When I first started out in the work world I was a temporary receptionist. One morning I got a call for an interview for a permanent job right after work that day. I didn't think the clothes I had on would cut it for an interview so I went to the mall at lunchtime to buy a nicer blouse. I was doing quite well in the interview but I noticed that the interviewers voice has trailed off. I saw him looking at my chest and thought 'Rude! One of those men who talks to your chest". But anyway, I followed his gaze and, much to my horror, all the buttons had come undone on my blouse! The buttons were too small for the button holes. I smiled and tried not to panic as I did them all up again. I didn't get the job. I kept the blouse too, but got bigger buttons.

Mary

Several years ago my employer hired a young man fresh out of school to work as a "gopher" around the office, with intentions of giving him a full time position once he'd learned the ropes. He was so sweet and eager to learn (not to mention ruggedly good looking!), that even though I was nearly old enough to be his mother, we immediately hit it off.

One particular day he and I had been assigned the unsavory task of sorting through several cabinets worth of old files, throwing out any outdated ones. We'd spent the whole day trying to find a comfortable position on the floor as we'd gone through hundreds of files, and as five o'clock approached I was more than anxious to put it all behind me. Naturally, I was sore and a bit cramped as I started to get up, and jokingly said how nice it would be if I had a strapping young man who could help an "old lady" to her feet. With that he put his arm around me and quickly pulled me up, honestly with more force and strength than I'd anticipated. The bigger problem though, unbeknownst to me at the time, was that the hem of my elastic-waisted skirt was firmly planted under the heels of both of my shoes. As he pulled me to my feet I felt the panic-inducing sensation of my skirt sliding down my hips and past my knees to hold fast it's position on the floor, ultimately in a pile around my ankles! For a split second it felt like the nightmares that everyone has had of going to school or work without clothing, but unfortunately I was wide awake, in my office, dressed in nothing from the waist down but a pair of control top pantyhose!

I quickly pulled my skirt up and tried to regain my composure, and as I looked at my well-intentioned coworker I could see that he was more embarrassed than I was. He apologized again and again. He still works with me, and now we laugh about the day that he "really" got to know me!

Cindy

I was meeting my in-laws to-be for the first time. They were Swiss visiting America. I wore my best black sheath complete with Pearls and high heels. They wanted to go to a burger joint. And there I stood dressed for the Opera.

Diane

My stepdaughter and her friend called one day saying the car broke down and they were stranded. When I arrived, we jumped started the car and voila! Everything was working great; however, the joy was short lived. The car stalled again in the middle of an intersection! I pulled over, got out, and began to direct traffic. I didn't mind. I looked good! I sported a pair of Levis, dark wash, with cute little snap pockets on the back. My shoes were even better - a pair of cream colored, vintage inspired pumps, which matched perfectly with my Calvin Klein cream jacket. Underneath the jacket, I wore a coral pink tank with an embellished lace trim across the neckline. I could stop traffic, even if it wasn't needed!

Once, the traffic stopped, I began pushing the car while my daughter's friend steered. The friend kept chanting, "Go Barb! Go Barb! You got it! You got it!" She was laughing hysterically, something I figured to be nerves. Out of nowhere a man appeared and helped me push the car. "Wow! It pays to look good!" I thought. I thanked the man, who looked very flushed.

The friend was still laughing, "Wow! Barb! You really know how to bring in the guys!" I gave her the one raised eyebrow look, but didn't say anything because I was busy adjusting my clothes. That's when I realized why she was laughing. As I was pushing the car, my low-rise jeans had slid down my butt! The peep show included see-through underwear with a keyhole opening, which sits atop one's, how do I put it delicately? CRACK! The keyhole look wouldn't be complete without the crowning jewel - an embellished bow! I don't even want to think about who saw my too sexy underwear!

Barb

One Sunday a few months after my second child was born, I was at church with my family. When it was time for taking communion, I headed up the aisle to the altar, holding the baby on one hip. At that time in my life I had an extremely limited wardrobe due to budget constraints and the fact I had just given birth. One of the few church-appropriate outfits I owned was a long floaty skirt with an elastic waist, and that's what I wore that day. It was a bit sheer so I always wore it with a long slip underneath. The slip was, uh, ancient, and apparently the combination of a lot of wear and tear, plus shifting the baby on my hip, plus the fact I was losing my pregnancy weight meant the slip was looser around my waist than I realized.

As I stood before the priest, with my back to everyone in line behind me and several dozen people in the pews, I suddenly felt the slip slide not only lower on my hips but it was on its way past my butt. My only option was to suddenly clutch at it. There I was up there, holding the baby in my left arm and my butt with my right hand. I have no idea whether the slip actually became visible anywhere near my ankles and I don't remember how I managed to take communion, but I do remember the extremely long distance I had to walk to return to my seat, clutching child and backside the whole way.

