We have all been there and it's not pretty, you bought the perfect dress for a special night out or event, you go to put it on and something awful has happened....it has a tear, it doesn't fit, a strap broke....or worse it looked amazing in the fitting room (I'm convinced some stores have fun house mirrors) and you get it home and....hate it. Here are a few ways to make sure you still look and feel FABULOUS!
1. Have a backup in mind... ALWAYS.
This may seem obvious but you need a backup look in your closet at all times. That means having shoes, jewelry, hair and makeup all mentally planned and ready to go. Sort of like carrying Advil in your purse for an emergency, you need to have a party look ready to go at the drop of a hat. Pick a dress or outfit that has some stretch to it and that will accommodate any highs and lows you may be experiencing, or a loose sheath style. I have a little black silk dress that's loose and it doesn't matter if I'm bloated or at my fighting weight. It works with boots, wedges and pumps. I can switch up my jewelry to dress it up or down. I also have white dress like this and an orange one. I have worn these "backup" looks enough to replace my backups!
This dress is similar to a "back up" I have. I can layer fun babbles with it and dress it up or I can throw on a scarf and leather jacket with boots. It's light weight for travel and is ultra accommodating if I'm feeling a bit bloated.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tildon-racerback-shift-dress/4032537?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Black&resultback=1420
Think outside the box. It doesn't always have to be a LBD. Sometimes a natural hue can be just as chic and dressy. I would add a big statement necklace or layered gold chains and simple earrings. This dress has endless possibilities.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tildon-boatneck-crepe-shift-dress/3636280?origin=related-3636280-0-1-PP_4-Rich_Relevance_Recs_API-250459&recs_type=related&recs_productId=3636280&recs_categoryId=0&recs_productOrder=1&recs_placementId=PP_4&recs_source=Rich_Relevance_Recs_API&recs_strategy=250459&recs_referringPageType=item_page
Ditto for this, it's simple and can be dressed up or down. I'd throw this on over leather leggings or wear espadrilles and big hoop earrings.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/astr-lace-trim-shift-dress/3834256?origin=related-3834256-0-3-PP_4-Rich_Relevance_Recs_API-250459&recs_type=related&recs_productId=3834256&recs_categoryId=0&recs_productOrder=3&recs_placementId=PP_4&recs_source=Rich_Relevance_Recs_API&recs_strategy=250459&recs_referringPageType=item_page
*Be sure your back up dress is solid and without print so if you have to wear it multiple times and you're photographed you can make your look fresh with different accessories each time.
2. Don't neglect undergarments!
This is literally the biggest overlooked game-changer. Undergarments can do what no gym, plastic surgeon or magic fairy can do. There is a world of possibilities. Go and stock up for any and every cut of dress. You won't be sorry!
Just this past weekend I went to put on a dress that I had worn once before. It fit like a like couture in the store then when I went to put it on again it just didn't fit as well. To start the dress wasn't very fitted and it was strapless. I even had my back up dress on stand by but my heart was set on this simple back strapless. I decided to double up on my strapless bra's. I first put on the one that was the snuggest, then a looser one over it for double support. I will admit it wasn't the most comfortable thing but, a girls has to do what a girl has to do sometimes!
3. Needle and thread....
I used to be terrified of this combo. Growing up I handed anything that needed mending to my very capable mom. Once I left home for college I took things to the dry cleaner if they needed attention. Recently I've been in a few situations where I've only had the option of bucking up and doing it myself. It's not difficult and with a little practice it is well worth acquiring this skill....I PROMISE you will find yourself in a situation where you wish you knew how to stitch a busted strap or unsightly tear.
4. Lemon water the day before.
I swear by this. I guzzle lemon water for a few days before an event. If the dress is snug it will help. I also like to feel my best before I go somewhere special so if there is a dress mishap I don't feel bad from the inside out. If I eat heavily salted foods in the days before an event I feel bloated and icky. I also notice it helps my skin and mood to not feel weighted down with heavy meals.
5. Don't forget your coat or wrap.
Unless you are attending something in sweltering heat with no opportunity to go indoors then you'll need a coat or wrap. I always find this last piece of the puzzle to either be a life saver or the most difficult part of the ensemble. If you'll be indoors where the air-conditioned will be cranked up or it's winter, sometimes a blazer or sweater can be just the perfect thing to hide any dress mishaps and you can still wear an overcoat.
I remember one time when I was pregnant I bought a cute dress to wear to a wedding. Two weeks later on the day of the event I went to put my dress on and it wouldn't zip up. I didn't have a back up dress and the one I was attempting to squeeze into was the closest thing I owned to something that fit. I put a long silk coat with three quarter length sleeves that went with a different dress. I changed my jewelry and wore a long necklace to go with the long coat and pinned the dress in the back. Needless to say I never took the coat off and a lesson was learned...the hard way.
Lastly.....
I've had many dress mishaps, too many to count. Now, I try to be as prepared as possible I have tape, thread, stain remover and everything in-between in a convenient little "emergency bag". I made it myself based on accidents I've had in the past and it has saved me more than once. Not to mention my friends or strangers. But alas, one thing I know for sure... once you have a glass of bubbly most of your dress woes will fade away and you'll have a fabulous evening!
