The dress, the humiliation!

There is nothing funnier than trying out wedding gowns with a bunch of girlfriends. It is a memorable experience. I already have my gown and got to try it on in front of my bridesmaids and my mum and have to say it is one of the most humiliating things women have to go through in life. Sound a tad dramatic? Let me explain. The sales assistant takes you into the change room, strips you down— note to self, wear appropriate undies — and then puts a calico bag over your head. So picture this—or not—me, underwear, calico bag over my head, wearing white hand gloves a la Michael Jackson in Thriller days. I could laugh about it as I helped one of my colleagues buy her dream dress. I jumped at the chance to help her choose her dress and like me, she too went through the humiliating process that is wedding dress shopping. ‘‘We are only going to have a look,’’ she said. ‘‘No problem, whatever you want—it’s your dress,’’ I replied. In we walked with ideas and budgets, ready to take on any sales assistant who approached. ‘‘Try on a few,’’ I said. ‘‘It will give you an idea what you want and don’t want.’’ ‘‘OK,’’ she said. ‘‘I may as well, seeing we made the effort to come.’’ She walked into the change room and I could tell she was mentally preparing herself for what came next. Just as I predicted, in walked the sales assistant ready to pop the dress on as my colleague was standing there in her undies. I could tell she was worried, but whether that was because I could see her or because she knew she would be the butt of all my jokes for the next few months was another question— pardon the pun. In short, yes, we need help trying on these gowns, some of which are big, tight and hard to get into, but if there is another way we can do this and salvage our dignity, please let me know. Until then I will be more than happy to offer my services to any other brides-to-be ready to face the daunting task—any takers?