Rosemary Harris | The Woman In Red

January 21, 2010

I’m going to my first RT Booklover’s Convention this April and no sooner did I click Send on the registration form than I went out and bought a red dress. Unless you know me, this might not seem like a significant event but ninety-five percent of the items in my closet are black. There’s a blue suit and a brown dress and a lilac one-shouldered number that I had to buy because it’s Armani and was on sale, and it looked terrific on me eight years ago when I bought it but it’s never been worn outside of my closet. (Did I mention it has sequins?) I don’t know what possessed me.

I’d gone to Macy’s to buy a bra - forget Victoria’s Secret - Macy’s has the best selection on the planet. Anyway, bras are on the sixth floor and some marketing genius must have realized that by having only escalators (and no elevators) in the building a shopper would have to pass lots of other merchandise they aren’t really looking for on the way to the thing they are looking for. There it was, on the fourth floor. Red. Sleeveless. On sale. And calling to me. It’s one of those dresses that seems to have a shape even before you slip it on. Does everyone weigh an extra pound or two in January? I was risking a depressing sight in the harsh light of the dressing room, but I had to see what it looked like.

It was a miracle. The dress held me in where I needed to be held in. It flared out where I did. (I’m no waif.) Was I really going to buy a red dress? I flashed on the scene in Gone with the Wind when Scarlett goes to Miss Melly’s house in a "slutty" red dress. And Bette Davis daring to wear red to the Olympus ball. (It doesn’t help her win back Henry Fonda and earns her the name, Jezebel!)

I’d read that attendees at RT (formerly called the Romantic Times Convention) dress with a certain, shall we say, flair? Daring? Did I have enough confidence to pull off a red dress? What the heck, worst case scenario it will keep the lilac dress company at the back of my closet.

Rosemary Harris

Comments

12 comments posted.

Re: Rosemary Harris | The Woman In Red

Go ahead, red is a favorite for dress-up days and wearing it is a real perk.
(Alyson Widen 12:56pm January 21, 2010)

Go for it!! Accessorize well and you'll be a winner. And definitely Macy's for bras and not Victoria's Secret! Their bra straps are too long.
(Kelli Jo Calvert 1:13pm January 21, 2010)

With your dark hair and red dress, you'll be a knock out.
(Robin McKay 1:19pm January 21, 2010)

You were drawn to this dress because you were meant to wear it. The color fits the atmosphere,too.
(Leni Kaye 1:27pm January 21, 2010)

When I was in 4th grade a cute little blond told me that I should never wear red because it made me look as big as a barn. For years I didn't wear red. Now I know that if I look good in it I should wear it - even if it is red!
(Karin Tillotson 1:59pm January 21, 2010)

Love the dress. I hope you feel like a million dollars in it!!
(Mary Preston 3:29pm January 21, 2010)

I love red! I have lots of it in my closet. My tamer colors are beige or tan. I go for brown rather than black for more formal occasions. You sometimes run into a room full of black. Enjoy your red dress. I bet you get lots of compliments on it. Let us know how you felt and any comments. Okay? Have a great time!
(Gladys Paradowski 4:00pm January 21, 2010)

Very nice red dress. Be daring and bold. I agree with Mary, you'll feel like a million dollars in it.
(Armenia Fox 5:11pm January 21, 2010)

Good choice on color, red is a definite pick-me-up. Have a smashing time!
(Theresa Buckholtz 6:12pm January 21, 2010)

red is gorgeous, live dangerously at least once in your life!
(Diane Sadler 7:41pm January 21, 2010)

Just keep thinking about Gone with the Wind and wear the dress!! (I think we all have something like that in our closet at some point!!)
[email protected]
(Penny Tuttle 8:09pm January 21, 2010)

Karen, I think that blonde was just jealous! But amazing how something we're told when we're young can stick with us. If I'm going to wear the red dress I'd better stop eating these chocolate covered pretzels..
(Rosemary Harris 4:24pm January 22, 2010)

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