All American

My family was lucky enough to be invited to dinner with several foreign counterparts of my husband’s role. The Pamper Pirate was on his best behavior; new people and a new place added timid shades to his usual hyped up demeanor. I was also on my best behavior. I cannot embarrass my husband [and on a general note, leaving a poor impression of America] with wildly inappropriate remarks. Tone and sarcasm does not always translate.

the Ralph Lauren dress

I also kept my outfit tame. No risky hemlines or acid bright colors here. The Pamper Pirate and I coordinated in blue and white stripes. His was a seersucker one piece and mine a crepe dress.

I bought this Polo Ralph Lauren number deep in quarantine, back in 2020, having high hopes that I would be able to wear it sooner than later. I only worn it once, during election week that year but because I was in a post-Mississippi quarantine, nobody got to see it IRL. Naturally I posted it on the blog. As it has never gotten a proper maiden voyage, I opted to wear the American designer to dinner.

While this dress is long gone from the Ralph Lauren website, it has been reissued in solid yellow and navy dot print. I do not love that the fabric is polyester [and you all should know how I feel about polyester at this point, especially spending big on {non-athletic} items made from the synthetic fabric] but this crepe does not bother me so much. I think it is because it is not polyester masquerading as silk or satin.

My favorite part of the dress is the construction of the bodice. It is so beautifully pleated with a back zip and hook and eye closure. Can we talk about the twisted neckline? Gorgeous. I cannot see it not be flattering on most bodies and this dress goes up to a straight size 18.