What NOT to Wear to a Reunion

Posted by L. Marie Dubuque Aug 10, 2008

I remember shopping for a dress for my 10th high school reunion. It was in August of '91. The weather was hot and humid and the anticipation was palpable. It was the first time everyone from Ladue H.S. class of '81 had seen each other in 10 years.

I was living in Florida at the time so it was easy to find a sleeveless number. I remember my dad came down to visit from St. Louis and we took a short weekend trip to Key West. Normally this vibrant eclectic community would be the perfect place to find a suitable dress for a reunion. But somehow I must have picked up something left over from the holidays. Or I was suffering from a serious heat-related illness. Because the ensemble I ended up wearing involved a red sequined dress with matching red high heel suede pumps and a red purse. I'm still afraid to look at the picture. I stood out from the crowd alright...like a flapper girl from the 1920's.

For my 20th reunion I tried to go for a more subdued look...try dowdy. I went a little overboard in my conservative black dress with the high neckline. Business convention for undertakers...yes, 20th high school reunion...no.

I don't think I'll go back for another reunion. (My husand and I made a pact. We wouldn't subject each other to any more.) Besides, I remember fewer and fewer people and I'd just assume forget a lot of high school memories. (Namely frizzy hair and braces that I'd like leave in the past, thank you.)

Anyway, I'm more interested in reuniting with my middle school teachers than my high school friends, namely Kathy Mawhinney-Beal, my journalism teacher. Kathy, if you're out there, call me. We'll catch up.