I don't think I could have pulled the trigger without encouragement from sweet friends. This was the third blogging conference my Princess Dress had accompanied me to, and she had yet to exit her suffocating dry cleaner's bag.
It didn't make sense to bring her, not really, but I loved her…for goodness sakes, I refer to her in the feminine and I named her! {Have you ever named a favorite outfit or piece of clothing…or am I alone on Crazy Island?}
Over a decade ago it didn't make sense to buy my Princess Dress, either. Away from babies and on an extended date with my husband, he indulged a school-girl's whim of mine: to try on formal gowns just for fun.
The Princess Dress, tempting bait behind storefront glass, easily reeled me in. While my husband swished through kaleidoscopic sparkle for me to consider, I couldn't peel off my clothes fast enough to try on the singular object of my affection. Clinging like second skin and accentuating any positive my post-multiple-pregnancy body had to offer, I felt like a princess! The bodice, strapless and threaded with a silvery garden, veed to my waist where an explosion of black tulle breezily floated to the ground.
It was beautiful; none of the others seemed to like me as much as the Princess Dress. The hungry look in my husband's eyes affirmed this.
Reality dictated I leave her behind: young children at home to dress and feed, a handsome price tag to match her beauty, and the greater truth–I had no balls to attend….
But love at first site is relentless, and the Princess Dress was simply unforgettable. I kept my eye on her. I'd stroll through the mall with babies in tow and often peek in to see if she was still there.
She always was, though her sisters slowly took leave.
Months later, clearance signs filled the storefront in place of glamor and fun. My heart, racing, beat me to the sales rack–one Princess Dress was still there! Two sizes larger than my perfect size, I couldn't've cared less! I stole her from the friendly sales girls and finally brought her home.
It was the most non-sensical purchase I've ever made but maybe the happiest one, too.
In the years since, I've worn her out twice (let's not mention dress-up days at home, mmmmk? 😉 ). The first time was for a 40th birthday party of a dear friend. The second time?
*
*
*
At Blissdom last weekend, where Arianne told me, "You need to wear it but you've got to OWN it!" She told me how to wear my hair ("big"), not to hide behind the inherited mink stole of my grandmothers, and that I needed a soft, shimmery lipstick to balance the dramatic impact of the dress. Amber chose my jewelry, and the smile and excitement in her eyes–where I desperately searched for encouragement that this wasn't the stupidest thing in the world to do–told me everything I needed to hear.
These precious lovies encouraged me, protected me, affirmed me, and in a strange way infused courage in me…which led to one of the funnest nights of my life.
Because I couldn't get mentally past wearing the dress in public, it hadn't occurred to me what the response would be.
Oh, my. It was well beyond anything I could have imagined.
Hundreds of women blessed my heart in the blessiest of ways–laughing at me, laughing with me, does it really matter which?!
My blogging community declared it's alright to march to your own beat…to be silly…to embrace your femininity…to live large…to own what makes you feel great! For a few hours I felt like Cinderella, special and loved, and my inner joy could not be contained!
It wasn't about the dress, though. It was a response to kindness and graciousness and beautiful hands of friendship.
When the clock struck midnight, the Princess Dress went back to her hanger, happy and well fed.
As I drifted to sleep, smiling, I was mindful and thankful for the gift of friendship and for those who alter my history by sharing life together.
My last thought before falling asleep?
Every girl needs a princess dress….
YOUR TURN: Do you have a story about how an outfit made a difference in your life? What about my story, do you think I'm slap crazy or am I on to something?
Photo credit: To the amazing and magic-working Secret Agent Mama, who not only made me look on the outside the way I felt on the inside, but whom I'm lucky to call friend.
We loved your dress so much it made it to our #FancyFriday blog post!! You are fancy and fabulous!! Thanks for being you!
