Thinking about my favorite dress has provided lots of conversations and prompted quite a few journeys into the past. Most of the dresses I remember were associated with special occasions and milestone events: a cousin’s wedding, my first major clothing purchase as a teacher, and a number of “party” dresses from the time we dressed up and went to dances.

The dress I have chosen was the one I wore to my high school graduation. I purchased it in Toronto when I was living with my Aunt Helen while attending Teachers’ College. The dress was three-quarter length, strapless, black and teal shot taffeta with a white net insert at the bust. The inset had rhinestones on it and the taffeta was cut in peaks around the net. I remember feeling very swish with my black, strappy, high-heeled sandals. In the photo, my dress is the only dark one in a sea of pastels. It was probably the best I ever looked at Fergus High!

Catharine Murray, Guelph, Ontario