It was 2009.

As soon as I picked up the hanger, I knew.  This piece was special.

It was a dress, in fact.  Wool.  Ruched bodice.  Gathered waist.  Snug.

The kicker was the neckline.  Prefaced with extremely strong shoulders, it was adorned with a heavy chain-link choker.  It probably weighed 10 lbs.

I looked at the price.  Originally $2800.  Marked down to $525.

Arm heavy, I marched to the dressing room.

Please don’t fit.  Please don’t fit.

Aw, f*ck.  It was made for me.

This was a dress you conquer the world in.  Nothing about it was timid.  Demure.  It kicked ass and took names.  It could do that resting on a hanger.  Imagine the possibilities once you put it on.

It was Givenchy F/W 2009.  The Riccardo Tisci years.

As a collector, I look back on this moment and think, “what an idiot!”

I had legacy in my hands – on sale to boot – and I passed it up.  What was I thinking?!

At the time, Sex and the City was all the rage.  Every woman in the world wanted a pair of Manolos.  And we all knew their going rate – $525.

This dress could be my proverbial pair of Manolos.

I knew what Manolos did for Carrie.  I knew they had the potential to changes lives.  Be the sole item on a wedding registry.  Disprove an urban shoe myth.

So why not make this Manolo monetary equivalent mine?  Why not agree to conquer the world?

Like I said, I’m an idiot.

Yes, it was my limited budget.  But it was something more.  At the time, work was my world.  And I couldn’t wear this dress to work, could I?  No, it would be too much.  Therefore, I had to pass.

I have since learned that when the perfect dress is staring you in the face, you buy it. It doesn’t matter if you have nowhere to wear it.  You pounce.

Because the occasion to wear it will come.  Anytime you frantically search for the perfect dress, you never find it.  Instead, you overpay for a mediocre runner-up.

Always have a conquer-the-world dress in your arsenal.  You never need permission – or an occasion – to conquer.

Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy F/W 2009… the one that got away.

ICYMI: The One That Got Away Volume I

Image via Vogue.com