DEAR ABBY: My son is getting married next year. My future daughter-in-law is demanding that I (mother of the groom) wear a strapless green dress. The bride is also wearing green.
I am over 40 and no longer have a 20-something body, and I'm extremely uncomfortable wearing a dress where all my imperfections hang out and wobble for the world to see. She has informed me that if I don't wear the dress of her choice, I should just stay home.
Everyone I have talked to has told me to pick the style and color dress I prefer. If I show up in a dress that isn't green, I'm pretty sure it will create a scene and I'll be asked to leave.
I don't know what to do! Do I cave and wear what she asked of me, or wear what I want and face the wrath of Bridezilla? -- SEEING GREEN IN ILLINOIS
DEAR SEEING GREEN: Your son's fiancee appears to be rude, self-centered and insensitive (to put it mildly). That she would actually force you to choose between an outfit that makes you feel overexposed and not attending your son's wedding is shocking. Does your son know about this, and what does he think about it?
Talk to her once more. Tell her that while you have no objection to wearing something green, you do not intend to wear anything strapless -- and if she really means that if you don't comply you won't be welcome at the wedding, you will not be there. Let's hope it brings her to her senses because if it doesn't, I doubt you'll be seeing much of her and your son anyway.