dream closet #1.

{left to right: top row - 1 2 3  ~  middle row - 1 2 3  ~  bottom row 1 2 3}

My first encounter with Milly took place in April 2005. I had just started my tenure at a high-end retailer in Georgetown. We didn't carry the line, but I was told to scout out another high-end boutique in the neighborhood. I became a very touchy-feely shopper after working at Intermix. I started to understand the difference between cheap and quality fabrics--and I really started to determine what my own style esthetic would be. 

When I saw that first Milly dress in the window at Wink, a lightbulb turned on in my noggin. It epitomized the vision I had for myself: preppy, put-together, and polished. {phew--say those three p's fast!} From that day forward, Milly has always been one of my go-to designers. I may not always be able to purchase it, but I can at least admire the impeccable style and stellar workmanship. To make this story come full circle, I ended up working weekends at Wink for 2+ years after college until we moved to RI. I am one of those people who loves working retail--and now miss it dearly!

{via rent the runway}

Fun side note: One of my style icons {if you can even call her that since she is a fictional character on a TV show} is Blair Waldorf, who often sports Milly on Gossip Girl.
No wonder I like her!

The good news for me? I can rent a plethora of Milly dresses on Rent the Runway, thus affording me the opportunity to wear a few pieces from my dream closet and not totally break the bank. I may or may not have already rented two Milly dresses to date--one of which appears in my profile blurb to the right! See that gold stunner? Yeah, it's the Like Honey dress :)

Until {cv} and I make it big, I'll just make the most of my Milly madness and include many of their pieces in my Friday's Fancies. The pieces I do own {and the ones I allow myself to buy!} will be pieces I see in my wardrobe for years to come. With Milly, that isn't a hard requirement to fulfill.

What designers do you wish could fill your closet? 

Until tomorrow, xoxo {av}