I have been financially reckless...

[tree_and_leaf]

... but Hobbs were having a 40% sale on evening wear.

It included The Dress (it's the oddly named Eckland piped dress) - and it looks fabulous on.

It is, I concede, an obscene amount of money to spend on a garment that's neither a winter coat nor a pair of shoes (I have ridiculously narrow feet: I have only once succeeded in finding shoes that fitted me for less than ninety pounds in the last five years). But it's gorgeous, and I love it, and I daresay it will last....

Comments

[shoebox2.livejournal.com]

It is gorgeous. And a classic enough style to carry you through anywhere. Well done. :)

[tree_and_leaf]

I love Hobbs' clothes - classic, but sharp enough that it doesn't look dull or stuffy.

The only trouble is that it needs pressed, and I'm a bit scared of ironing silk.

[scionofgrace.livejournal.com]

Silk irons pretty well, actually. I iron my silk robe (dressing gown) and haven't had any problems.

Great dress. As you said, classic. It is totally worth it to spend money on one good dress. I bought one this last summer, and considering it looks fabulous on me, I do not regret the higher price.

[tree_and_leaf]

Yes, it's much better to buy one good thing than lots of rubbish (well, where you can)! It's like Sam Vimes' theory of boots.

[helflaed.livejournal.com]

I usually iron it damp and on the wrong side.

That is a lovely dress and one which can be worn plenty of times.

[tree_and_leaf]

Thanks for the advice!

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

I am sure that it looks very good on you! I've been guilty about spending money on old fanzines where it really needs to be spent on clothes...

[tree_and_leaf]

In the immortal words of Erasmus: "When I have a little money, I buy books. If there's any left, I buy food"

[prelud.livejournal.com]

That is one seriously beautiful dress! Excellent choice!

[tree_and_leaf]

Thank you!

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

That is a very nice dress. Call it an investment and see if it seems less reckless...

(Another one saying silk is easy too iron. Not too high setting, but high enough for steam (or do it damp), on the reverse to see how it takes it. Or under a piece of brown paper.)

[helflaed.livejournal.com]

"Investment". Good term. I have one dress which cost me the princely sum of £80 nearly fifteen years ago, and I still wear it. I was horrified at the cost at the time, but in terms of "cost per wear" I've had very good value. Amazing thing- machine washable, doesn't need ironing and could be worn for almost anything except white tie!

[tree_and_leaf]

Ooh. I like your line of thought (and thanks for the advice re: silk).

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

That looks marvellous!

Ironing silk - one dot on the iron, on the reverse of the cloth, while it's still damp.

[thealmondtree.livejournal.com]

Alternatively some silk items will respond by dropping out their creases if hung in the bathroom while you have a bath/shower that steams up the room.

[tree_and_leaf]

Thanks, that's a bit less nerve-wracking and worth a go!

[lareinenoire.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's gorgeous! I love the colour. And it's got lovely lines.

I'm with nineveh_uk -- good clothing is an investment, and it almost always pays off. Although now that I know Hobbs is having a sale, I am now in danger of buying the summerweight Little Black Dress I've been eyeing despite my far more pressing need for new shoes...

[tree_and_leaf]

They do have some lovely LBDs....

[lareinenoire.livejournal.com]

They do, and they are very tempting. But I think I will wait until after New Year's Eve and see if something compelling appears. I do already have a really nice cocktail dress that I haven't worn in some time due to lack of an appropriate occasion...the only problem being that it's full-sleeved so I can't wear it in summer.

[telperion1.livejournal.com]

Gorgemous! I'm sure you'll turn heads in it, and as people have said, it's worth it to have one really smart outfit. (I hate dresses myself, and need to get a decent pantsuit or something for when I need to dress up.)

But I'd forgotten how expensive clothes were in the U.K. I poked around the site a bit. It's hard to believe I ever managed to buy new things when I weas living over there, especially with the pound-dollar conversion.

[tree_and_leaf]

Well, Hobbs is fairly expensive - it's not quite designer as such, but it's a cut above (hah!) the normal high street. But I don't normally shop there, and it's the first time I've bought anything that's not in the January sales - this wasn't full price either, but it wasn't sales atmosphere, so the sales staff were about being helpful, rather than frantically trying to restore order to chaos...

[dameboudicca.livejournal.com]

It really was a lovely dress - but I guess you're not helped by hearing that! ;)

[tree_and_leaf]

Oh, it's a lovely thing, and I am feeling less bad about buying it since I finally got my grant cheque today.

[dameboudicca.livejournal.com]

Go for it!

[thecatsamuel.livejournal.com]

It is fantastic and vvv important to have Nice Things not just utilitarian ones. Enjoy!

[rivrea.livejournal.com]

After having a look at the dress in question, I think it's a splendid investment.

[caulkhead.livejournal.com]

It is lovely. I am now trying to be strong-willed and not look at the rest of the site. Because while I agree with the theory of an 'investment dress', I have some difficulty in putting it into practice. As in, I have about five of them.

[tree_and_leaf]

Sounds more as if you're

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Sounds more as if you're <i<far too good</i> at putting it into practice....

[caulkhead.livejournal.com]

I think the theory is that you're meant to stop at one....