Having a Princess Di Moment

Drawing Rachel Rapp 

Last Friday I went to one of the most glamorous parties I've ever been to for a friend's 21st. It was on a boat on the Thames, and the dress code was 'Titanic First Class', aka long dresses. = help me.

I never buy long dresses, mostly because I end up spilling red wine on them or tearing them or tripping. This party presented a real challenge as there was not only alcohol involved but also the waves. Yes there are waves on a river - I know there are because I had to hold on to the bar quite aggressively during the drinks reception to maintain an upright position. 

The party was incredible, but the dress panic was not, although once I got there it was quite special to see everyone in long dresses for a change and looking so smart. I ordered a gazillion dresses from ASOS and Zara, but nothing was right, so I resorted to my leavers ball dress which I hadn't worn since I was 17. It's a very pale, quite sheer sort of crepe material number from Topshop, with little flippy bits of material for capped sleeves and a deep backless cut. All sounds fab until you have your photo taken with the sun behind you and the dress becomes completely see through just like poor old Princess Di's nannying attire.  I was frantically texting the friend who took said photo to get her to take it down so as to preserve my modesty. I've never felt so exposed. Thank god I was wearing hideous flesh coloured M&S undies that didn't peek through too. Even the illustration is showing how see through it was, you can still see my shoddily rubbed out pencil leg outlines through the dress.  

I also wore what I thought was my Mum's pretty Titanic-esque black onyx bead choker, and a white cropped blazer to keep warm. 

I won't show you a real photo as I look shocking in all of them due to a very spontaneous week celebrating with friends all over the south of England that left me looking pretty grey and ghostly. Almost as grey and ghostly as the dress.