Maura

I was very young, and out on a first date with someone I really liked, dressed to the nines in a slinky black dress, totally sheer hose, and high heeled sandals. After the dinner and dancing, we stopped by a very well-lit Denny's restaurant, and were seated at a booth at the back of the restaurant that required us to pass by many, many booths filled with people. It was also the booth farthest from the restroom. I went to the ladies room to freshen up, and as I was leaving the restroom and walking through the restaurant, I noticed a number of people turning to look at me, and smiling a lot. I just thought they were thinking that I looked nice in my sexy dress, and I smiled back at all of them, feeling very pretty and confident.

Well, when I sat down at the booth, I felt cold vinyl on my rear end. It turns out I had accidentally tucked the back of the slinky dress into the waistband of my pantyhose. My entire rear end, both cheeks, clad in nothing but sheer pantyhose, had been on full display while I walked through the restaurant to the end booth. This was 30 years ago, and it still brings a flush of embarrassment to my face when I remember realizing what had happened.

Sarah

I was working in television news during the 1992 election season and was traveling from the airport to the site of the first presidential debate. In the car with me were the network's political director and a very high profile anchor. I was fairly new on the job so I was on my best behavior, and dressed very nicely with a half slip under my suit. Apparently hoisting my bags at the airport had pushed the half slip down a bit over my hips. When we arrived at the debate site, the anchor held my door, and as I stepped out of the car, I suddenly felt something sliding down my leg. To my horror, my ankles were shrouded in the pink nylon and lace of my half slip. Without saying a word, I stepped out of the slip, kicked it under the car and kept going. I left the debate with another group, so I can only wonder what happened when someone pulled that car out of the space and saw my lovely slip on the ground. All these years later, whenever I see that anchor on television, I have post-traumatic-half-slip flashbacks.

Wendy

I was in a small country in Europe with a tour group. They took a group of us to a lake in huge hay wagons, and, when I jumped out, my cotton knit shorts caught the side of the wagon. I was literally hanging from my shorts, with one cheek out, AND I COULD NOT GET DOWN. After they stopped laughing, one of the guys grabbed me under the armpits and hoisted me up in the air so I could untangle the shorts and cover my much-exposed rear end again. It was hard to maintain any dignity after that!

Eileen

When I was in college I had what I thought was a very cute, funky shirt. My mother had given it to me as a beach cover-up. It was terricloth, came down to the knee, and had painted facial features on it. Eyes, a nose and red lips, very glam. The eyes had blue eyeshadow and long eyelashes that were made with fringe. I wore it over jeans as a tunic to the dorm cafeteria, to classes, out with friends. I just about wore the thing out I wore it so much.

Then one day, a good friend of mine took me aside to tell me something she felt I should know. Because of the fringed eyelashes and where they fell on my anatomy, I was becoming known on campus as the girl with the fuzzy boobs!

I never wore it again

Mary

I worked in Munich in my youth. Thrilled to be out on my own for the first time, I purchased a fitted trench coat that showed off my (then) trim figure as a special treat to myself. The coat's fit was too trim to accommodate my huge pension key. The monstrous thing was too big for in my purse, as well, so I had to carry it by hand.

Being on a student budget, I couldn't afford even bus fare, so I got around Munich on foot. My first day at work, I decided to take the scenic route past the Hauptbahnhoff, key swinging from my fist. In moments, I acquired a raucously dedicated following of Turkish laborers. After several desperate attempts to shoo them off proved futile, I took off at a jogging run that at least kept me a few steps ahead of them. For a reason I couldn't fathom, that only increased their interest: the lip-smacking, crooning crowd grew progressively louder. It didn't disperse until I dashed through my office's doors. It was only when I was summoned to my new manager's office - still red-faced and sweating from the two-mile, double-time trot - that I learned that "trench coat and key" was the trademark of a Munich hooker.

Bonnie

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My first large purchase once out on my own was a washing machine. After doing my first load in my new washer, I noticed a loose metal part in the drum, a half circle about the size of the agitator. I could not believe my brand new washer was coming apart! The repair man who came out was very gracious, but my face was the shade of a tomato when he said the "part" was the underwire of a bra...

Darlene

I had just been promoted from a low paying position to the job of my dreams. I had no idea how to dress for my new position on my tight budget.

I grudgingly took my friends advise and went to the local thrift store to scavenge for outfits. I took tips from what I saw people wearing around me.

I bought what I thought was cute skirt and jacket. Monday morning the guy sitting next to me asked me if my mother made me a suit from her curtains. I asked someone I trusted to give me the truth and was advised to burn the suit

Whew. That weekend I took a good friend with me to the local mid-priced store and opened a charge account. I then found a great sales person who helped me pick out a mix and match wardrobe that fit my age and body type.

His words were brutal-but truthful and I am actually thankful for his remarks. I look great now!

