We all know how nerve racking it is meeting your boyfriend’s parents for the first time. Try meeting the entire family, at a Greek christening, in Brooklyn. This was the case when I met my last boyfriend’s family. I was so nervous and desperate to make a good first impression. I had to have the perfect dress....and I found it. Remember in my rehearsal dinner post I said there was a story about the dress I wore to Violet’s dinner? Well here’s the story. I should let you know before you continue reading if you do not have a general knowledge of Long Island geography you might want to reference a map to get the full effect.
Since I am one of the world’s greatest procrastinators I waited until the day before the event to find a dress. The best advice I can ever give DO NOT DO THIS. Please give yourself more time. I started my search at Lord and Taylor in Manhasset. That’s where I found it. The perfect dress. It was BCBG, brown jersey halter top with a patterned scarf bottom. The second I saw it I knew I had to have it. It was $300 but I didn’t care. The problem was the only one they had was 2 sizes too big. I tried on several others while I was there but it didn’t matter. My mind was made up. This dress was “the one” and I had to find it in my size. So I raced over to Roosevelt Field mall, checked almost every store and managed to find 2, neither of which were my size. Now I was getting frustrated. It was 6 pm on a Friday. I was running out of time until the stores closed. The christening was at noon the next day so it’s not like I could have ran to look for something in the morning
I called the first store in Manhasset and described the dress. I asked if ANY other store had it in stock. They said, “yes actually the Garden City location has your size The girls there will put it on hold for you”. PERFECT!! I ran over there immediately. My heart literally sank as the girl behind the counter pulled out the wrong dress. Now I was practically in tears. As I was describing the dress yet again to one associate, another overheard me. “I know exactly what dress you’re talking about”. She checked the computer. “There is only one left on Long Island in your size. It’s at Walt Whitman mall. They close in an hour.” I told her to please have them put in on hold as I ran out the door. I can’t believe I made it there without getting a speeding ticket. I flew through the doors just as they were announcing that the store would be closing in 15 minutes. I ran to the desk where they had the dress on hold. This was it!! I tried it on quickly and it fit perfectly. I will never forget that feeling. That wave of relief, that indescribable high... I didn’t even feel the slightest tinge of guilt as I handed over my credit card.
The next day went very smoothly. I was comfortable, confident and I made a great first impression. Everyone was very welcoming. I really think my level of comfort had quite a lot to do with my outfit. I felt amazing in my dress and had a hard time even taking it off that night. I wanted to stay in it forever. Over the years it’s been worn quite a bit. Not only by me but by both of my sisters, Olive and Eleanor. If ever it’s missing I know one of them has it.
Here’s my advice. One of the greatest feelings is walking into a room KNOWING you look great. That feeling will shine through when you’re interacting with people. I think that’s why it’s so important to wear something you’re happy in when making that first impression. If you find an outfit, whatever it may be, that you know in your heart is “the one” do whatever you have to do to get it. Sure you can settle but you will not be completely happy with anything else. Sometimes you need to splurge. Sometimes you need to spend 5 hours driving all over Long Island for one article of clothing. Trust me if you love it as much as I love mine you’ll get enough use out of it that it’ll be completely worth it.
No comments:
Post a Comment