by Rosanna Carlucci
“You only get one shot kid, and you got to make it count.” That was the last thing he said to her before he slammed the door and walked out forever. She can remember the way the moonlight hit his face and how his words seemed to punch her in the stomach. At the time all she could do was stand there in disbelief and hope he would turn around. She wanted to run after him, but much like their love, she knew he was gone.

Two years, three days and fourteen hours later she rises from her bed in a nervous sweat. “One shot” she says. His words echo in her head like thunder and she knows what she has to do. She pulls her suitcase from underneath her bed and rushes to the closet. As she frantically piles her clothes into the case she pauses when her eye catches the gleam from her red sheath dress, hanging on its lowly wire hanger. She runs her fingers up and down the silk and carefully removes it from its place. She walks over to the mirror and holds the dress up to her body, looking hopeful. “One shot”, she whispers and quickly pulls the dress over her head and runs for the door, suitcase and heart in hand…

The Christmas season is undeniably upon us. The decorations are hung, the carols are playing and the inevitable Christmas party is being planned. With the many invitations comes the one question that looms over us, “What am I going to wear?” Well the little red dress, or the red sheath dress to be exact, has never had a more appropriate occasion.

Back in the 1950’s and early 1960’s, the sheath dress was a staple in a women’s wardrobe. The dress is characterized by a slim and column like fit. It can be sleeveless or not and the hemline never extends past the knee. At the time the very fitted cut of the dress highlighted a woman’s bust, waist and hips. The dress was rarely embellished and was cut in a variety of fabrics, most commonly silk or cotton. Keeping with the very structured silhouette of the 1950’s, the sheath dress was a great answer to a woman’s need for an evening dress that was not too formal.

Today numerous designers have recreated the sheath dress in multiple fabrications and styles. Fitting for the holiday season the perfect red sheath dress has been recreated by designer David Meister. The dress is available on SaksFifthAvenue.com in a beautiful red waffle pique, complete with this seasons requisite bow detail; it is perfect for any lady’s holiday soirees.