When I first thought about it, my response was that I never had a favourite dress. Then, for some reason, a date with Hutch popped into my memory. Before we were married, we went to a dance at Cedarbrae Golf and Country Club with a group of friends, a common occurrence for us in those days. We would have been about eighteen.

I had spotted a dress in the window of a shop at Queen Street East and Wheeler Avenue. So Mum and I made the trek from our home in Scarborough to investigate further. The dress was winter white, with a bodice made of lacy wool. The mid-length skirt was very full, with a fitted waist made of taffeta organza. 

It fit perfectly. Mum said if I really wanted it she would buy it for me. So she did. I was to buy the accessories. I spotted a pair of off-white shoes with the same lacy pattern. They complemented the dress to a tee. The outfit was topped off with a rhinestone tiara, which was very fashionable at the time. 

When I looked in the mirror, I felt like a princess. And I saw a princess looking back. At the dance on Saturday evening I was fortunate enough to be crowned Queen. So, looking back all these years later, it turned out that it was a very memorable dress indeed!

Elaine Hutchison, Toronto, Ontario