1. Have a backup in mind... ALWAYS.
This may seem obvious but you need a backup look in your closet at all times. That means having shoes, jewelry, hair and makeup all mentally planned and ready to go. Sort of like carrying Advil in your purse for an emergency, you need to have a party look ready to go at the drop of a hat. Pick a dress or outfit that has some stretch to it and that will accommodate any highs and lows you may be experiencing, or a loose sheath style. I have a little black silk dress that's loose and it doesn't matter if I'm bloated or at my fighting weight. It works with boots, wedges and pumps. I can switch up my jewelry to dress it up or down. I also have white dress like this and an orange one. I have worn these "backup" looks enough to replace my backups!
This dress is similar to a "back up" I have. I can layer fun babbles with it and dress it up or I can throw on a scarf and leather jacket with boots. It's light weight for travel and is ultra accommodating if I'm feeling a bit bloated.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tildon-racerback-shift-dress/4032537?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Black&resultback=1420
Think outside the box. It doesn't always have to be a LBD. Sometimes a natural hue can be just as chic and dressy. I would add a big statement necklace or layered gold chains and simple earrings. This dress has endless possibilities.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tildon-boatneck-crepe-shift-dress/3636280?origin=related-3636280-0-1-PP_4-Rich_Relevance_Recs_API-250459&recs_type=related&recs_productId=3636280&recs_categoryId=0&recs_productOrder=1&recs_placementId=PP_4&recs_source=Rich_Relevance_Recs_API&recs_strategy=250459&recs_referringPageType=item_page
Ditto for this, it's simple and can be dressed up or down. I'd throw this on over leather leggings or wear espadrilles and big hoop earrings.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/astr-lace-trim-shift-dress/3834256?origin=related-3834256-0-3-PP_4-Rich_Relevance_Recs_API-250459&recs_type=related&recs_productId=3834256&recs_categoryId=0&recs_productOrder=3&recs_placementId=PP_4&recs_source=Rich_Relevance_Recs_API&recs_strategy=250459&recs_referringPageType=item_page
*Be sure your back up dress is solid and without print so if you have to wear it multiple times and you're photographed you can make your look fresh with different accessories each time.
2. Don't neglect undergarments!
This is literally the biggest overlooked game-changer. Undergarments can do what no gym, plastic surgeon or magic fairy can do. There is a world of possibilities. Go and stock up for any and every cut of dress. You won't be sorry!
Just this past weekend I went to put on a dress that I had worn once before. It fit like a like couture in the store then when I went to put it on again it just didn't fit as well. To start the dress wasn't very fitted and it was strapless. I even had my back up dress on stand by but my heart was set on this simple back strapless. I decided to double up on my strapless bra's. I first put on the one that was the snuggest, then a looser one over it for double support. I will admit it wasn't the most comfortable thing but, a girls has to do what a girl has to do sometimes!
3. Needle and thread....
I used to be terrified of this combo. Growing up I handed anything that needed mending to my very capable mom. Once I left home for college I took things to the dry cleaner if they needed attention. Recently I've been in a few situations where I've only had the option of bucking up and doing it myself. It's not difficult and with a little practice it is well worth acquiring this skill....I PROMISE you will find yourself in a situation where you wish you knew how to stitch a busted strap or unsightly tear.
4. Lemon water the day before.
I swear by this. I guzzle lemon water for a few days before an event. If the dress is snug it will help. I also like to feel my best before I go somewhere special so if there is a dress mishap I don't feel bad from the inside out. If I eat heavily salted foods in the days before an event I feel bloated and icky. I also notice it helps my skin and mood to not feel weighted down with heavy meals.
5. Don't forget your coat or wrap.
Unless you are attending something in sweltering heat with no opportunity to go indoors then you'll need a coat or wrap. I always find this last piece of the puzzle to either be a life saver or the most difficult part of the ensemble. If you'll be indoors where the air-conditioned will be cranked up or it's winter, sometimes a blazer or sweater can be just the perfect thing to hide any dress mishaps and you can still wear an overcoat.
I remember one time when I was pregnant I bought a cute dress to wear to a wedding. Two weeks later on the day of the event I went to put my dress on and it wouldn't zip up. I didn't have a back up dress and the one I was attempting to squeeze into was the closest thing I owned to something that fit. I put a long silk coat with three quarter length sleeves that went with a different dress. I changed my jewelry and wore a long necklace to go with the long coat and pinned the dress in the back. Needless to say I never took the coat off and a lesson was learned...the hard way.
Lastly.....
I've had many dress mishaps, too many to count. Now, I try to be as prepared as possible I have tape, thread, stain remover and everything in-between in a convenient little "emergency bag". I made it myself based on accidents I've had in the past and it has saved me more than once. Not to mention my friends or strangers. But alas, one thing I know for sure... once you have a glass of bubbly most of your dress woes will fade away and you'll have a fabulous evening!
