I want a convertible dress

I love outfits that are convertible.  Versatility and convertibility are amazing qualities for a garment to have.  I remember when I watched Fashion Star, one of my favourite pieces was the convertible skirt that Orly made.  The model walked down the runway, and then undid the zipper around the waist to remove the top part of the skirt, creating a whole different look.  Unfortunately that was the first thing she made, and everything she made thereafter just wasn’t as good.  But the skirt was awesome.

I remember watching an episode of Dragons’ Den where this woman had created a convertible dress.  It was a while ago, so I don’t remember exactly what the styles looked like, but I remember that I thought it was a brilliant idea.  To be able to buy one dress and wear it multiple ways to achieve multiple different looks, who wouldn’t want one of those?

There is also a company called Wrap Magic Skirts which does the same thing.  They have various skirts and dresses which can be worn over 100 different ways.  Their newest creation is the convertible dress, which is the same idea as what I saw on Dragons’ Den, except it’s a different company.  The convertible dress looks amazing.  The website has videos which demonstrate the various ways you can change the look.  They retail for $250.

But as luck would have it, there’s an online deal.  Two actually, one on SwarmJam and one on Deal Getters.  The deal lets you order one for $49.  Taxes and shipping are not included though.  But it’s still a significant reduction from the full retail price.  I am so tempted to buy one.  I can justify it by saying that I’m not paying a lot for just one dress, I’m paying a lot essentially to get multiple dresses.  And a skirt.  Yes, it can also be transformed to be worn as a skirt.

But I’m still debating as to whether I should get it.  I mean I don’t really have an event or occasion that I need it for.  I never really NEED these things.  But I’m sure I’d make good use of it somehow.  Chances are I’d probably find one way of wearing it that I like the most and then constantly wear it that way, defeating the purpose of its versatility.  Or even more likely, I would screw it up somehow, trying desperately to follow the steps from the video but ultimately being unable to achieve the desired look.  Then maybe I’d end up just wearing it as a skirt, unable to figure out the dress styles.  Because I tend to fail at fashion.  But it’s worth a try, right?

 

My main problem is I’m indecisive.  If I do in fact buy one, I have no idea which colour to get.  How do I decide?  If they had a convertible dress that also changes colour, now that would really be something.  That would be the ultimate in versatility.  But alas, there is no such thing.  It would make sense to get black, since a little black dress is an essential part of any wardrobe.  But I think I should get something colourful.  I think I look good in purple.  But I have a couple purple dresses already.  Though none like this.  The blue is really nice too.  Maybe the blue?  But what about the red?  Or the other shade of blue?  Or the green even?  I want them all!

Also, there are two different styles of the dress you can choose from to order.  The first one is really nice, but a lot of the styles are backless, which poses the problem of finding the right bra.  So perhaps the second style would be better.  But I like them both.  Chances are, by the time I make up my mind as to whether to buy it and which one to buy, the deal will have expired or sold out.  And then I will be left with non-buyer’s remorse, which is really an awful feeling.  Because I’m only going to buy one with the deal.  I can’t afford a $250 dress.

What do you think?  Should I get one?  And if so, which colour?

I went to South Delta to buy clothes

So you if you’ve been following my posts, you may know that I’ve been overspending lately.  Although how do you define overspending?  It’s really a subjective thing, isn’t it?  Each individual defines it in whatever way they want, based upon overall income, necessary expenses, savings, and their own personal values regarding money and possessions.  To some people, I may be overspending.  To others, maybe it’s not that bad?  But I think the majority agree that I’m overspending.  But I’m not in debt and I have a job and I do have limits.  I only overdo it once in a while.  Those times just happened to all occur recently as opposed to being more spread out.

What was it this time?  No, I did not go back to Army & Navy a third time.  That would be excessive.  You know, even more excessive than buying thirteen pairs of shoes.  But as it turned out, there was another big sale I was made aware of recently.  The Orb warehouse sale.  They had one back in the fall, at the River Rock Casino, where I got good deals on hoodies and tops.  This time, it was at the Delta Town and Country Inn.  Not as close to home, but as luck would have it, my friend not only informed me of the sale, but took me with her when she went.

