Not being much of a fashion blogger any more, when I do wear an outfit so nice that someone else volunteers to take a picture of it—well, I'm not sure quite what to do!
And that's why this post about my Valentine's Day Dress of 2023 is only making it out into the world four days after Valentine's Day. But it made it! And that's what counts!
I've had this dress since well before Valentine's Day of last year. I optimistically bought it in early fall, thinking I could wear it on a second or third date (too revealing for a first date!) with someone special. Or maybe even on Valentine's Day! Well, if you don't recall, Valentine's Day last year was a total disaster, definitely unworthy of a sexy dress, but I never lost hope!
A year later, I finally got to wear it on a so-many-I've-lost-counth date with someone special! That's my boyfriend (official as of sometime last spring)! He is so special, that he appreciated my efforts enough to – without even being asked (without my even considering asking because I'd basically given up on self-promotional photography in any form) – offer to take pictures of my outfit!
How could I refuse? And once said pictures were in my possession, how could I refuse to share them in the one place where self-promotional photos go? No, not Instagram—that's for my dog. I shared them in my old, neglected but still beloved, fashion blog!
And now on to the outfit. Beyond its backstory, the dress is relatively simple for the Unfashionista. When I got it last year, rib-knit dresses and chest cutouts were having a moment. Admittedly, at that point they were on the downswing of their moment, and time is not kind to any trend, but I feel the silhouette of this dress is basically timeless. The dark maroon color is a subtler take on the vibrant reds and pinks I favor on V-Day.
So to punch things up, I got out the fuzzy heeled booties I made in 2020 and probably haven't worn since then. And probably won't wear again—so look out, eBay! They're coming your way!
And that was that! An entire outfit in two pieces. With the vibrant red hair that has been my signature color for almost a year now, I was a picture in romantic monochrome. I also wore tiny heart-shaped earrings, but who would have noticed that?
