The only thing that made my THE one impractical was the color.....it happened 1.5 years ago. I had wanted a deep red, almost raspberry trench forever. I tried many over the years and never found a color that I liked. Then while at shoptoberfest, with the ladies, I found it at Banana Republic ! It was perfect. I left it because I did not want to pack it. When I got home 3 days later, it was sold out on line and I found out it was a limited edition that only stores in big cities got. I was crestfallen.

Oh Una, I remember that loss. : (

I still miss two perfect items from the 80s that I loved to death. The first was a blue brocade blazer that made me feel like a million bucks. It had a violent encounter with a bottle of nuoc mam (Vietnamese fish sauce) and multiple professional cleaners could not get the smell out. The second was the perfect pair of white wingtip oxfords. I wore those every day for at least three years until they literally fell apart on my feet. Since oxfords have made such a comeback the last few years I've kept my eyes open for a similar pair, but nothing has hit the right spot yet.

Oh, Angie. I'm so sorry that happened. I'm not generally sentimental about clothing but I know I'm in the minority and you must have been so upset.

Is there any consolation in the idea that a bride with very little means was probably overjoyed to find something so magnificent?

My own was probably the Magaschoni dress that Una and I were both ogling at Searle a few years ago. http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....killing-me I actually ordered it, but got a note the next day saying it was gone in every size.

Then it resurfaced on eBay recently in a deep midnight blue colorway, but in a bigger size than I needed, and I bought it just in case it could be tailored down. But it couldn't and I sent it back.

I wish I had bought it at the time, without hesitating so long that it was gone, even though I didn't "need" it.

Ohmigosh, I missed that about Angie's wedding dress. I imagine the horror, Angie!

Isabel - that's do sad. So close, and you had no idea you would not be able to order it. I hope you find another beautiful trench soon!!
MuseumGal - who knew fish sauce could be do dangerous? Gosh , that stuff must be potent. Blue brocade sounds so stunning. Being a jacket girl, that really hurts. Hope you find another gorgeous blazer!! Your oxfords sound amazing. It such a good time to shop oxfords perhaps something similar will come along. Fingers crossed for you!!
April - I remember your post when the dress resurfaced. Gorgeous dress - I can see why it haunts you. So sorry it did not work out. But eBay is a treasure trove, I'm still hoping another in the right size surfaces for you.