For about a year I have had my eye on the Le Sac dress from American Apparel. I had hesitated because this dress costs $38 and I hate paying full price for anything. The Le Sac dress is one of the most versatile dresses out there. The website boasts that the dress can be worn seven different ways. After sitting on the idea for about a year, I figured if I wore it all seven different ways, it cost just over $5 a way, making it a cheap dress.

I got really nervous placing my order after seeing that it was a one-size-fits-all deal. My body is far more nourished than the girls in the pictures on the website, but figured I could return it anyway if it wasn’t for me. I originally was leaning toward the dijon color, but after reading some reviews on the website, found out it was more nude than yellow. I decided upon the cranberry color and living on a prayer, placed my order.

Although the shipping order said it would take 5-7 days, I was very impressed at how quickly it arrived, only three days later. I then raced up the 42 stairs to my apartment and carefully ripped that package open, teeming with excitement, but realizing that I may need to return it because these hips can move mountains.

I pulled the Le Sac dress out and was immediately confused, “I ordered a laundry bag?” I thought. I rushed to my computer, dress in hand and went to americanapparel.com to view the site’s videos on how to wear the Le Sac dress. With a little playing around with it, I realized that there was no way I was ever going to return this dress and that it had become my most prized possession, within an instant.

Chances are I will wear this dress all summer in many different ways. From wedding showers, to dates, to using it as a coverup at the beach, the Le Sac dress from American Apparel has become my new favorite wardrobe staple. By tying the dresses straps in creative ways, I can highlight the hourglass figure I am lucky to possess. Yesterday I got an additional strap for it, a zebra print one and was shaking at how awesome this dress has become- from a dream to a can’t-live-with-out-it.

Published in The Chicago Flame April 25, 2011