Is that what you're wearing?

I absolutely hate this question because it's a dumb one. My sarcastic response to this question usually is: yes, this is what I'm wearing, I don't go naked out in public (only around the house occasionally.) 

I bring this up today because of an incident that happened last week, that I actively tweeted about because I was so upset.

Saturday night was my cousin's wedding, just outside of Madison, and I made the FATAL mistake of bringing a dress but not shoes back with me because I was in a such a rush to pack before leaving Chicago. 

I didn't think this oversight was a huge deal because I had a less formal backup outfit, which I wore for Christmas (argyle sweater, skirt, tights and flats - adorable). I know it wasn't the perfect outfit, but I thought it would be fine.

Why did I think this? Because it's a Wisconsin wedding. I don't want to sound mean, but where we were going, Packer gear, scrunchies, nylons with runs in them and Super Bowl jackets rule. I didn't see a need to get "Chicago dressed up" for this. Plus, I'm on vacation, cut me some slack.

Well, when my stepmom heard about my outfit choice, she freaked out and told me it "wasn't appropriate" and I couldn't wear it. I told her it wasn't a big deal, but she forced me to try on around 20 outfits of hers (which don't fit me) as alternatives before I found something she approved for me to wear. But of course I didn't have shoes for this ridiculousness so my dad and I had to go out and BUY some, which I have no desire to wear again, and I made him pay for because I was on the verge of tears.

I may very well have overreacted to this (because in the end I looked nice), but I think it was the way she said to me, "is that what you're wearing? No way, I don't approve." Hi, I'm 29 years old, I may not have the best fashion sense, but back off! I was forced to dress up like I was going out to a formal event in Chicago, in an ugly coat I had to borrow, and strappy heels in the rain.

In the end, I went to "dead inside" mode and let them dress me up like a life-size doll and I was one of the most overdressed person at this wedding. But the crappy house wine helped make it better. And my HUGE J-Lo-like hair was pretty bad ass.

Here is a picture of my hair and part of the dress I wore that night. I won't lie. I looked pretty good, but I still think it was a lot of unnecessary fuss.