One of my favorite traditions growing up was picking out an
outfit for Christmas. In my mind, the Single-Occasion Outfit Purchase was the
very epitome of decadence, and it formed a habit that would lead me, as an
adult, to spend a week’s worth of my theater acting wages on opening night
dresses—even when I knew my co-stars would be showing up in very nice sweater
and skirt combos. Ah, the things that make us who we are and drain our bank
accounts in the process!
outfit for Christmas. In my mind, the Single-Occasion Outfit Purchase was the
very epitome of decadence, and it formed a habit that would lead me, as an
adult, to spend a week’s worth of my theater acting wages on opening night
dresses—even when I knew my co-stars would be showing up in very nice sweater
and skirt combos. Ah, the things that make us who we are and drain our bank
accounts in the process!
When I ran into one former co-star at a theater gala in New
York several years after we worked together, she commented that she “knew
that dress.” Damn right, I thought. I might be crazy enough to spend $500
when making only $800 per week, but I’m not crazy enough to never wear the purchase
again in a different zip code. FYI, “that dress” was a fantastic black lace
sleeveless number by Nanette Lepore with a fitted bodice and flared skirt. It’s
a total classic and I still love it. I knew it was a winner when I tried it on
for my romantic interest in the show, and he seemed to fall in love with me for
real. (People say women care more about clothing than men, but I disagree—and I
digress.)
York several years after we worked together, she commented that she “knew
that dress.” Damn right, I thought. I might be crazy enough to spend $500
when making only $800 per week, but I’m not crazy enough to never wear the purchase
again in a different zip code. FYI, “that dress” was a fantastic black lace
sleeveless number by Nanette Lepore with a fitted bodice and flared skirt. It’s
a total classic and I still love it. I knew it was a winner when I tried it on
for my romantic interest in the show, and he seemed to fall in love with me for
real. (People say women care more about clothing than men, but I disagree—and I
digress.)
When I saw this tartan miniskirt at Madewell on Christmas
Eve, I knew I had to buy it and the striped peter pan blouse to go with it. I’d
been a very good girl so far and not bought myself a thing while holiday
shopping. It turned out to be a good investment; I liked the combo so much I
wore it on Christmas Eve and Christmas
Day; the perks of being around family are that no one cares if you wear your
favorite new outfit two days in a row—and in the same zip code. And it’s not going to the back of the closet any
time soon: the blue and green plaid was festive enough for a special evening
but is also just classic enough to wear all winter long.
Eve, I knew I had to buy it and the striped peter pan blouse to go with it. I’d
been a very good girl so far and not bought myself a thing while holiday
shopping. It turned out to be a good investment; I liked the combo so much I
wore it on Christmas Eve and Christmas
Day; the perks of being around family are that no one cares if you wear your
favorite new outfit two days in a row—and in the same zip code. And it’s not going to the back of the closet any
time soon: the blue and green plaid was festive enough for a special evening
but is also just classic enough to wear all winter long.
This post is part of an on-going series with Los Angeles Magazine. Every other Wednesday I share the L.A. shops I love, my most recent purchases and fashion musings as a contributor to The Clutch style blog.
