OK Ladies, We All Do It

hairymolly

Special events, weddings, communions, confirmations, races, social events, big do's. We go out and spend a fortune on that to die for designer outfit that we hope no one else will be wearing on the day, only to see it hang in the wardrobe forever.:( It cost way tooo much to give/throw away. What do/did you do with yours?

CathyMoran

Dress them down and wear them into work. The one exception being my wedding dress which I have not worn since.

I wear things more than once.
My special ocassion clothes are my favorite clothes, it would pain me to lock them away in the bad of the wardrobe.

LadyE

Mine hang in my wardrobe..

Id love to go to swap shop thingy where you can just swap your dress for the next event

Dudess

Not me. I only get occasion wear in Monsoon and I make sure it's something I'd wear again.

Lil' Smiler

Ok... well I think I only have my debs dress and my 21st dress to speak of. Didn't spend a fortune on them though. But have worn Debs dress for a ball and have not yet got to wear my 21st dress which I love. Was hoping my OH's work would have some sort of ball or event on where I could but the only thing they had on was a winter ball or something at christmas and didn't invite partners... yes I was gutted So am still waiting for an occasion to wear it again

I did buy 2 Karen Millen dresses on ebay for my 21st, but it turned out that they were slightly slightly too small because it fastens at the side, I have a widish back but am an 8. There was a problem with returning these so they have been sitting in my wardrobe since September. I am dying to wear them. I went to an alterations shop a few days before my 21st (it was a huge big saga of not being able to get a dress) and was told I was a "stupid girl" because i'm "obviously not an 8" :mad: She also said there was noting could be done and she made me cry

It seems to be that the band across the middle of the dress is satin but has no give in it. so i'm not sure what to do!!

Dudess

I think you should get some material that would blend in with that dress (which is beautiful btw), get a dressmaker to sew in a couple of panels (obviously not that **** who you went to - (s)he deserved to be complained or if (s)he's the most senior person, deserved a severe dressing down... sorry! But seriously, don't let such an ass treat you like that). Then I think you should stop waiting for an occasion and just wear it out for some drinks on a Saturday night - with your mates, your man, whomever. Maybe get your hair done that day, find a few accessories and enjoy yourself. Don't be so self conscious that you have to have a proper excuse to wear it just because it's kinda formal - it doesn't actually look that formal. It's your dress, you love it, so WEAR it!

Lil' Smiler

THanks for that Dudess, yeah I'm not trying to save it for any special occasion anymore, I hate that the 2 of them are just sitting there... I have the same one in black because I ordered 2 just in case 1 didn't arrive in time for my 21st!

My Mum and I were saying if it was possibly to take the zip out and attach some elastic to it, that should sort it. My lil Granny had a go, it seems like she just replaced the zip though... it's so annoying it's simply about2 inches 2 small!! And I'd say if i'd have gotten a 10 i'd be swimming in it!

bluedolphin

I'd say you should definitely be able to get something done with that. I've had zips taken out of two dresses now (er, I just got bigger boned :pac:) and replaced with corset ties instead. It's a pretty standard procedure. I'd say go into a proper dressmaker (as opposed to just an alterations place) and see what they suggest. I always find myself in that situation - one size of the dress fits fine except the zip won't go all the way up because I'm busty and have a wide back, but the next size up, while the zip closes, will be loose around the waist and above the chest. Infuriating!

Trinity

I mostly wear trouser suits to special occasions which you can always wear again.

I Dont spend a fortune on clothes, and definately dont go designer!! But recently bought john rocha (which i thought was very reasonable) for sons communion , dress and short sleeved cardigan and they are casual enough to wear again.

Any good stuff i am getting rid of i bung into the local charity shop.

hairymolly

LadyE wrote: »

Mine hang in my wardrobe..

Id love to go to swap shop thingy where you can just swap your dress for the next event

I'm so with you on the swap shop idea. Kills me to have really unique outfits in the wardrobe, never to be worn again, same circle of friends and occassions. Any ideas ladies?

Lil' Smiler

bluedolphin wrote: »

I'd say you should definitely be able to get something done with that. I've had zips taken out of two dresses now (er, I just got bigger boned :pac:) and replaced with corset ties instead. It's a pretty standard procedure. I'd say go into a proper dressmaker (as opposed to just an alterations place) and see what they suggest. I always find myself in that situation - one size of the dress fits fine except the zip won't go all the way up because I'm busty and have a wide back, but the next size up, while the zip closes, will be loose around the waist and above the chest. Infuriating!

