the "big reveal"

The idea was planted during a conversation on BlogHer with my good blogger buddy Darcie. It went something like this (actually, it went exactly like this) :

I wasn't planning on turning this into a thing. But how could I let that cutie-pie down?
Click here for the entire conversation.

(If you just joined us, this'll make more sense once you read Wanna Guess the Dress first.)

(Go head, I'll wait)


Meanwhile, here's my mask for the night...

(Sipping my cappuccino, whistling in tone-deaf fashion)
(Ready?)

First, the eliminated:

Dress #1: Nice color, nice detail on the shoulder, good designer, plunging sexy back. 

But honey, putting a shiny fabric on protruding hips is never a good idea. 

Sorry, Karen, April, and Kraken.

Dress #2: Yes, Emily picked it. It wouldn't even zip closed (the reason why my arm is up is so my boob doesn't pop out). There were two variations, the other one was worse, thus not made public. 

(You're welcome.)

Nobody guessed this one, so it's safe to assume that none of you are blind.

Dress #4: HELL no. Poor lovely dress with very interesting paneling, but clearly, totally wasted on me. 

It did "go with the wind". Thanks for the laugh, Janiece, Melissa, and Hilary!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Now the winners. Yes, there were two, Colleen was right! (I was totally touching my nose with one index finger and pointing at my monitor with the other, when she flatly asked me if I'd picked two):

The runner up: 

This gorgeous, gorgeous black number managed to make me look pretty decent. And its very modest price tag made it a must buy. Plus I have a formal dinner/reception to attend next week, so it was perfect for that! Even the grumpy hubby admitted as such. I mean, come on!! It's black, it's simple, it's versatile, it's understated and elegant at the same time. Can you blame me?

And the winner of an all-expense-paid trip to tonight's gala is... ta-da!! 

This lovely dress had all the right stuff: Dark navy (not black) to flatter the silhouette and complement the skin tone; elaborate ruffling that hid the imperfections around the gluteus maximus and hips; artful layering of the chiffon around the edge of the skirt, so feminine and sexy, ending in... ; a train, just think of all the funny conversations that'll ensue when I trip on them and fall flat on my face; and fancy shoulder draping, which finished the dress with a nice whimsical touch, with the added bonus of camouflaging the imperfections on the arms. Pretty, dressy, and cache-misère, all rolled into one. It was love at first sight!

I feel ad agencies should hire me just for the new slogan I wrote: 

A Tadashi Shoji dress: When you want a little Ta-Da in your life!!!

(Don't worry, I'm keeping my day job)

Some of you suggested that I used the shot of the back because the front was ugly, or to create mystery, or because I clearly didn't like it. Sadly, the silly reason for not showing the front photo was because my husband used the flash with it, which pretty much ruined it. No apologies, no contrition, nothing. Just "woopsie, eh, use the back photo" and that's it! I'm only letting him out of the doghouse today, because he is my date to the gala. And because somebody needs to hold my train :)

But don't just take my word for it, see for yourself:

(click images to biggify)

Well? What do you think?