When I was licensed to my current post, in mid-January 2009, I hit huge embarrassment when my cassock didn't fit. The cassock is the long, black, buttoned robe that priests wear. Mine has 39 buttons on it, traditional for each of the Thirty Nine Articles of faith of the Anglican church but a bit tight for someone who's only 5'2"! They're close together like the rows of buttons on old-fashioned gloves.
Anyway, on the night mine would button about 8 down at the top, wouldn't even meet over my bust, and as for the big apple beneath, no hope! I could button the bottom 20 or so but there was this huge gap in the middle, even breathing in didn't help. Fortunately, there's a white, lacy cotta to go over the top and cover all but I was soooo mortified. And the neck fastened but was so tight I thought I'd explode.
Fortunately, it's not the robes I wear every day, in fact tomorrow, when I officiate at a funeral, will be the first time since January. I've spent about 40 minutes ironing it, removing all the dog hairs that just attach to everything - hint: if you wear a black uniform don't buy 2 white dogs - and just tried it on.
It buttons! And to spare! I could get me AND a sweater inside it if I needed to! Woohoo! I can now be properly dressed!
)