It's odd, I am thin enough... but have extra bulk because I was a competitive gymnast so would have bigger arms & legs and then I have to do a lot of ork on my back coz I was extremely flexible. It's just a few inches!!

I thought sticking in a bit of elastic either side of the zip... then again I really don't know much about alternations. I'd have to find a dress makers actually.

Oh actually I did buy another dress on ebay then at christmas. and because of the dress drama from before i went with a 10...and it kinda hangs off me in bits! ent to exchange it but they didn't have them same colour and stuff so it' s just been hanging there. i think it's simple enough to take in though!

Peared

To my absolute shame I have a dress hanging in my wardrobe that cost €700 and was worn once last year, with matching shoes (Gina) that cost €650 and were also worn once. With said dress.

Sometimes I want to cry when I think about what I could do with that in Dundrum now.

Niamho!

the only thing i can think of...and it didn't cost me a **** load of money, is the dress i bought for my Christmas PArty there....its Black satin at the top and the bottom is all chiffon with Sparkles in it. i could never really wear it to anything again. maybe a weeding or something and they never happen.
but im gonna maybe wear it to next years chrimbo party coz im in a new job. but it depends where the party is. its one of those things that probably wont get worn again.

Trinity

hairymolly wrote: »

I'm so with you on the swap shop idea. Kills me to have really unique outfits in the wardrobe, never to be worn again, same circle of friends and occassions. Any ideas ladies?

Swap amongst yourselves, recycle the clothes! Stick them up on ebay maybe if you want money for them.

hairymolly

Peared wrote: »

To my absolute shame I have a dress hanging in my wardrobe that cost €700 and was worn once last year, with matching shoes (Gina) that cost €650 and were also worn once. With said dress.

Sometimes I want to cry when I think about what I could do with that in Dundrum now.

Thats what I'm talking about. The whole concept of e-bay... not my scene, just looking for a more 'local' outlet, that would offer a reasonable fraction of the cost for resale.

Pythia

Lil' Smiler wrote: »

That dress is so pretty! I want! I'm not an 8 though.

bluedolphin

All the clothes I bought for my work experience are still hanging in the wardrobe. Morbidly enough they get aired for removals and/or funerals. I am not a trousers-and-shirt person. Casual office dress ftw! I've a few dresses but I've worn them all more than once because I've a tendency to gatecrash college balls. I'm more prone to buying shoes I'll never wear/only wear once because I'm a size 3/4 so can easily get them on sale racks at the end of sales. I should learn that shoes are left on sale racks going for half nothing for a reason.

Lil' Smiler

Pythia wrote: »

That dress is so pretty! I want! I'm not an 8 though.

I know and it's killing me that it's just sitting there.. sorry that the 2 of them are sitting there!!

I have a huge amount of dresses and most of them do just sit in my wardrobe but i could wear them, i suppose i just choose not to. i recently got a black dress in Zara that I love so much, can wear it as casual or dressed up! love it!

I'm gonna have a look at the dress now and see what I can do... well what could maybe be done. don't like those side zips :mad:

cuckoo

I tend to buy plain-ish dresses, then change my hair and accessories. I got 4 weddings in a row out of my 'winter weddings' dress.

Was looking at my 'summer weddings' dress today, and it somehow makes me look pregnant. First wedding of the season is on Saturday, so it'll get an outing then, and afterwards might be put on hold in case i do end up pregnant (immaculate conception, ftw!) and have a formal do to go to.

It's fun getting dressed up, but sometimes i do feel a little envious of the males as they reach for the trusty suit and give their trusty shoes a quick polish.

Anyone ever go to an event and spot someone else wearing the exact same outfit? I'm beginning to get a little anxious about that - i bought the 'summer weddings' dress in Principles and it's been in all their shops for ages. It would be just my luck that someone else will be wearing it on Saturday, and they won't look at all pregnant in it.

watna

One of my bfs friends sews a lot and is very handy with a needle. We were out last night and she had on this lovely wine coloured dress with boots and a cardie. The dress was a bridesmaids dress that she shortened so she could wear it again.

After seeing how good and unique she looked in it I'm determined to to a dress making course so good clothes I have don't have to sit in my wardrobe!

OP, maybe you could do a course too and then you'd be able to alter your own clothes to what you like?

Crumble Froo

Dudess wrote: »

Not me. I only get occasion wear in Monsoon and I make sure it's something I'd wear again.

ditto.