-Kristin and Chris Ann
i LOVE this post. It’s very important. love your darling heart, Robin!
at this point in life I’d be satisfied with the fairy god-mothers dress
I’m going with “on to something”. (That doesn’t exclude you from being slap crazy though!)
I think you should start planning a nation wide Princess Dress Day where women get together and wear something they never get to wear but want to. Just for the fun of it.
You owned that dress, girlfriend! I’m so glad you took her out of her dry cleaner bag. 🙂
Everyone needs a princess dress! It’s beautiful; you’re beautiful! 🙂
It is a gorgeous dress and looks great on you! I think you look fantastic and I bet you had the most fun of any one there–it sure looks that way.
You were lovely that night… your Cinderella shone through happy eyes and you most certainly OWNED the dress. Perhaps even the night.
I thought you in that dress was awesome! The shiney-happy eyes that I saw Friday night spoke volumes. We all need The Dress and Those Friends in our lives to encourage us to make our hearts happy over little things.
My Princess Dress is the dress that I wore for my senior voice recital in 1994. I still have it and can’t wait to fit into it again. Forest green, crushed velvet, long sleeve, open neckline, a small bit of sequins. I surely hope it’s back in style soon. I have 4 dress sizes to lose.
And your Princess Dress? It is beautiful, but it is merely an accessory to your dazzling smile while wearing it. I’m sure the pictures don’t do you justice.
Love you.
You totally owned it, girl. You looked amazing and confident and happy.
I’m not sure I ever said it in all the chaos of Friday night, but you ROCKED that dress. Every woman in there was jealous of your swishy skirt, I swear it. Love you.
omg – this is one of my favorite posts, EVER! That final shot of you just brought me to tears! You look so vulnerable-happy, like, real, really happy. I’m remembering one night at a work function that I wore a long, white dress – they thought I was nuts, but it was me…
First of all, I think the proper name is ‘ballsgown’, because it took big ones to rock that Princess Dress with all of the joyful abandon and supermodel moves you displayed!
You made me break into a big, goofy smile and laugh out loud with delight every time we crossed paths that night. Kelly said it perfectly: you WERE all ‘vulnerable-happy’ in that dress, and you looked so beautiful in it that it was clear it wasn’t meant to be a joke– it wasn’t a costume, or a parody, it was just a really gorgeous gown! Now that I know the inspiration behind it, I love it even more…
And you. If that’s possible.
You look absolutely stunning! A true princess. You may have just inspired me to get out there and by a new outfit to make me feel pretty like a princess too.
I am Enchanted…with the dress and you.
There is a dress hanging in the closet…floor length, strapless, lavender tyedyish. The kind my younger version would have worn with abandon on the beach to celebrate the sunset. She went to Florida with me this summer, but never got out of the bag.
Absolutely awesome post.
Love the dress and you looked beautiful! Also, I believe it is the inner beauty and personality you have to go along with it.
I believe this is something every girl needs to hear.
Wise words indeed! 🙂
And, I have one of those dresses. You give me ideas 😉
You were BEAUTIFUL that night, but that’s the way I’ve always seen you!
Bravery is so gorgeous, and so inspirational. SO glad you had encouragement to be yourself in a grand way! You were absolutely lovely, and a bit mysterious, too!
Robin, you are so fun! I’m glad you made such fun memories 🙂 & I’m glad I stopped by.
that dress looks like so much fun.
I have a little. a two year old. And she wears princess dresses every day. And I tell every person we see in public–why stop her? she’s beautiful in them.
