Pay It Forward

I have never been good at shopping for clothes, so this was going to be a real challenge. I needed help from someone who is good at making impossible things happen. My sister-in-law decided to start with a reconnaissance mission to find the shop with the largest selection of possible dresses to save me the leg work. The following day, she was having coffee with a good friend and the forthcoming wedding along with my “Mission Impossible” of finding a suitable dress that would not self-destruct in 15 seconds, came up in conversation!
     

It so happened her friend had a dress hanging in her closet that likely she would never wear again. A year ago, as mother of the groom, she had bought a beautiful dress for her son’s wedding. Delighted to be of help, she happily gave me the dress. Despite the two of us being different shapes and sizes, not to mention height, the dress magically fitted me surprisingly well, and just needed shortening and a couple of minor alterations. The colour, royal blue (my favorite colour) the style flattering and the fabric very forgiving should I spill anything.

When strange things happen out of the blue, things you cannot explain; is the universe trying to tell you something or do you try to rationalize it as simply a string of weird coincidences? About twenty years ago I made a shawl from royal blue chiffon, and painstakingly sewn sequins and bugle beads (also in royal blue) in a swirling pattern each end of the shawl. I had given this to a dear friend, who had kept it wrapped in tissue paper in pristine condition all these years, only to find herself giving it back to me as it went perfectly with the dress.

It’s amazing the transformation that takes place when a professional does your hair and makeup. There appeared to be several “Fairy Godmothers” hard at work ensuring this Cinderella would go to the ball. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I could hardly believe my eyes. I have never felt so glamorous in my life. A BIG THANK YOU to all those who made this happen.

                                                      

At a wedding, the spotlight, as it should be, is undoubtedly on the bride, and it is her special day to shine. Both mothers of the bride and groom are expected to be dressed up to the nines, not to outshine the bride, but subtle enough, setting them apart from the other guests. This ultimately ends in women buying dresses special enough to meet the criteria which unfortunately means she’ll more than likely never wear it again. Just imagine how many of these beautiful gowns are hanging in wardrobes, sadly never to be worn again.

I suddenly had an epiphany, an idea that could turn into a great venture, along the premise of the film “Pay it Forward”. After scouring the Internet, it didn’t take me long to find I wasn’t the only person to come up with the same bright idea. There are in fact many out there, selling, swapping and donating their special dresses they got to wear but once. Whenever I have a good idea, it always seems that someone else has already had the same thought!