The letter D is for Dresses.
I took my daughter (almost 15 years old) out dress shopping on Saturday. Not clothes shopping. But specifically dress shopping. Why? Because she wanted a new dress.
My daugher answered, "I just want a new dress."
The employees all responded with scrunched eyebrows and baffled expressions.
Monday morning, my daughter and I went to get our hair cut. The wonderful hairdresser was very kind and asked how our weekend was. My daughter very excitedly told her of the new gorgeous dress she found. The hairdresser asked, "Oh! What's the special occassion?"
My daughter simply said, "I just wanted a new dress."
Why does there have to be a special occassion now-a-days for a dress? I know the style is torn jeans with decorated back pockets topped off with a t-shirt from A&F ... but really ... when did dresses go out of style?
I remember a photograph of my mother when she was about my daughter's age. My mother smiled when she showed it to me. I asked her why the photo made her smile.
My mother tapped the photo with her finger and said, "Those were my first pair of pants." (She and all her friends had only worn dresses and skirts prior ... it was the 1950's.)
Two generations later ... many girls don't even own a dress.
Do you know a teenage girl who wears dresses for no special occassion?
I do. But they're not the "norm."
Photo credits: Top photo from JCPenney.com (not my daughter, and not the dress she chose); Bottom photo from thefashionspot.com (not my mom, but similar clothes!)
What's the special occasion?!
ReplyDeleteJUST KIDDING! :P There doesn't have to be a special occasion. If there did, I'd probably not buy new dresses for years at a time. hehe. Speaking of, I haven't bought any in a while... I need to go shopping!
I haven't bought a dress in ages. I did try one on in the shops the other day but it just didn't feel right. Got back into my jeans rapidly.
ReplyDeleteI have actually tried buying a dress for me and haven't been able to find anything either appropriate for my age or stylish. It's all about tops and pants or skirts.
ReplyDeleteI have maybe two summer dresses, and I can't wait to wear them!
ReplyDeleteThe next time someone asks "What's the special occasion?", you should answer with something like "My boyfriend and I are planning to do "it" for the first time ever!" It's totally something I would do. Plus, their faces would be funny.
I love wearing dresses and I wish that it were more stylish for the day to day life. During the summer you'll see me in dresses and skirts. I rarely wear shorts...ok, I don't own shorts...just skirts. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI love to wear dresses and skirts, and fully plan on freeing myself from these ill-fitted jeans (I'm long-legged) and just go around in skirt and sandals (and top) all spring/summer. Can't wait till it warms up more!
ReplyDeleteActually, I don't. How sad is that?
ReplyDeleteI don't wear skirts or dresses, not because I dislike them but because at 5ft and needing an adult size, they are impossible to find!
Too funny! We both posted on dressing up - in dresses. I love those old photos. And I have exactly one dress...left from my son's wedding 8 years ago. It's not getting a lot of wear.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you went shopping with your daughter is a special occasion in and of itself. Nowadays, a lot of kids don't even get that.
ReplyDeleteI like to buy new dresses just because! What's wrong with that?
ReplyDeleteI only know teenage girls who wear dresses for special occasion like a wedding. Hence the question, 'What's the special occasion?'
ReplyDeleteThis week I was out dress shopping also. This dress is for a special occasion, but here I am, !! years old, and not a dressy dress to my name! Lots of pants though, pants on hangers, pants in boxes, jeans in piles ...
ReplyDeleteI know I see more dresses in the stores around the holidays! My 13-year-old prefers skirts, and then only worn to church. I bought her an adorable dress and it's like pulling teeth to get her to wear it! Ofcourse, I'm not the best example. I'd rather brush my teeth with spicy mustard than wear hose! (ghost-white legs just don't look good under a dress) :)
ReplyDeleteAs it so happens, I only know one teenage girl. I have no idea if she ever wears dresses. Nevertheless, I liked the tale about your daughter's experience, and how it highlights how much fashion has changed in the last few decades. Great post!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, a dress (or skirt) can make you feel so girly! And in the summer...so much cooler. I like the hippie/guaze/colorful stuff. Free flowing...and hides a lot of flaws.