and I don’t see why that should ever stop! ^_^
As I recall, it was sparkly and SHE worked magic! 😉
Julie…………..I think **YOU** are on to something! You've actually got me thinkin' about it! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Wanna hear something funny, Jo-Lynne? I saw a few of your responses (in comments/on Twitter) when people mentioned the dress, and you were SO SWEET I was feelin' the love even when you were talkin' about me behind my back. Makes me crush you all the more! 🙂
Amy, well aren't YOU an encourager! (yes ma'am!) It was great meeting you and thanks so much for dropping by. 🙂
Nicole, I relished the night and played like I was a kid. Such fun and freedom…:)
Ashleigh (so good meeting you!), "happy eyes"–just that phrase makes me smile. I love seeing that look in others, so I'm glad you saw it in me! 🙂
Aubrey, I just wanna second that emotion (hehe). Great meeting you! 🙂
Heather, had my Princess Dress not been 2 sizes too large when I bought it, I couldn't have worn it now. At the time, I hated it. Now? Well, you know the "now" :). I can "see" your dress, and here's the deal: it's in style if you choose to wear it, just SMILE BIG AND OWN IT! 🙂
I gotta thank Arianne for that line (again); it was difference-making :).
Lora Lynn, maybe…just m a y b e… it was "permission giving" for them to do something insane another time? I sure hope so…whether or not it involves a swishy skirt :).
I'm so glad you did that, Kelly; I know you "get" me in this. And that phrase, "vulnerable-happy"–it nails it! I DID feel "exposed", but the exposure was inner…at the end of the night, I was so glad I hadn't calculated the response to me wearing it…that would have lessened its impact or something <— not really sure how to express that, so I hope I don't sound like an idiot…! 🙂
Tori, you just reminded me I have GOT to find the piccha of you and me together where you're hugging me (have the link???). I had it up but had to reboot my computer and lost the URL :(. Anyways, I LOVED that you celebrated the night with me! You always make me smile, inside and out. I think it's the kindred in me and you…we're both "mah-ture" spicegirls 😉 :). xo
Mel, find one, watch it til it goes on clearance, then MARCH IN THERE AND GET IT! You will thank me after you wear it 🙂 🙂
Dawn, if she goes to the beach with you this summer, I will hurt you if she doesn't get to breath sea air. It sounds JUST.LIKE.YOU and I need a piccha! So does your hubby!!! 🙂
Joy, WHEN you wear it you MUST send me picchas and share every detail. I will revel in the moment with you!!!
Connie, would you believe you were one of the nicest surprises at Blissdom? I followed you on Twitter but meeting you resonated with me :). As with so many, I just wish we had MORE TIME together! Hope you're doing well, looking forward to meeting your NEWEST arrival! 🙂
Deb, see me smiling? I am. BIGtime. I love you "saw" mysterious…that makes my heart leap just a little :).
It's GREAT to "see" you, too! (Hope all is well in your neck of the woods).
I LIKE your philosophy; it's a thought I've had myself, lol. My 17-year-old daughter doesn't wear princess dresses anymore, but I'm sure she'd have fun dressing up with me…must make a date to do that very thing :).
BE-AU-TI-FUL!
You look adorable! Love it. 🙂
I was so thrilled that you chose to wear it. It made my heart smile and leap with joy to see you in it. You simply radiated and I love you even more for wearing it.
Looking down from the cooking, seeing you… you have no idea.. it was perfect.
You looked amazing in that dress and it fit you physically, emotionally and spiritually to a “T”
You are a Princess, in every way.
Love you
I encouraged you to own it, having no doubt that you would. I love that you didn’t even mention the supahstah you saw while wearing this dress, because it wasn’t even about that. It was just TIME for the princess to be seen.
Love you. xoxo
love your princess dress! It looks great on you!
I love this post, I love the dress (she is fabulous) and I LOVE the photos (especially the last one). And I totally agree, every girl should have a princess dress. I got to wear my princess dress just a few weeks ago as well at a gala event, it was fabulous!
No story comes to mind BUT … YOU DID LOOK BEAUTIFUL.
Lovely post, as always. xo
You know – I brought a dress and it stayed in the closet. When I got to the party, I was feeling like I should’ve worn it, but didn’t. So glad you decided to – you looked/look stunning and nothing is prettier than confidence in yourself.
Robin= G O R G E O U S !!!!
