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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.

MayBee70 Thu 21-Dec-23 17:36:34

I think I’m going to wear my new dress on Christmas Day. It’s rolled up in a ball as I haven’t looked at it since I unpacked it from my suitcase ages ago. I can’t think of any other time that I might wear it. And I’ve told my partner he’s driving this Christmas as I always drive at Christmas as I’m happy not to drink. So I might wear my dress and get tipsy as well!

Skydancer Thu 21-Dec-23 14:57:08

I often buy a nice dress a size too small because of course I will soon fit into it. (Usually from a charity shop though so I don't waste too much money - and then it gets donated back to them anyway).

Lollin Thu 21-Dec-23 14:25:10

Beautiful dress greyisnotmycolour enjoy your shoe shopping now!

oodles Thu 21-Dec-23 14:16:21

If you can afford it, buy it. If you feel you need to.get.rid.of.an unlovely. one to make space.for it then do that. I have bought inexpensive second hand dresses that are really pretty. The last 2 weddings I went to I wore a couple of such dresses, I found some cardis/shawls etc to go with them.nit was great that I had them, had got them when I saw them, and hadn't needed to spend time looking for a well.fitting and appropriate one, which would probably be full price. Both weddings I had expenses to attend, travel and accomodation as well as a present, so it was really great to not have to buy a dress too. I am not a standard size, so this is.somethimg for me to.consider too.
Every so often an occasion pops up to wear some of the nice dresss in my wardrobe, in fact I made a new years resolution to try and find occasions to wear them

ileea Thu 21-Dec-23 07:29:36

I would wear it when I go shopping.
If other people can wear their jammies while out shopping you can wear a fancy dress you love.
I have a beautiful summer dress I bought on a whim while on holidays. Unfortunately I have to lose the proverbial 10 pounds to get into it. As soon as I do that, I'll be wearing it on my next shopping trip

Greyisnotmycolour Wed 20-Dec-23 23:34:18

MaryDoll red hair - beautiful. I'm planning on going copper next month, I've already agreed it with my hairdresser 😁.

Marydoll Wed 20-Dec-23 23:26:42

Greyisnotmycolour, I was going to say that you looked stunning! Que Bella! šŸ˜‰

I am sure it will look just as good on you. That colour would be perfect for me, with my red hair.

Greyisnotmycolour Wed 20-Dec-23 23:23:31

Well ladies thank you all so much for your replies, I've had a good laugh at some of them and they've all been very kind. You've shared some lovely outfits too. So, following what a lot of you have said, I've bought a dress tonight. It's not as fancy as the original one (which I couldn't find again anyway) but its similar. When thinking about where I could wear it, I actually came up with a couple of places we're going where dress up more than I would normally. I just need some shoes now. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and advice. I'll try to post a photo on what I've bought but unfortunately I'm about 50 years older than the model 🤣.

sunbar Wed 20-Dec-23 22:47:31

What's a dress?

GrannyGravy13 Wed 20-Dec-23 20:32:29

^Ikiesgrandma* (((hugs)))

Glasgo Wed 20-Dec-23 20:27:51

Thank you Grammaretto and Tenko

Kathmaggie Wed 20-Dec-23 20:20:05

Just go for it! You may regret it. I have bought dresses I’ve loved and never worn but oh the joy of having them ā€˜just in case ā€˜ Life is too short to deny yourself a little luxury you can afford.

Mamma7 Wed 20-Dec-23 20:15:38

Buy it and wear it!

Lucyd Wed 20-Dec-23 18:57:23

Go ahead and buy the dress - even if you don't wear it you will still have the joy of looking at it and picturing where you might wear it. I have many pairs of shoes, bags, coats, etc some have yet to be out I the house but I enjoyed buying them. Most of my purchases now are from ebay ( the joy of a cashmere coat for a fraction of its original price) and I know that, should the opportunity arise, I probably have a suitable outfit to hand. However would need to cut out the cakes, crisps, bread and chocolate before I could squeeze into them!

Nannyof4mummyof2 Wed 20-Dec-23 18:53:24

Buy it and make your own event to wear it life is too short x

NannaBarbra Wed 20-Dec-23 18:43:52

I often by dresses (and other items of clothing) that I love but don't think I'll ever wear, then months or sometimes years later an occasion pops up and I think "ah I have just the dress for that"
Like others have said if you can afford it then go for it xx

pascal30 Wed 20-Dec-23 18:42:02

Ikiesgranma

I don’t want to make my situation a downer but I probably won’t be alive this time next year. (My consultant has said about 4 months but I’m hoping for longer) My daughter has brought her wedding forward to early February next year and I’ve thrown caution to the wind and bought a lovely sequin dress and a beautiful embellished velvet jacket, a gorgeous sequin clutch bag and will buy some totally unsuitable shoes nearer the time. I have always been very practical and would normally balk at spending so much money on clothes which I’m unlikely to wear again unless I get a longer life than expected. I’ve also bought a beautiful walking stick from Neo sticks which has gold flecks in it.

Your message brought a lump to my throat Ikiesgrandma. I hope you have the most fabulous wedding and look like a star..
you certainly sound like one..

Ikiesgranma Wed 20-Dec-23 18:29:15

I don’t want to make my situation a downer but I probably won’t be alive this time next year. (My consultant has said about 4 months but I’m hoping for longer) My daughter has brought her wedding forward to early February next year and I’ve thrown caution to the wind and bought a lovely sequin dress and a beautiful embellished velvet jacket, a gorgeous sequin clutch bag and will buy some totally unsuitable shoes nearer the time. I have always been very practical and would normally balk at spending so much money on clothes which I’m unlikely to wear again unless I get a longer life than expected. I’ve also bought a beautiful walking stick from Neo sticks which has gold flecks in it.

Tenko Wed 20-Dec-23 17:56:06

Glasgo

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.

Ohh lovely dress Glasgo. And unusual for Cos as they normally do neutrals.

Diggingdoris Wed 20-Dec-23 17:48:54

I learnt my lesson years ago, when on a day trip I saw a dress I loved in a London market and my now exH said you don't need that it's too dressy. A week later we had an invitation to a nieces wedding and I combed all the local shops to see if I could find that dress or something I liked as much, but was disappointed. I ended up buying something I didn't feel great in and have always remembered that. So if I see something I love and I can afford it now I buy it and eventually they all get worn.

Hels001 Wed 20-Dec-23 17:30:38

Buy it! Life is too short not to! I bought some kurt gieger boots suede black high boots. I kept them in the box under my bed took them out and stroked them occasionally never wore them out as they'd cost me a weeks wage - don't regret it I loved those boots but they made me happy.

MamaB247 Wed 20-Dec-23 17:22:12

If you have nowhere to wear it. Find somewhere splash out a d have a night out it's never too late

Esmay Wed 20-Dec-23 17:19:06

I also admit to having a Mrs Harris moment .
I bought an incredible bargain - a designer dress , which isn't my size .
It's packed away until I can , one day fit into it .

LovesBach Wed 20-Dec-23 17:07:01

Go for it - to have something that you love and that makes you feel special is worth its weight in gold in these times. When two of my children married within a few months of each other, I bought two outfits, both expensive, and I have worn each one since, but not often. However, when I do, I feel smart, and the 'posh' outfit is always there for something that might come up on my otherwise very ordinary social calendar.

Grammaretto Wed 20-Dec-23 17:06:26

If it fits and makes you feel like a princess I would certainly buy it. I seldom see dresses that I must have.
Oh to be tempted!

I do like your dress Glasgo 😚