She Wore a Thrifted Dress to Her Corporate Party, But What Happened Next Had Her Co-Workers Questioning Their Wardrobes.

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When the Original Poster (OP) proudly wore a transformed thrifted dress to her boyfriend’s corporate party, she never expected it to ignite a debate.

Sustainable Lifestyle

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OP is passionate about sustainability and avoids buying new items whenever possible. She enjoys fixing and mending items, valuing longevity and the principles of reuse and recycling. Quality materials and good fit are of utmost importance to her, and the whole process is something she thoroughly enjoys.

The Thrifted Elegance

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Desiring to dress well, OP often shops at thrift stores for high-quality materials. Once purchased, she tailors these clothes to fit perfectly and stay current with trends. By doing so, she believes she achieves a better look than many designer brands.

The Invitation

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OP’s boyfriend, who works in a corporate environment, invites her to his company’s holiday party. This is a significant event, and the expectation is to dress well. She takes the invitation as an opportunity to showcase her thrifting skills.

The Dress Transformation

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Heading to Goodwill, OP finds a dated green dress. She tailors it by adjusting the length, waist, sleeves, and neckline, turning it from a 2007 bridesmaid look to a chic cocktail dress. It’s a transformation she’s proud of.

Party Reception

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At the company party, OP fits in perfectly with the unspoken dress code. Her outfit earns her numerous compliments. The general atmosphere is of approval and admiration, and she feels like the night has been a success.

Curiosity Strikes

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Several dinner attendees ask about the origins of her dress. When OP reveals it’s from Goodwill, many assume she’s joking. To prove her point, she shares before-and-after photos, emphasizing the drastic transformation.

The Price Point

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Conversations flow, and OP mentions most of her outfits, excluding shoes, cost under $10 or $20. She champions the quality of thrift items, comparing them favorably against new retail items. Many at the party seem genuinely interested.

The Departure

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Believing the evening was successful, OP and her boyfriend leave the party. The atmosphere in the car is tense. OP feels that she held her own at the event and represented herself well.

The Dispute Begins

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Her boyfriend, however, is clearly upset. He takes issue with OP revealing the origins and cost of her dress. Feeling attacked, OP tries to understand his perspective.

Image Matters

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The boyfriend expresses concern over maintaining a certain image, especially in a corporate setting. To him, discussing thrift clothes and low prices might tarnish this image. He’s concerned about the perceptions of his colleagues.

The Defiance

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Frustrated, OP counters that she was merely answering questions truthfully. She compared the situation to others discussing their hobbies, like gardening. To her, her thrifting and tailoring are just as valid as any hobby.

The Core Disagreement

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OP’s boyfriend feels she lingered too long on the topic of her thrifted outfit. She disagrees, feeling she was merely participating in casual conversation. Both struggle to see eye to eye.

The Quality Argument

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OP argues that pricier, mass-produced items wouldn’t improve her look. Her belief in the superiority of thrifted, tailored clothes is unwavering. She sees her choices as both ethical and stylish. They are left perceiving the night on the opposite ends of the spectrum, only to leave us wondering if they can get past this.

Was Bragging About Her Thrifted Dress At Her Boyfriend’s Work Event Appropriate?

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The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter.

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “When women say things like “Thanks, I got it for $2 on clearance at Target”, we’re not downplaying the compliment. We’re showing off our skills! It’s a form of bragging that is socially acceptable because we’re also exchanging valuable information.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote: “ I bet the women at the party envied you for your abilities! Your boyfriend needs to grow up.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person states, “Promoting sustainability and the problem with fast fashion is appropriate. But, I think your boyfriend’s corporate fancy dress work event is a good place to practice taking the compliment and walking away.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another viewpoint on the story: “Not everyone is comfortable with used clothing, and you pointing out your disdain for purchasing products off the rack could be insulting to your boyfriend’s bosses.”