I came across this photo of Debra Messing in the latest issue of Departures magazine.  She's lovely; but it was the dress that stopped me from flipping to the next page.

Yes, the dress - a gorgeous chocolate silk number by Louis Vuitton, that retails for a mere $8,815.  (I know, in some areas you could remodel a small bath for that price!)  But it wasn't the price that startled me, so much as the style - the actual cut of the dress.

A couple of weeks ago, I let you in on a little secret of mine: I have a Calvin Klein jacket in my closet that's almost thirty years old, and I STILL wear it.  It was just an incredibly lucky purchase because everything about it was classic - classic lines and classic fabric.  But now I see this Louis Vuitton dress.  And all I can think is: DRATS!

Twenty years ago I had a black velvet bustier dress that had the SAME cut!  The skirt on mine was all done in layers of tulle netting, but had the exact, same poufy look.  I LOVED that dress.  But alas, after a few years, I gave it away.  I thought it was too trendy and would never be fashionable again.  DOUBLE DRATS!

Oh, just a little price comparison: I bought mine from Saks and I paid about $250 for it.  Granted, that was twenty years ago, but still... 

                                                  

And wouldn't you know it, our wire and pearl earrings would look FABULOUS with this outfit.