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Would you buy a dress you are unlikely to wear?

(120 Posts)
Greyisnotmycolour Sun 17-Dec-23 22:03:17

I saw a gorgeous dress that I really desired (my Mrs Harris goes to Paris moment🤣). It's not Dior price though), quite affordable but I can't see me being anywhere to wear it. I fear such occasions are behind me and it makes me very sad. I'm hoping on this thread there'll be others who feel like me & not telling me to stop being ridiculous, wasting money and get over the fact the fact that life has changed. I can't post a photo as I can't find it now but it has just left me longing for a lovely dress but knowing I'll never have any where to wear it.

Missiseff Wed 20-Dec-23 16:48:12

Life's short, buy the dress

Celieanne86 Wed 20-Dec-23 16:37:56

I had a .radley handbag years ago which is now only fit for the bin but as I rarely go anywhere and am wheelchair bound I hestitated to replace it as it’s not cheap but I could afford it if I really needed it. My son said buy it if it gives you pleasure that’s all that matters he also said he knew I had gone without when him and his siblings were young and if I bought the bag he woukd buy me the purse. It’s ordered from Amazon delivery tomorrow, I’m excited my Christmas present to myself. Buy the dress and I’m sure you will find some occasion to wear it,

polly123 Wed 20-Dec-23 16:27:38

Definitely buy it. It's the right thing to do if you really want it. You never know, you might get the opportunity to wear it and if not, you have a beautiful dress anyway.

Marydoll Wed 20-Dec-23 15:58:58

On a day trip down the coast this summer, I spotted a closing down sale for M&Co.
There was a full length grey/mauve fur coat reduced from £150 to £25. DH looked at me and said, that is the last thing you need, you already have a few fur coats.
However, I tried it on and 7 yr old DGD said, You look beautiful gran. I bought it and have even been stopped in the street by a woman, asking where I got it! I didn't need it, but I have worn it many times and had my money's worth!
When I no longer wear it, it will go to the charity shop and someone else can have the pleasure of wearing it.

Marydoll Wed 20-Dec-23 15:53:13

Eirlys

I've just bought a Wallis faux fur jacket which I plan to wear on Christmas Day and on the 27th. It's OTT as I am ancient (93) but I have it hanging on my bedroom door and I stroke it every time I pass it !!
I now want a black, Cossack fur hat to match. :O)

Go for it. If you don't spoil yourself, who will?

I think you will look fabulous!

Eirlys Wed 20-Dec-23 15:02:49

I've just bought a Wallis faux fur jacket which I plan to wear on Christmas Day and on the 27th. It's OTT as I am ancient (93) but I have it hanging on my bedroom door and I stroke it every time I pass it !!
I now want a black, Cossack fur hat to match. :O)

Go for it. If you don't spoil yourself, who will?

Gwenisgreat Wed 20-Dec-23 14:48:28

Go for it! You can't foretell the future - can you? Who knows it might turn out to be one you couldn't live without!

grandtanteJE65 Wed 20-Dec-23 14:21:41

nanna8

I’ve done it, especially with weddings in mind. It is sitting in my wardrobe as we speak, still with tags on. Can’t bear to part with it but I will quite likely never wear it. Very lacy and flowery and a gorgeous shade of turquoise. Daft as a brush I am.

You definitely are not as daft as a brush. You fell for the dress, could afford it, and now it is hanging in your wardrobe and the very thought of it gives you pleasure.

Now you can wear it on New Year's Eve, whatever you intend to do then, can't you?

11unicorn Wed 20-Dec-23 14:18:39

Like so many have said, if you can afford it without regretting it then go for it.
Just put it on at home to look in the mirror and enjoy it. You don't need a special occasion to wear it or going somewhere you can just enjoy wearing it at home and make you feel top of the world.
Even better, make yourself a special meal, put some candles on and wear it! Put some music on and dance in it in your home. Enjoy!!!!

Bessieb Wed 20-Dec-23 14:17:13

NotTooOld

Buy it. Perhaps you can arrange an outing with friends to somewhere you could wear it? Afternoon tea at a posh hotel? Or you could sign up for ballroom dancing lessons?

I agree. Buy it and book somewhere lovely to wear it and, if you can't go anywhere like that, just wear it anyway. Life's too short to keep things for best.

Nannashirlz Wed 20-Dec-23 14:15:26

My dad used to say you get one roll of the dice of life. Don’t ever regret what you do if you want something go get it. You could buy it and ask your friends to go for an afternoon tea somewhere nice if you got no special occasions coming up. Or leave lettter in your will to be dressed in this dress then you can pose round heaven in a posh frock or you can just dress up and go to Tesco’s lol

newnanny Wed 20-Dec-23 13:52:06

If it will make you feel good but it. You never know when you might get invited out somewhere lovely. You'll be ready with your dress. Have you got shoes and a bag to wear with it too? Could you wear it to go out for a cream tea somewhere? I've seen ladies dressed very smartly when having an afternoon cream tea and I've felt I should have made more effort after my son took me.