Jeannie
Fort Lauderdale, FL

I was driving alone, pulling our camper behind our SUV when I realized that I didn't remember locking the ball hitch. I found a nice, flat shoulder to pull over onto and got out of the car. Sure enough, the camper was not locked down onto the hitch! I tried to push down the lock, but I could not get the mechanism to work. Those of you with more towing experience know what the problem was, but I didn't then. I jacked up the camper and it began to roll forward! The flat spot hadn't been quite flat enough! I jumped out of the way, but not quite quickly enough, and the front of the camper pinned me by the jeans to the bumper of the car. I tried mightily to tug free my pants, but no luck. I even tried to reach the camper, hoping that I would have the strength of ten and could push it up the grade, but I couldn't move, caught by the blue jean. Alone by the side of the road, I had no choice. I had to take my jeans off, and in my thong chock the wheels and jack up the camper. This at least freed my blue jeans, which I put on to pull the car forward and resettle the trailer hitch. Fortunately, it was a road less traveled. Unfortunately, it was traveled some, and several cars got a very surprising eyeful. I haven't forgotten to lock the hitch since!

Alex

I had been working hard all day, moving heavy boxes and other manual type labor, so when I went to my kid's high school orientation, besides running late I was still wearing denim capris, a t-shirt and some black converse sneakers. The overall effect of my attire was frumpy,sweaty and... I swear, it wasn't done on purpose... the EXACT SCHOOL COLORS. I can't believe my son didn't pretend not to know me. :)

JJ

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Hmmm...something about wearing a beautiful dress that looked terrific at home, but turned totally sheer in the light of day...and I hadn't thought I needed a slip.  Need I say more?

Sheri
myShape

I used to play the violin. In sixth grade, I was really excited to learn a country western song. My music teacher told me to create my own country outfit for my next recital. I only had one pair of boots, and they were pretty bland so I glued rhinestones (square and round) all over them. I added a pink polo shirt, red bandana, blue jeans, and a large cowboy hat to complete my look. I was hot. Needless to say, I was not asked out that year by any boys, and my husband has never seen that photo.

Holly
myShape

I was living in Italy and trying hard (perhaps too hard) to be continental. I had purchased a pair of thigh-high stockings which were quite in fashion at the time and was very excited about trying them out.

The next morning I put them on and headed out for work in the early autumn air. As I exited the gate and turned around to lock it, I felt a sudden cool breeze on my leg. Sure enough, the elastic in one the stockings had not held and so around my ankle was this puddle of black nylon looking very much like a dead snake which had met its demise while nuzzling my foot.

My apartment had quite a few young bucks living there and they used to congregate outside the apartment gate before starting off to work. On this particular morning, there was a large knot of about fifteen men busy chattering away. As the gate swung closed bringing noisy attention to my presence and my exposed leg, all conversation stopped. There I stood, in a short skirt with one leg nicely clad in black and the other one blinding white except for the pool of black at my foot - with a decision to make. I could either set down all my belongings and in front of this baker's dozen + two of men pull the black stocking up my white leg, or simply pretend nothing happened and walk off to a more private location and take care of my clothing malfunction. I choose the latter. And even though I was not fluent in Italian at the time, the international language of laughter was unmistakable.

Janet
myShape

I had an early morning flight to present a proposal to a client. I got dressed in the dark to avoid waking up my wife. I arrive at the security check point, take off my shoes and discover I'm wearing one blue and one brown sock. I made sure to keep my feet down and worried all day long that someone in the client's office would notice.

John
myShape

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My college boyfriend asked me to go to a wedding with him. The few dresses I had were black (according to my mom, not appropriate for a wedding) so my only option was a skirt and blouse combo. I was feeling pretty unsexy and uncool in my black skirt and pink silk blouse that was way too wide and poofy. My boyfriend and his friends were in a rock band so you can imagine the standards.  So, at the last minute I threw on a more fitted white button up (at least more sexy).

I arrived at his house and what he was wearing was pretty casual. Based on the 1 or 2 weddings I'd been to, I thought for sure he needed to wear a tie. We went back and forth for a bit, and he started to get defensive. So he told me at least he didn't look like a waiter. I realized that the black and white outfit I had decided to wear looked exactly like a caterering uniform. I was mortified. I wanted to go home (and stay there!) but he insisted that we leave immediately.

Sure enough, sitting at the reception I looked exactly like the wait staff. I was miserable and didn't get up to use the restroom or dance the entire time because I was afraid someone would ask me for a drink. Never again, I vowed, would I make such a fashion mistake. And yes, the thoughtless, cruel boyfriend is now an ex!

Karin
myShape

I don't have any embarrassing fashion moments although I'd like to burn all pictures of me from the 80's...That was the utmost embarrassing time in fashion for anyone, we just didn't know it.  Big hair, cut up sweats, lace, ankle boots, color block...who the heck was the fashion Guru at that time?  I hope they are locked up somewhere, bound with leg warmers.

Donna
myShape

My mother taught me to avoid, at all costs, embarrassing fashion moments. In kindergarten, she wouldn't allow me to wear that crinoline under the plaid wool, pleated skirt. In high school, she suggested I wear the white terry bikini in the shower before I wore it to the beach. She was right - it was completely see-through! To this day I work hard to not have fashion embarrassments. Perhaps others have pointed and laughed at some of my choices, but I have always felt comfortable.

Sarah
myShape

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