Embarrassed at the Office: What a Boob

Everybody has probably had some fashion faux pas at work. I know I sure have.

Probably the most embarrassing one to me involved a one-time favorite blouse. (Now I wouldn't dare wear it though it still hangs in the spare closet). I am a bit more top heavy, and it's hard for me to find a blouse that buttons adequately. But about 10 years ago, I was pleased to have found a striped number of which I liked the cut, fabric and design.

Wearing it got me compliments and I felt comfortable yet a bit dressy. It was one of those shirts that worked well with dress pants and blue jeans, so it was twice as nice in my book.

One day I went to the closet to pick what to wear for the day, and this favorite was calling to me, so I put on a flesh-colored bra (so you won't see the bra through the material of the blouse ... another embarrassing faux pas, unless you want people to know you're wearing a purple bra under a white-and-green striped blouse!) and went confidently off to work.

At the office it was business as usual, editing copy and laying out pages for our paper's upcoming edition.

Then I went to photocopy something, and at the machine I ran into "Bob," one of the office's odd ducks. He usually only talked to people if he needed something: help saving a document, how to fax a page, and so on.

Those were the only times he bothered to try and remember your name (unless you were a very young looking intern, but that's a whole other story that's not so much embarrassing but pervy in creepy uncle territory.)

So I wear this blouse, and am at the photocopier, and there is "Bob," suddenly all smiley at me. I thought it odd that he was so nice to me and shuddered at the weird grin he wore. I sure didn't look like a fresh little chick nor was I the office hottie. But I shrugged it off, and thought, whatever. Maybe this guy actually got friendly as time went by.

When I went to the ladies room to primp I got my answer. I looked at my reflection and saw a couple buttons had come undone on my blouse. Old pervert had gotten a glimpse of the bra I was wearing: A good glimpse. I should have gone back to him and said thanks for telling me I was flashing half the office, but I didn't. I was younger and better mannered then. But now I double- and triple-check the fit of things before heading out.

And as a courtesy, if someone has spinach in their teeth or they have something askew I quietly point it out to them.