Glasgo Wed 20-Dec-23 13:41:38

Well, I did exactly that this year. I normally wear plain clothes in self colours but I saw this dress in the Cos sale. It has quite a full skirt with pockets and the colours and pattern said buy me! It still has tags on, I love to spot it in my dull wardrobe and one day I will wear it.

Happygirl79 Wed 20-Dec-23 13:32:31

Greyisnotmycolour

It definitely wasn't a full ball gown, more of a cocktail dress I'd say. Fitted, lacy sleeves, midi length, I just wish I had somewhere to wear it 🤣

Buy it. If you get a thrill out of wearing it or even just owning it then it should be yours if it's affordable

Amalegra Wed 20-Dec-23 13:25:35

I have a dress in my wardrobe I doubt I’ll ever wear. It was quite affordable and is very glamorous,I think, the main attraction being a gorgeous ‘picture’ neckline and a nipped in waist with a full skirt. I am quite thin up top, so the old bones stick out a bit (not too crepey yet I hope) and I do have a very small waist so it would suit me if I cut my head off to avoid the obvious signs of my age! But where to wear it? A swanky restaurant, a night at the opera/theatre- occasions which sadly don’t really happen in my life! And would I look foolish? I never minded people thinking I looked rather ‘different’ in my attire when younger (in fact I rather pitied them for their curiously unadventurous views!). Now I’m older it’s not the same!
But oh the joy of looking at the lovely, dark blue silky swishiness and thinking maybe, just maybe, one day!

Jess20 Wed 20-Dec-23 13:14:07

Buy it! Then find somewhere to wear it to!

Greyjoy1953 Wed 20-Dec-23 13:07:19

I always wear a lovely dress on Xmas day or Boxing Day, buy it and wear it then. I was once asked why I was wearing a huge diamente brooch whilst out shopping. My answer was why not. As we get older fewer places to be dressed up for so why not when out shopping or browsing. Buy the dress Greyisnotmycolour and enjoy it whilst you can,life is so short.

Nannynoodles Wed 20-Dec-23 13:06:20

Definitely buy it if you love it! Honestly these days you can wear what you like whenever you want to.
I have a few lovely dresses, bags etc that were collecting dust as I kept them just for best, along with my best china and wine glasses that never got used.
Then after a good friend died and her husband mentioned all her lovely almost new clothes in the wardrobe I thought, what a shame she never wore them more.
So now I wear what I like when I like and my best china is now my every day set and I get pleasure every day from using it.
Probably I look a little overdressed on occasions but I don’t care, I’m happy!

sweetcakes Wed 20-Dec-23 12:49:20

I'm the same only with shoes. Trouble is I've never worn them got them for a wedding but couldn't find a dress to match.

Corkie91 Wed 20-Dec-23 12:29:43

No point what so ever buying anything you'd never wear

FranA Wed 20-Dec-23 12:16:18

Have a few friends round for a dress up garden party when the weather improves.

Susiewakie Wed 20-Dec-23 12:09:34

Go for it ! An occasion will occurr and you'll be ready .I have 2 lovely dresses awaiting my next outing either racing ( ladies day) or a dressed up girls day out .Or another family wedding .If you want it life is too short to miss out x

win Wed 20-Dec-23 12:02:40

I am with Calendargirl, no I wouldn't buy a dress I would never wear. I have dresses I have only worn once or twice for weddings, and how I would love to wear them more.

Goingtobeagranny Wed 20-Dec-23 12:00:15

I once wore my wedding dress to do the housework because I bought it and didn’t wear it. I loved it and wanted to wear it so I just flounced around in it for a few hours. We did get married over 30 years ago but just went to the registry office and then straight back to work. Still married and I still like to bring my wedding/shoes/dress up in an argument every now and again 🤣
I’ve bought many things in the past because I loved them and knew fine well I would never wear them out…so go for it, enjoy xxx

Tusue Wed 20-Dec-23 11:59:59

I once bought a gorgeous dress that I had no special plans or need for , it arrived beautifully wrapped in tissue paper in a box (very Mrs Harris) but not Dior !, even unwrapping it gave me a thrill.
I treated myself to something flippant and wholly unnecessary because it was beautiful and trying it on made me feel lovely and for once, glamorous.I used to try it on regularly.
If you can afford it ,do it