Well, taking a break from my obsession with politics for a while, I was distracted (thankfully) by Jeri’s (Elderjane) post lamenting how difficult it was to find the perfect little black dress. As it happens, the marketing fairies posted a couple of links on her blog titled “The Little Black Dress”. So I clicked on them and found at least 3 or 4 I might consider, assuming my size was available and then I copied one photo and posted it (For Jeri).

Meanwhile, my mind wandered back to the days when the possession of a little black dress was absolutely the only way to be alive and I found myself lamenting the lack of occasions to wear one, especially since I have lost some weight over the past 18 months.

Some years back I bought a black sheath – form fitting, with lace sleeves, – in a resale shop. I wore it with high (oh so high, I had a nosebleed) black silk pumps, to the office Christmas party. I introduced myself as Doris Day.

The other dresses in the store links I perused were godawful. The models, lately, have taken to posing in awkward ways. I suppose their handlers think gaucherie is endearing. Some of them are modeling clothes for fuller figures but they are all wrong for the full figure, accentuating the problems rather than masking them. One dress I liked on a voluptuous model, was nicely cut, but her pose made her look like a hooker.

Other dresses on chunky teenagers made them look like misfits at a costume party.

I can’t say my teenage taste was always impeccable but I would have hidden in a closet rather than wear some of this stuff.

And I am reminded of a “50’s” party Ed and I went to (I posted about it on Blogster). One woman showed up as Marilyn Monroe in a white dress reminiscent of the dress Marilyn wore when she stood on the subway grate. But her days as a Marilyn Monroe look-alike had passed. She looked more like Sophie Tucker on drugs.

It wasn’t a great party anyway. The snacks were cheap cheese and dry crackers and olives and jello. I forgave them because I think it was for a charity. The only thing that saved it was the cash bar.

xx, Teal