Stuck in the Middle of Me

*  Did you know struggling to fit into clothes that are too small can actually make you look larger?

As if that was not enough, here’s another reason not to struggle to fit into clothes that are too small…

Might I suggest you do not attempt to recreate the following event…

During a recent bit of shopping therapy, I walked into this sweet little store, selected a few garments, that appeared they might look good, and perhaps fit me.

As usual, I proceeded to try them on.  I pulled one of the garments, a long sundress, over my head, it was not going over my chest.  So, I began struggling with it.  I pulled and tugged, and pulled and tugged, until I popped into it.  Only to find it fit more than uncomfortably tight around my chest…DUH?

Realizing this wasn’t going on the buy side of selections, I tried to reverse the motion to get out of it.  NOPE!

After what seemed like at eternity of frustrating attempts to pull it back over my chest, or down over my hips, it seemed to be stuck in the middle of me.

I was now sweating from struggling to get out of this dress, and laughing at myself trying to get out of this dress.

I laughed, I breathed, I mustered up as much strength as I could, and pulled with all my might, and…nothing.

I was obviously trapped in this dress and was going to have to walk out in this super tight fitting dress, and tell them I love it so much, that I want to wear it home.

Just as I was about to give in to wearing it home, I heard the store announcement that it was closing in five minutes and please make your final selections and bring them to the register.

I thought I’d give it one last try, and YES!  It came over my chest, and popped out the other side of my chest like a popped pimple.  Free at last, free at last, free at last!

Not sure what made it give on that last try?

Maybe I had stretched the fabric?  Maybe I had lost a bit of water weight from all the sweating? Maybe the sweat made a sort of lubricant?

One thing is sure, (with my right hand raised) “I promise to never try to struggle to fit into another piece of clothing as long as I live”.

And to think…

It only took me 51 years to learn that.

*   Photo above from She Knows’ Beauty & Style