A woman wears her best frills and heels every day after deciding life is too short to save fancy frocks for special occasions.
Sharon Whitchurch, 53, spent years feeling drab with a ‘comfy’ wardrobe, but now she has a wardrobe-busting collection of gowns worth £8,000 and wears £90 dresses – complete with petticoats, heels and accessories to her office job.
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The married mum of two from Burntwood, Staffordshire, doesn’t dress down in the supermarket either. She dons her most glamorous garments for daily errands and says she has never felt happier or more confident.
Sharon was in her mid-40s when she finally had enough of feeling frumpy and decided to do something about it.
She told Need To Know that her closet of 1950s-inspired dresses makes her feel elegant and that life itself is a special occasion, and we should dress for it.
She said: “Around seven years ago, I saw a friend at a party in a beautiful dress and I thought, ‘I’d love to wear something like that’.
“I realised nothing was stopping me, so I bought one similar and the moment I put it on, I felt different.
“The dress was so pretty, I swished down the stairs and felt amazing.”
Sharon claims that previously, she would often feel dull, wearing jeans and a plain blouse most days.
She said: “My clothing was comfortable and that’s ok, but I felt drab.
“I have a mum tum but these dresses cover it perfectly. I feel like a lady, I often add a belt and instantly have a waist. The dresses are very flattering.”
Sharon’s dress collection has cost around £4,500 to date and her Ruby Shoo haul is worth £2,500.
Her favourite brands are Hell Bunny, Lady Vintage London, Dolly and Dotty and Collectif.
She said: “Some dresses I have are five or six years old. They are such good quality, it’s sustainable fashion.”
Her favourite dresses are in the £65-£90 range new, but Sharon is a savvy sale shopper and loves a second-hand steal.
She said: “I buy preloved dresses from Vinted and know a brand’s sizing well.”
To compliment her full-skirted outfits, Sharon adds a £40 petticoat and owns 16 colourful underskirts to give her dresses extra lift.
She accessorizes with broaches and earrings for her job in a GP surgery, where she works as a link worker, sign-posting patients to a range of non-medical services.
On the odd occasion, Sharon will pair her frocks with Converse or a sandal.
She said: “Wearing a heel changes how I carry myself and I personally prefer to team my dresses with a heel, but many ladies rock these dresses with a ballet pump or trainer.”
She added with a laugh: “I do still own one lonely pair of jeans. I’ve worn them for a football match, but they don’t see the light of day very often.
“If I’m leaving the house, even to pop to the supermarket, it’s a full outfit.
“I like to look and feel feminine. My outfits make me feel confident, they hide my lumps and bumps and I feel happy. Women should wear whatever makes them happy.”
Her fabulous attire often attracts lovely compliments from strangers.
She said: “At work, patients say my dresses brighten up their day.
“I’m not very good at accepting compliments, but I always say thank you and I’m excited to point out if it has pockets, I think every woman does that.”
Sadly, Sharon has also received some negativity surrounding her dress code, but chooses to ignore it.
She said: “I’ve had some negative comments and it’s a real shame because they’ve been from other women.
“I’ve noticed some women look me up and down and give me a look that tells me they think I’m too overdressed, but I don’t care what other people think. My dresses make me happy, it’s that simple.”
“My wardrobe changes my mood. I know if I’m feeling a bit down I can pick out my favourite dress and it brings me simple joy.”
With so many outfits to choose from, Sharon has a strict rota when getting dressed in the morning.
She said: “I wear them in a particular order and rotate them, to make sure I’m getting good use out of them all.
“If I decide to pass on the dress next in line more than twice, then I know it’s time to sell it.
“As well as selling on Vinted, I’m part of various dress and shoe groups. It’s like a little community and I know the dress is going to someone who will love it just as much.”
With almost 100 dresses hanging up, Sharon is careful not to add too many more, but admits she can’t resist a bargain.
She said: “I do have a wish list and I’ve joked to Paul my husband that now our daughter Emily has moved out, I may change her bedroom into a walk-in wardrobe.”
Sharon and Paul have been married 30 years and she says Paul knows how many dresses she has – and their value.
She said: “Paul likes to play golf and I like to buy dresses. It works well.”
When the couple have a special occasion on the card, Sharon will add red lipstick and a matching bag to her outfit choice.
She added: “People do ask why I get so dressed up all the time. I simply say, because I want to and I can, so why not?
“Everybody should wear their best clothes all the time. You never know what tomorrow might bring, so wear the dress.”