I love love love your story!! I don’t think you are crazy at all. I would love to be Carrie Underwood for one night..wearing beautiful, gorgeous dresses! The only thing Ive worn that has come close would be my wedding gown. I do the same thing in the mall…especially around Prom time..I see the dresses in the store fronts and realllly want to try them on. I even tried on my friend’s teenage daughters dress…just because! I like to try hats on too..It’s just plain FUN!
Oh..and yea, I named something when I was a child..the long hose to the vacuum cleaner..well she (vacuum as a whole)…was named Samantha…the hose reminded me of a snake..so my mother’s vacuum was Samantha the Snake..perhaps it made vacuuming more fun for me back then. (hmmmm…perhaps I should name my current vacuum)
You in your princess dress made the night for me!! 🙂
You were everything a princess should be – and looked like you had just stepped off a red carpet somewhere to come and grace us with an aura of lingering magic.
((hug))
I have to say that the pictures are beautiful, but they are just a smidge of the in-person beauty of that night. You owned it and I loved it.
I have a Princess dress too. I have never worn it anywhere. I bought it for a cruise but I didn’t take it because I felt it was a little “overboard” (pun intended). I took another dress instead and this little number has been in my closet for five years. I got it out today after I read your post on Facebook and I tried it on and took photos. I plan on wearing it now. Thanks for being so bold with yours. I always wanted a fancy prom type dress and I finally have one but am still wondering where to wear it.
I love this story and I loved seeing you rock that princess dress at Blissdom.
The dress I got to wear in my sister’s wedding is the fanciest thing I’ve owned since my own wedding. And before that it was prom dresses. After the wedding, I considered selling the dress on eBay to make a few, much needed dollars for the ole budget. My husband, who really liked that dress on me, convinced me to hang onto it…just in case I want to feel a bit like a princess again someday.
Love it
Awwwww you looked so gogrgeous and free and happy! Now I want one LOL!
Andrea S.
Amen, my sweet friend. Amen.
Oh Robin – this made me SO happy. So, so happy. To wrap your outer self with your inner princess – and we all get to see it. Beauty, satisfied, sure beauty and joy pour out of you. Can I tell you that ever since I saw that last photo of you in the Blissdom picture stream, I have wondered about that dress and the courage of the woman who wore it. Hearing the story behind the moment makes my tummy do the happy flip.
You are lovely in all the most important ways!
~Lisa-Jo
Oh, how I love this post! Are you bringing your princess dress again this year? I would wear one to Blissdom if I had one!
Love it! I saw you and your BFF that night at Blissdom, swaying to the croonings of Harry Connick Jr., and knew there had to be a good story behind this one. And there was. 😉
I think you started something…should be a “Princess” night every year! You’re wearing it again this year, yes?
\o/ Cheers! I LOVE this!
Yes, Now I’m on the Hunt for My Princess Dress! Yes, You are Crazy! The Lovely Fun Crazy that makes me Love Ya! I’ve learned to Celebrate LIFE. It made my Heart Dance when I read this, saw the photos & your current Post with photos which lead me here!
Oh Darlin’ You’re just a Treasure. I have a saying in my ministry that I tell God’s Girls every chance I get…”You are a Princess of the KING of kings! Own it. EnJOY it! Yes, I even have a Tiara of rhinestones! And I wear it too! I Even have a mink stole from a dear friend! Never dawned on me to Get The Dress! Duh! LOL! Love the Idea of a Day/event when women can be EnCouraged to wear their Princess on the Outside! Oh Bless Your Sweet Friends for EnCouraging you to wear your Beautiful Princess Dress at Blissdom!
My mind is swirling & hearing yards of toile rustling…with ideas…
I Pray that You have a Wonderful Evening Out to Celebrate that is Blessed to Overflowing Beyond even Your Inspired Imagination! I’ll watch for the Photos!
{HUGs} Love Ya! Susie 🙂