shopping spree, but not a reckless one

All summer I have been looking for the right outfit for three upcoming events: a luncheon, a shower, and a pre-wedding dinner.

I have been to all the major department stores and have even looked online.  My search has not been a successful one.  The few dresses I’ve seen and liked have been either too expensive, not my size, or in my size but awkward on.

Today I see a full-page ad in the paper for Sak’s annual consolidation sale.  It combines clothes from all the Saks stores in the US, divides them by designer, and then reduces everything by exactly 70%. 

Today is only 91 degrees — finally cool enough to leave the house.  I am at Saks by ten, just as the doors are opening.  It is a shopper’s paradise.  Empty of people, racks and racks of organized clothes, and huge reductions.

My salesman is attentive and helpful but thinks everything I put on looks great.  He is not being pushy; he just doesn’t have a discerning eye.  I am more reliant on the female sales associates who are helping others. They see when the shoulders don’t lay right, or it’s too tight around the middle, or it’s just not that special.

I must be in the dressing room for over two hours.  Usually I find nothing but today I find too much.  I remember my mission and DON'T by the short fringed Escada jacket, the Stella McCartney grey and white top that would be fabulous with all my black skirts, the white Thakoon cotton dress that would be so much fun to wear in the summer, the great scooped neck black top by The Row, or a little black and white go-anywhere silk skirt by Akris.

But I DO find exactly what I am looking for and only buy that.

This outfit by Pauw is playful and summery.

I love this Erdem jersey dress. It fits perfectly (though it needs to be shortened) and the fabric is luxurious.  I could wear this to either the luncheon or the shower.

And the picture does not do justice to this mostly cashmere Ralph Lauren dress with a boatneck.  It can be dressed up or down, and would be perfect for the dinner before my nephew’s wedding.  And after buying Spanx, the fit on this is also perfect, as long as I gain no weight.

Now I just have to find a gown for the wedding.  Then I’ll be done!