Saturday, July 26

A Perfect Fit ~ in Green


Did you ever have a dress or a piece of clothing that made you feel like a million bucks when you wore it? I did, back in 1960. I worked at a department store that summer and whenever there were going to be sales, employees got advance notice. The Diamond had a special *high-class* (and high dollar) department, where they sold better labels and clothing by designers. I used to haunt that place and dream about being able to buy something, but their prices were always above my means. That summer a sale was announced for July 5th. I had been watching a beautiful silk dress by Oleg Cassini, who was well-known as Jackie Kennedy's preferred designer. This dress would be the equivalent of "the little black dress", except it was emerald green. The sheath was shaped well to show every curve, had short sleeves and a boat neck. I had been hoping it would be reduced, but I thought for certain that it would be bought before it could go on sale. There was only one, and it was size six. I could not have worn a size six in my usual clothing, but in designer wear, a six was equivalent to a regular size 10. At 5'10" and about 118 lbs., it fit me perfectly.

I got to the store early that morning, and as soon as the bell announced the store opening, I ran to the "fancy" department to find my dress. It was originally $150 and it had been marked down to $80. That was still a lot of money for me (age 19), but I was determined. With my employee discount, I decided the dress was worth it and I put it on layaway. I don't know how long I had to pay before I could take it home, but when I did, it was a special day! That dress was better made than anything I've ever worn. It was lined in fabric almost as luxurious as the silk of the exterior; the seams were all finished so that there was no chance for them to ravel and there were no loose threads or bulges anywhere. It was so well made that I could have worn it inside-out and hardly anyone would have known.

That dress was so perfect for me that I kept it long after it went out of style (and I outgrew it). As I write this, I am reminded of 2 other green dresses that I liked almost as much. One was a darker emerald green satin cocktail dress and the other was a hunter green wool knit with a dropped waist and inverted box pleats. And another (LOL) a pale celery green sleeveless knit dress with a flared skirt. Now that I think about it - every favorite dress I ever had was green! I wish I had a photo of the Cassini dress so you could see it. You'll just have to take my word for it.



14 comments:

Star said...

Green dresses, green frogs. A connection there somewhere I think. What did you do wth the dress when you finally parted with it?

Anonymous said...

I love green! My favourite colour!

Bear Naked said...

How very fortunate you were to have obtained an Oleg Cassini dress.
Emerald green is a beautiful colour.
Do you remember what happened to the dress?

Bear((( )))

Granny Annie said...

5'10" and 118 lbs!!! I picture a svelte model.

Gary ("Old Dude") said...

I love it when you talk dirty (----could have worn the dress inside out---).

Gary (aka Old Dude)
http://threescoreplusten.blogspot.com/

JeanMac said...

I love your dress story - what really hit me, today young people and old, would whip out a credit card if they didn't have funds.

Nepharia said...

So what ever happened to those dresses?

MorahMommy said...

What a lovely story. I was sitting here hoping that the dress would be yours. I bet you looked marvelous in it!

Green is a lovely colour. It's my older son's favourite colour. My mother once bought green nail polish and painted her toes green!

Unknown said...

What a luxurious green. I'll bet you looked stunning in it. At 5' 10" and 118 lbs. I'm sure you could have looked stunning in a potato sack!

denverdoc said...

I wish you had a photograph as well. What a fabulous dress for a 19 year old, or for anyone for that matter? It would be quite the vintage find in the back of your closet today.

millie garfield said...

You write about a dress from the 60's. My friend just told me about what recently happened to her going away outfit that she wore at her wedding 60 years ago. She kept it all these years.

She recently moved and hired a person to help her pack.

The woman saw that special outfit and said she would take it to a consignment store. She just gave my friend a check for $160.00!!!!!!!

Bar L. said...

I loved reading about your little green dress! It sounds divine. What a great memory. I wish you had a photo of yourself in the dress to share?????????

Rue said...

Hi Judy :)

I have an outfit like that. It's a Ralph Lauren Couture tuxedo jacket and skirt in a size 6. I will never see that size again thanks to two cesareans, but I still have it. I wore it until it almost fell apart :)

rue

Shephard said...

Love an emerald green dress. :) I bet you looked stunning in it.
~S