Thank you Gryffin - I returned the dress!

I have a hard time returning items when I am in love with the idea of them, even if my head tells me that it is just not going to work.

This recently happened to me when I spied this dress on the Outnet. It was so perfect for me EXCEPT it did not fit. At first I was thinking should I hold onto it and wait until I lose weight (cause I am always intending to lose about 5lbs...) I can't get the next size up because this was the very last dress that they had and no further sizes.

Then I remembered the wonderful advice that Gryffin recently gave me about her personal rule:

"I am an internet shopper. If it doesn't fit it must be reboxed and sent back within 24 hr, unless I am trying it with things or waiting for a different size. I will tell you my personal rule. If you love it so much that must immediately go into protective custody and you could not physically pack it back up, you've got a winner. If you can rebox it without angst, it's just not good enough. That's helped me a lot."

So whilst the dress is divine, it needs to go to someone who it actually fits (slaps forehead - I mean what on earth was I thinking...). It is now boxed up and the courier will collect it tomorrow.

Thank you Gryffin. I would otherwise have possibly had that dress in my closet for 5 years barely if ever worn and I know I would have regretted the purchase. You helped me make the right decision. Both me and the beautiful dress are better off this way.

Dress - REDValentino from Outnet - one will soon be in stock in Size 40 / US Size 4

5 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Good for you! (but what a shame about the fit, it's such a great dress!)

NancyW

Self-talk (mantra) at its most positive and productive!

I am going to add this to my own self-talk! Thanks to both of you.

Style Fan

I need to add this to my list of self-talk. Thank you.

Stagiaire Fash

I know the siren call of the idea of an item, and how it can win out over reality. Good for you for recognizing it, and acting on that, even with such a cute dress! Where DID they get that fabric? I’d love to get something made from it for my mom.

gryffin

Bijou - wow! I am so happy anything I said helped you!! It's a beautiful dress and gosh, I hear you, I've been in that place. As fashintern says the "siren's call of the idea of an item." It's so alluring and so destructive to happiness and bank account!! So well done and kudos!! Hard as it is there will be something that's both glorious and perfect hopefully very soon. And you, smart girl, will then have plenty of cash to purchase it!! That's such an unusual fabric. Did you google the brand? Is there a top, a scarf, bag, something else in that pattern? I'm glad if the technique worked for you. I've been really following my own advice. My new Frye Shane tipped booties, I did not want to take them off to sleep. Despite the Equipment Quincy jacket coming so creased I needed to get out the steamer, no way was it getting near the box. Bad box!! Out, out damn box!! And they are already workhorses. If you wait for that feeling I think you'll be very happy. But there is still sadness and wistfulness at the not quite rights, but you know, those items were always better in fantasy!! Hugs to you Bijou! I can't wait to hear about the purchase that makes you take all the boxes to recycle!! That's when you know...yup, it's perfect!!

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Bijou

ElizabethP - thank you for the commiserations. It is a fun print.

NancyW - Yes, Gryffin's advice really helped me make the right decision.

StyleFan - you always seem so disciplined and considered in your purchases. You have a wonderful and defined colour palette, I am sure you don't make too many mistakes like this.

FashIntern - the dress is by REDValentino. I think they have the fabric custom made for the brand as it gets used as a distinct print from time to time.

Gryffin - thank you for your response and your advice. Now that the dress has gone back, I feel a sense of relief. Doing the right thing makes you feel like that, thank you for helping me make that decision.

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