The holiday outfit

I tend to lump shopping for the Holiday Outfit in the same category as shopping for a new swimsuit. Both are items I don't wear a lot, they tend to fit tighter than my regular clothes, there is always a certain expectation (primarily mine) that I am supposed to look nice in the garment, and both have a lot to do with cleavage.

While I have become a fan of retail therapy, I usually stick to easy things like shoes and boots. Because of my height, I can't buy pants without special ordering them anytime, and tops and dresses are not my favorites lately. Last weekend I gave or put away all the dresses and blouses in my closet because not one of them fits me anymore.

The company my husband works for does a very elegant holiday party each year. They tend to book very fancy hotels and put the couples up for the night. This year they are sending us to the Inn at Spanish Bay. Sweaters and jeans are not going to cut it here.

Yesterday I decided that I could either hide at home and miss what is always a fabulous party, or suck it up and find something that will work. Frankly, I don't know who had a harder time, me or the salesgirls. When they found me looking around, they would ask what I needed, and I'd explain, "I need a holiday dress that requires no cleavage at all, no darts, no seams, no bustline detail, nothing." Then they'd bring me a dress with an empire waist and detailing at the bust. One young woman said she had just the thing and brought be a dress with built-in wires at the bust. As she brought it to me she explained that it was a great dress for small-chested women. I felt terrible as I saw her face fall when I explained that no bust sometimes means mastectomy, not small.

After several frustrating and unnerving hours of looking, I came home with two dresses that I'm willing to try on again. My husband will have to decide, or I'm wearing a sweater and jeans anyway.