Style

They say the devil is in the details, and isn't that the truth! I've been on the hunt for the perfect accessories to go with an orange sequin dress. Yes, of course I have an orange sequin dress! Because why wouldn't I?

I actually bought this beauty a year ago at a consignment event. It was simply too good to pass up, even though I had absolutely no occasion on the calendar that called for an orange sequin cocktail dress. But somehow, I just knew the perfect invitation would eventually arrive, and when it did, I'd already have the perfect dress waiting in my closet. And wouldn't you know it? A late-October wedding came along, and suddenly, my orange sequins will have their moment to shine. 

Of course, there's a fine line between elegant and looking like I'm headed out to a Halloween party, and I was determined to stay firmly on the elegant side! Champagne-colored shoes and a matching bag were a must to soften the orange and give the whole outfit a little sophistication. I've earmarked a navy blue suit for Tim, complete with a champagne-colored tie, to coordinate with my ensemble. Now, all we need is the perfect ivory dress shirt for him to pull it together.

Easier said than done! Tim is a tricky size to fit, with an unusually large neck and long arms, which makes finding the right dress shirt something of a shopping adventure in itself. I'm nearly ready to throw in the towel, but Tim knows better than to underestimate my determination when it comes to maintaining my vibe. I'm confident he'll come through with the perfect ivory shirt before the big day. A white shirt just won't do...ivory is a must. 

But back to that fabulous orange dress and the story of how it came to be mine. There it was, hanging on the rack among all the other spectacular finds, and somehow everyone seemed to walk right past it. How is that even possible? It still had its original $395 price tag attached, but the consignment shop had marked it down to $65, and then it was half off that price! That's right, a dress originally priced at $395 for a grand total of $32.50. Now that's what I call a score!

Perhaps the size 2 tag scared everyone away. I'll admit, I almost didn't bother trying it on myself, but something told me to give it a go. And wouldn't you know it? It fit perfectly! I'm not entirely convinced it was sized correctly, but who am I to question a little thrifting magic? I wasn't about to let a number on a tag stand between me and a fabulous bargain.

So, into my closet it went, where it patiently waited for an entire year for its grand debut. No impulse purchase regret here, just a little foresight, a whole lot of sparkle, and the satisfaction of knowing I had the perfect dress before I even knew I needed it.

Sometimes the best finds aren't just about the bargain; they're about recognizing something special and trusting that the right moment will eventually come along. And when it does, there's nothing quite like opening your closet, pulling out a long-forgotten treasure, and realizing you've been ready all along. Now, if we can just get Tim into that ivory shirt, we'll be sparkling our way into the wedding in style! And yes...I'll be sharing a photo of my perfect dress...all in good time! 

“Fashion is what you buy. Style is what you do with it.” — Lauren Hutton