Almost a year ago, I purchased a cream colored, vintage, 1920s hand-made lace dress. Each stitch, button, hook and eye were perfectly sewn with such detail, love and devotion that calling this article of clothing a “dress” does not do it justice. It is a garment so artfully crafted that it, quite honestly, could or should be put on display in a museum. The moment I saw the dress, it was like I had been reunited with a long, lost friend that had somehow lost its way … but eventually found its way back me. Despite my uncanny connection with this glorious treasure, not once did I showcase this masterpiece.

For all the reasons that I loved the dress, these were the same reasons why I chose, for all this time, not to wear the dress. Truth be told, the dress was completely out of my comfort zone. It’s a statement piece. It’s elegant yet a bit eccentric. It’s bold yet a timeless beauty. It’s understated yet speaks volumes. As a former prosecutor and trial attorney, we live in shades of gray. No pinks, no greens, no yellows or purples. I remember distinctly the State Attorney’s Office “dress code” lecture from orientation like it was yesterday. Dark colored suits, preferably navy, black or gray, closed toed shoes and my favorite … pantyhose. (Side bar: If someone can tell me something worse than having to wear pantyhose in 110° heat (and sometimes rain) while schlepping file boxes to and from criminal court all day, please let me know! Vile.)  All in all, a prosecutor is taught to blend into the scenery and is not to be the focus of the case.  Not very fashionable. 

After much protest, I agreed to allow one of my fashion forward friends to revamp my shoes, clothing selection and make-up. A few months ago I needed a “pick me up” so my good friend took me shopping and forced me to try new looks that I never thought I could pull off in a million years! Much to my surprise, everything she picked out for me was unique, versatile and gave me a new spring to my step. That is not to say that I didn’t try to slip into the cart an “oldie but goodie.”  I will never forget the look on my friend’s face when she pulled out of the cart a black dress with ruffles and looked at me with such disgust and said, “how that get in here!?” All I could do was laugh hysterically since I was busted like a kid with her hand in the non-project runway cookie jar. (Side bar: I thought about using the SODDI [Some Other Dude Did It] defense … but I knew this wouldn’t fly since she is also a former prosecutor herself!) So I took my lashings and put the dress back on the rack. Ironically, someone twice my age immediately grabbed the dress and put it in her cart … which one can only imagine the fuel this added to my fashion forward friend’s argument and insight on my clothing selection.

Over time, my good friend has convinced me that expressing yourself through color, fashion and accessories is empowering, inspirational and refreshing. She has taught me that you can be sexy, smart and sophisticated without compromising your integrity or professionalism simply by trying something different and stepping out of your comfort zone. When you feel good, you look good. I finally built up the courage after a year to wear my beautiful, vintage gown to an event. … and it was the most fashionable decision I’ve made in a long time. As I walked into the event, I got a string of texts from my fashion forward friend which were in sum, “Be confident … own the fact that you look gorgeous and chic … let go of your insecurities … You can be all things.” Enough said. Case Closed.

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