Observed

While taking inventory earlier this week, I made the following observations.

Bad Sizes

Sizes are all over the map. Not only are dress sizes inconsistent between labels, the sizes of dresses from the same label are inconsistent, too. I knew this before, but doing inventory affirmed what I already knew.

I bought a black sequins cocktail dress from a consignment shop a few years ago. The label was Dress Barn; the size was 14. I was wearing a size 16 or 18 back then and I was surprised that the size 14 Dress Barn confection was actually a little big on me (go figure), but I purchased it anyway because it was only $5. Needless to say, I was swimming in the dress when I tried it on this week and it ended up in the discard pile.

And although I am usually a size 12 these days, some of my old size 14's and 16's fit fine and were keepers.

Dead Brands

I own many nice dresses from labels that no longer exist: Newport News, Spiegel, Fashion Bug.

Back when I did all my womenswear shopping online, Newport News and Spiegel were my best friends. When I finally started shopping in person (in girl and boy mode), Fashion Bug became my new friend.

I miss my old friends.

Wearing Unique Vintage (Source: Unique Vintage)

Enrie Scielzo, male womenswear model

Sizing Me Up

One week ago, I mentioned here that "I fell in love with this Dress Barn outfit and had to buy it when I discovered it was on sale (40% off) on Cyber Monday."

It arrived on Saturday and I immediately tried it on to see how it looked and fit.

The dress looked absolutely gorgeous and fit perfectly from the bust down, but it was too small from the bust up; there was no way I could zip it closed.

Usually, I go to the local Dress Barn store to try on potential purchases, but this dress was an "online exclusive" and not available in brick and mortar stores, so I had to order online size unseen.

I bought it in size 14, which normally is a good fit for me with Dress Barn clothing, but in this case, I needed a size 16. Problem is that 14 is the largest size available, so I packed up the dress and shipped it back to Dress Barn for a refund.

Interestingly, the dress did not have a Dress Barn label. Instead, it had a Julia Jordan label. After a little googling, I found the exact same dress in size 16 on sale for $59.99 at Rue Lala.

Do I take a chance and order online, size unseen again?

I hemmed and hawed for about 15 minutes and then decided to go for it. My fingers will be crossed until it arrives and I can try it on!

By the way, the dress in the video above is the dress I ordered except the color of mine is gunmetal and not navy blue.

I recently found this lovely skirt suit on Pinterest and had to share it with you. 

Famous femulator Candy Darling accompanying her mentor Andy Warhol