We stopped by McDonald’s prior to the sale, as it happens to be another one of our vices. If we’re going to be judged for indulging, may as well indulge in food as well.  There were great deals at this sale as well.  Tops were 6 for $60.  Obviously I knew I would be buying me some of those.  Dresses were 3 for $50.  I had to have those too.  Hoodies were 4 for $120.  But I passed on the hoodies.  I got enough of those the last time around.  Like I said, I do have limits. The first thing I looked at was these small boxes that said 2 for $10.  There wasn’t much in them, but I did manage to get a top and a dress in my size.

Top & a dress at 2 for $10

As for fitting rooms, there were none, but there was a space for changing.  It was a space behind a curtain with long mirrors put up inside.  That’s how we do it at warehouse sales.  It’s one open area back there, however crowded.  It’s pretty much room for one person to a mirror and a box with which to discard any unwanted items.  So you do still have to line up and wait a few minutes at times when there are too many people back there.

Now in the past, I would have hated this and possibly not wanted to go.  I really do hate it when stores don’t have mirrors on the inside of their fitting rooms, forcing you to step outside if you want to see how something looks.  And then everyone else can see it too.  That’s nothing compared to this, where you’re just changing next to and in front of other people.  But it’s the only way.  Some are self conscious, and try things on over top of their pants and their tank tops in order to maintain at least some level of privacy.

I love Orb

I’m at a point where I’m comfortable and it doesn’t really phase me anymore.  If other people are willing to undress back there, then so am I.  I need to know how these clothes look on me before I buy them, as I can’t return them afterwards, since it’s a warehouse sale.  And really, no one’s looking at you or judging, their all focused on their own items and how they look themselves.  And even if they were to judge you, who cares?  You gotta do what you gotta do.

They give you bags when you walk in, which came in handy as I threw many items in there.  My strategy is often pick out as many things as you can that you like, and then try them on and eliminate after.  You never know until you try it.  I felt kind of bad because my friend was done before I was.  I knew that was going to happen.  I take a while to deliberate and make sure that I won’t have buyer’s remorse and that I won’t miss out on anything either.

I think I need a bigger closet for all my clothes

The problem with deals like 6 for $60 is that you have to get 6 items.  I always end up with too few or too many.  In this case, too many.  And then you have to decide whether to eliminate some, or go find some for.  I didn’t realize until I went to pay that once you have 6, any items over that amount would automatically be $10 each, so you didn’t have to go in increments of 6 each time.

The tops I got at $10 each

I also saw this small rack with dresses that were 3 for $30.  But there were really only 3 different dresses on that rack.  And there was no way they would all look good on me.  But there was one that I really liked.  I tried to make the others work too, but it was a lost cause.  They were really baggy and unshapely.  I thought maybe with a belt they might just work, but my friend assured me that it looked like I was wearing an apron.  I was grateful to have her there for her honest opinion.

Got the one dress for $15 since the others didn’t work out

There was another dress that I tried on that was black and my friend informed me that I looked like Morticia Addams.  These types of things are good to know, and had she not been there I may have been blind to this fact.  It’s not like there’s any time where I would want to look like Morticia Addams.  Not even Halloween, as I’m not pale enough to pull it off anyway.  I love black dresses, but that one just wasn’t meant to be.

3 dresses for $50

If you spend $200, you get $20 off.  So naturally that’s what I aspired to do.  The first time I tried my Visa, the connection failed.  But that was the connection, not my card.  My friend remarked that perhaps it was some sort of sign warning me not to do it, giving me a chance to reconsider.  But I still made my purchase.  When I expressed my excitement on having it go through, the cashier asked me if it was a new card.  To which I replied, “No, I’ve just been spending a lot of money lately…”.

I spent slightly more than my friend.  But this was her second time at the sale.  So she still beat me.  But she didn’t buy shoes at Army & Navy like I did.  Not that it’s a competition or anything.  But I think we sort of enabled each other.  Apparently, having me accompany her to the sale made her spend less than she would of had she gone alone, because when she’s alone, there’s no one there to judge her.  To which I replied, “You’re worried about ME judging YOU?”.  Because clearly I have no right to judge anyone.

Got 2 reusable bags with my purchases