Dear Miss Sweetie,
I do not possess the plump curves so in fashion. My arms are like sticks, and I have a barrel for a chest, but wearing a corset makes me red in the face. How shall I ever look beautiful?
Miss Broad in the Middle
Dear Miss Broad in the Middle,
Puffed sleeves deemphasize a stocky middle, and adornment on the bib adds “treasure” to the chest. Leave the whalebone to the whales; it is healthier for both man and fish. The best way to boost your attractiveness is to accept yourself the way you are, which will free your mind to pursue creativity and joy.
Yours truly,
Miss Sweetie
This exchange is from The Downstairs Girl (G.P. Putnam’s Sons) the story of a seventeen-year-old Chinese girl in 1890 Atlanta, GA working as a lady’s maid by day and moonlighting anonymously as the Agony Aunt columnist in the local newspaper. Written by award winning author Stacey Lee, there’s a lot of action and fashion in this well- crafted novel.
The Downstairs Girl is a Young Adult novel (written for ages 12 to 18). ODFL readers may not know that I have an MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis in children’s literature from Mills College. I came away from the graduate program with a completed middle grade novel and several picture books stories as well as a few short ghost stories. I have a fondness for children’s literature and every so often I peruse the children’s section of my local library.
Reading is a wonderful escape while we shelter-in-place and although public libraries are closed around the country, many have e-books and audio-books available to check out online. Take a look on your county library’s webpage.
Remember, Keep Calm and Keep Your Distance.
OverDressed for Life 
Leave a Reply