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter was little, I could not get her into anything other than a dress or skirt. She would even climb trees in them. Now at 27 she still wears a lot of skirts/dresses.
Nice to have the choice of either dress/skirt or pants, isn't it??
Sig
Hi Margot! Lovely to meet/follow you. This post made me smile. A bit lightweight after visiting Darfur no doubt, but yes, these days, there seems to be a need to buy a new dress, new shoes or get our hair done. Down with that attitude!
ReplyDeleteI hope you voted on my poll. I wonder what E could be? Some people have acutally got it right for the first time.
Denise<3
Ha, so true! Dresses aren't the norm anymore.
ReplyDeleteJeans and other pants have really taken over most people's wardrobe, and it's not just the young girls. I can't remember the last time I wore a dress ordinarily. :)
ReplyDeleteI was talking about dresses with a friend earlier today since a lot of teens seem to be shopping for prom. I only own one summer dress... It's all about the black pants for me! ;)
ReplyDeleteHello Margot
ReplyDeleteHave to say most of my grandaughters have dresses in their wardrobe - not many of the mums do and definitely not this grandma lol Short of stature and being conscious of not having the slimmest of middles means I steer clear of the dress dept.
Have enjoyed your A-Z posts - will check the rest as the month goes by
Take care
Cathy
While buying dresses for a teenage daughter is a nice luxury, may I suggest a nice double-barrel shotgun as a necessary conversation piece for when the teenage boys come-a-courtin'?
ReplyDeleteLarry
I used to not wear them very often, but I love dresses now days! Totally changed my mind on dresses and skirts within the past couple years.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting, I just got back from taking my 11 year old daughter (but she's tall so we have to shop in the junior shop) shopping specifically for a dress. I admit, there was a special occasion (she's in a talent show), but I was delighted that there were dresses to find (Target). Last year I remember it was almost impossible to find a dress. Maybe dresses are coming back into style.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved dresses. Is it an American thing? Girls in Ireland wear dresses.
ReplyDeleteI am sure your daughter's dress is lovely. Fair play to her.
You're absolutely right. I probably would have had the same "special occasion" question. I think it's time for a change. Although I do love my jeans and sweatshirts! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog and following. I look forward to following you back. Will be back tomorrow to see what you have up next!
Having had to wear a dress all through school in the sixties, pants were the 'special occasion' for me. :) I don't think I own a dress anymore!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! Thanks for visiting, I'm glad to meet you through A to Z!
ReplyDeleteI was a teenager in the Fifties. I remember my mother always wore a dress, and so did I and all my school friends. Girls today don't. I personally prefer slacks now; just wear a dress on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteThanks for finding me. I'm now happy to meet you. This A to Z challenge is wonderful. I'm making a lot of new friends.
And good luck finding that agent--and on your next WIP.
Ann Carbine Best’s Long Journey Home
My daughter just turned 11 and loves dress/skirts but I don't think he friends would be caught dead in one. Funny how times change.
ReplyDeleteMy husband loves for me to wear dresses and skirts. And he, like your daughter, doesn't think you need a special occasion to wear them!
ReplyDeletesadly I rarely wear dresses and skirts because of my Raynauds. It's warmwer to wear trousers, though I have owned some fab dresses in the past. Good for your daughter enjoying her dresses :O)
ReplyDeleteI haven't noticed this trend in Australia, but now that you've pointed it out, I'll be keeping my eyes out to see if dresses are less popular over here too!
ReplyDeleteI had a colleague a few years ago who always wore skirts or dresses. People at school generally considered her weird or eccentric (and, to be honest, those labels weren't untrue, either) because of the way she dressed. I thought it was great, and envied her wardrobe and her ability to dress well on no money (being a grad student isn't exactly lucrative). But, today, the sun's out and it's supposed to stay over 50 degrees until I get home, so I'm pulling a skirt out of my closet today in celebration of spring. I suppose that's technically a special occasion, though, isn't it? :/
ReplyDeleteRosie
East for Green Eyes