This post's title makes a mere passing allusion to the actual novel by Wilkie Collins. I always meant to read it but it turned out to be one of those novels that I'd pick up and put down soon after. And since I was donned from top to bottom in white, I thought, "Why not?" This dress is super old. It's been in my closet since my middle school years (I've already graduated college!). I beginning to think it's about time to let this one go. It's such a lovely dress though!

I tend to avoid shift dresses because my large bum usually turns it into something else - a loose, ill-fitting bodycon dress, if you will. But once in a blue moon, a darling dress like this comes along, waiting for me to snatch it up. I found it in the sale section of Forever 21. No more than $10, if I remember correctly. It's an old dress but it's held up well over the years. I was drawn to the floral crochet lace overlay pattern that allowed a bit of the soft blue lining to show through. I can only ever see myself wearing it in the summer time, but we'll see. I thought I'd mix it up with this mustard polka dot print blouse. It's another one of my purchases from Japan. The boutiques there sell the cutest things. If I had room in my luggage, I would have come home with so much more.

Now that I'm older (and wiser), I am able to discern the quality of product. I learned a lot about the quality of fabrics and the construction of clothes when I was working in the Fashion District. I wish I had that knowledge when I was younger. I would have carefully examined the fabric and stitching before buying. If it met my standards and the price was reasonable, I would allow myself to buy it. Of course, this also applies when I go thrift shopping. These days, I've developed such a critical eye that it makes shopping almost impossible. What have I done...!

Remember what I said about wearing white? Well, I was lured in by the lovely embroidery and the light, airy material. It was the perfect summer dress. The fact that it is such an immaculate white is reason enough for me to fear for its life. We often go out during the weekends and one of things we love to do is eat. And I am a rather messy eater (I believe I've mentioned this before). Wretchedly so. It's atrocious. John often wonders how I possess such an unsightly habit of eating when I am diligent in grooming myself. Certainly, I wonder, too. I might as well just use the dress as a napkin. It'll end up getting dirty somehow even if I'm being super careful. I was quite fortunate this weekend though. I can say, it's made a clean escape...!

What I wore:

Dress: Forever 21

Sandals: Vince Camuto via Burlington's

Hat: Forever 21

Backpack: Target