Fete Lifestyle Magazine March 2016 | Page 35

Every year at about this time I eagerly anticipate attending the Mardi Gras Ball. It’s a wonderful event that raises scholarship money to benefit New Orleans youth, and a great chance to have fun with friends, all while looking fabulous. Yet every year I not so eagerly anticipate dressing for this black tie affair. After another year of trying on yet another ill fitting dress, I finally acknowledged the obvious fact that I had expanded beyond the sizes for sale at standard retail stores. I wasn't old enough to be a mother of the bride, yet my choices primarily consisted of taffeta armor topped with sequined wrap jackets. Not the look I hoped to achieve for such a happening event.

My dream dress would be made from textured fabric, low-cut to show off my best features, have a floor length skirt that does not cling overly much, with ruching around the middle to accentuate a smaller waist, and mid length or long sheer sleeves to conceal my bigger arms. Where, oh where, is my formal on sale?