The Great White {Dress Hunt}

I need a white dress.  You would think that would be a simple thing.  No, I am not a size 2 or even a 10, but you would think white was a rather standard color.  I guess I should have known since I needed it, I would not find one.  Regardless, I needed one and the hunt was/is on.  I have been actively searching, purchasing, and returning since December.
First I hunted online.  I did not just randomly search blindly.  I dove into the deep internet pockets flipping through page after page of dresses, sizes, colors (ivory is not white you know), and possible alternatives.  I finally settled on a Modcloth dress.

Dress #1

In fact it was this dress that I fell in love with from the very beginning.  It wasn't that easy.  First I had to rationalize spending $100 on a dress that I was really only planning to wear once a year, if that.  So I talked it over with my fiance and we decided to get it.  By the time I went to order it only hours after I initially saw the dress my size was sold out.  Frustrated I contacted customer service to see when if ever they would get in more of my size.  I put the dress on my "watch list" and customer service told me they would be getting more in at the beginning of March. Le sigh....

Dress #2

With my dream dress a thing of the past I moved on in my hunt.  I came across another dress that I thought would be alright.  I definitely was not falling in love with this dress the way I was the other.  I needed a white dress though and the more I looked at the picture the more I liked it.  The dress I am referring to is here.

Dress #2 Dress Barn

I went to the local Dress Barn and not only got rude service but was told they did not have any solid white dresses in store.  Back home I made Dress #2 purchase and crossed my fingers.  When it arrived I tried it on and it fit so perfectly.  I was beginning to think I found my dress.  However, I took it over a friends house the following day and we compared it to her whites and my dress was in fact ivory, not white.  I should have returned the dress, but I was already absolutely in love with it, despite not being white - that I kept it.  It is proudly hanging in my closet waiting for some Spring weather. 

Back to Dress #1

After back to back defeat I decided I was going to take a break and let stores get their Spring lines in.  Then I received an email from Modcloth letting me know that earlier than expected the dress I fell in love with was back (in my size).  I was completely thinking it was fate, and immediately purchased the dress.   When it finally arrived it took me just opening the package to realize the dress was not white at all.  It is in fact ivory or cream.  It was darker than the dress from Dress Barn.  I was not going to even do it the satisfaction of trying it on.  I shoved the dress back in the package, sealed it, and slapped on the return shipping tag.  It took forever to get my refund.

Dress #3

After that I resigned to wait until warmer weather, for stores to change out the seasons, and to wait for sales. Then a friend told me about the great deals going on at Burlington Coat Factory (I didn't even know they had clothes).  After my weekend away at a conference I came home and checked out there website.  I indeed found another great dress in my size. Here is Dress #3. 

Dress #3 Burlington Coat Factory

$30 and free 2 day shipping and I was in heaven.  I received this dress last night and when I opened it the dress was actually white.  I couldn't believe it.  And it wasn't so bad looking either.  At this point all I had to do is try it on and dance around my apartment in sheer joy.  That's where the happy story ends.  The dress did not fit.  Seriously.  The trim at the bottom is preventing me from taking it to a tailor.  So back to the store it will go.

Dress #4 

I figure I must be getting closer to the dress I need.  After realizing the trim would cause problems for tailoring I jumped back online and found this cheap dress this morning.  I am over falling in love with a dress. I just need a white dress!  Shipping this time is going to take up to 2 weeks.  I just hope it's actually white and that it fits.  I seriously do not know how much longer I can keep up the positive attitude.  So my fingers are crossed.

xoxo Gwen