

I don't have ANYTHING like that and you know what? that might just be that big hole in my life i desperately try to fill with alcohol.




wait...just kidding.

Unknown said...

Believe it or not, I do not own a LBD. I do have a little black capelet that has saved me many a time this year... at both a wedding and a company Christmas party when I needed something to hide my strapless boobiness. And it's extra special because I made it.

Cheryl said...

Hurrah for the LBD. I always turn to my boots in the winter and a sundress in the summer. Seasons go-to's!

The Eclectic Connoisseur said...

I'm a shoe freak! My go-to is a pair of patent leather black pointy toe heels. They make me feel sexy and strong.

Anonymous said...

This was cute.

My go-to item is always my favorite black cardigan.

Anonymous said...

I love my LBD. Actually, I have several LBDs that I love. One for virtually every occasion. There's really nothing I feel more confident in...

Katelin said...

i definitely have that go to dress hanging in my closet too. it's sort of black and always fabulous. gotta love it.

Megkathleen said...

How cute. I have this baggy boyfriend style black cardigan that I love. I can either dress it down on the weekends with a funky t-shirt or dress it up with a silk top and skinny belt and it's so comfy and classic I couldn't live without it.

Marjolein said...

Not really... but I'm really glad I saved those expensive jeans I didn't fit into any more, because now that I lost so much weight it's the only item of clothing that fits properly. :)

Dusty @AllThingsG+D said...

Aww...what a sweet love letter! As much as I have in my closet, I have to admit that I do not have a LBD. Oh the horror!

laurwilk said...

I absolutely love LBD's. They tend to suit me very, very well. Pants aren't so much my gig. They don't highlight my assets!

But, I need a new one. Mine are looking a bit drab.

Cute post!

Anonymous said...

I have a very simple black sheath the a got on the cheap at Banana Republic about 8 years ago. It's my go-to for everything. I wear it when I feel fat, wear it when I feel great, layer it with a sweater to wear in winter, wear it bare armed in the summer. I love it. We all need something that makes us look and feel great no matter what.

Anonymous said...

My black leather jacket. Best money I ever spent. It's at the dry cleaners, and I miss it everyday.

EP said...

I have a few little black dresses that I keep on hand for all kinds of events.

For work, skinny jeans. I've found they work out a lot better than bootcut ones that drag on the ground, especially when it's raining. Or you're photographing football or something else outside. Random, huh?

L.C.T. said...

Absolutely! I have a black cardigan from Jane Norman that has three quarter length sleeves and buttons up below the chest so it's short. The back is crocheted so looks really pretty. It's so classy and a perfect cardigan for any outfit. At the time I thought it was really expensive (£30) but it's lasted so so beautifully for so many years. I don't know where I'd be without it!

Miss Merry said...

uh oh, what's "Chicago Dress" appropriate? do i need to revamp my wardrobe to live in Chi?

Becka Robinson said...

HaHa. Cute.