Ginny

Same here, my "Wedding Dresses" tend to comoe from Dunnes Savidsa range, Monsoon or Principles, although I'm always worried someone else will be wearing the same dress when I show up.

jezza

4 debs dresses
1 bridesmaid dress
and various other purchases in the wardrobe that seemed like a good idea to buy at the time. I dunno, I hate wearing "going out" clothes every weekend, or every night in college. An outfit a week isn't gonna break the bank. Might as well treat yourself.

rugbug86

I've a few dresses but I don't spend more than €100 on them, I get them either on sale or just cheap dresses But I nearly always wear them again. If I see a dress I'll buy it, even if I haven't an event planned. And then if a formal thing pops up last minute I'm always ready

I've a great shoe collection too - gold, silver and black sandals that are interchanged based on the dress

I tend to spend more on shoes than on dresses.

xzanti

I never really go for the whole evening ball dress thing, I'll usually go for something re-wearable like a nice Karen Millen frock or pant suit etc..

allabouteve

I try to buy things I can wear repeatedly, some colours and styles are too memorable though and you can only wear them to occasions in different social circles, I have a beautiful DvF wrap dress in red that I've only had limited wear from as its so striking, but if I'd had the sense to buy a black one, I'd be able to accessorize it differently etc.

LouOB

Got really really nice dress from Macys last year for BF sisters wedding - 350dollar - rate was only 1.20 at the time
People in the hotel were asking where i got it and others who seen dress in wedding pictures wanted it. Was delighted with myself. This was last july and I bought it in june.

I was out in dublin few weeks ago - seen girl wearing this dress in a pub
I mean this dress is ultra glam - think latte and cream silk. Some water spilled on dress would leave mark. But she was wearing my dress (only to be gotten in NY) in a pub. I had heart attack, thought I was only person to have this on our little island ;-(

hairymolly

LouOB wrote: »

Got really really nice dress from Macys last year for BF sisters wedding - 350dollar - rate was only 1.20 at the time
People in the hotel were asking where i got it and others who seen dress in wedding pictures wanted it. Was delighted with myself. This was last july and I bought it in june.

I was out in dublin few weeks ago - seen girl wearing this dress in a pub
I mean this dress is ultra glam - think latte and cream silk. Some water spilled on dress would leave mark. But she was wearing my dress (only to be gotten in NY) in a pub. I had heart attack, thought I was only person to have this on our little island ;-(

ooh you must have been so p****d off, especially when you bought it in NY, what are odds of that happening!!!!:mad: worse still to see it in a pub. ugh

Agent Smith

CathyMoran wrote: »

Dress them down and wear them into work. The one exception being my wedding dress which I have not worn since.

Honnest question, Why do women keep theirs? My mum has had hers for nearly 30 years at this point, and it just sits in her wardrobe.

Crazy Catlady

Mr.Blue Sky wrote: »

Honnest question, Why do women keep theirs? My mum has had hers for nearly 30 years at this point, and it just sits in her wardrobe.

I still have mine, but its been reused at about 7 debs up and down the country at this stage. It was made by my mam, so its been bargintastic.
No doubt it'll be used for fancy dress in the near future.:)

John Mason

i have worn the same outfit to 12 weddings so far and it is making another outing in august.

why would anyone spend money buying clothes they only wear once

Blush_01

My first debs dress has been worn about 3 times and is very plain burgundy purple coloured raw satin with a sweetheart neckline and batwing sleeves. The second only got the one outing - I love the skirt, it has a train that hooks up and is red satin, but the top has a sort of faux-wrap-with-pleated-tuck thing (looked lovely on the pattern, pity the dressmaker decided not to take the time to do the pleats properly and just stuffed the fabric in on the left rather than making it sit right) and it's not really suitable for anything I've been to since. I might try to get another top made to go with the skirt in black. Other than that I have one nasty black dress that only gets worn as a skirt under things and my standard LBD which has been out and about so many times at this stage that it's well paid for. I don't dress up. I'd never buy something that I thought I'd only get one wear out of, and I don't spend obscene amounts of money on dresses.

yummycake

irishbird wrote: »

why would anyone spend money buying clothes they only wear once

Yeah it's a complete waste of money.
If you liked the outfit/dress sooo much that you had to pay sooo much money for it why would you only wear it once!

Clink

The problem with recycling the same dress too much these days is Facebook. I would have gotten away with it until all my friends started posting pics of all their weddings and social events on to the site

Loopy

Everything I buy I get great use out of.

For occasions myself and friends swap and wear each other's dress's sometimes.

Then its all passed on to my younger sisters..