Sample

Dress? French Connection sample (here) Boots? Ash (similar here w/o studs) Clutch? Gucci, thrifted (wheee!) Earrings? Vintage, gift from my parents Nails? Bahama Mama by Essie (here)

If you have read my blog for any length of time, the following sentence will be of no surprise. I love this dress. Afterall, short dresses with long sleeves are probably my favourite thing... besides kitten whiskers and brown paper packages tied up in string.
In general, I am a big fan of most French Connection stuff; especially when Winners (T. J. Maxx) gets a big shipment and prices most of it for $19.99. Even better is the sample rack at the front of the French Connection store in Vaughn Mills. Clothing samples are fun! The designs are sometimes a bit wackier, the prices are great and it's a link from the design process that many people never really think about. Most items on the sample rack at French Connection are usually marked as a size 10 but it's a little like a thrift store in that sense, because the fit goes from quite tiny to rather roomy.  I saw this dress on the sample rack and wholly approved of it's short hem, long sleeves, tiny shoulder pads and swingy shape. Best of all, the fit was just right; like Cinderella's shoe... though thankfully, no prince was included with purchase.