Double Standard?...To be curvy or not to be curvy. That is the question.

Ahhhhh! The first beautiful day of the year and I finally have the confidence to wear that dress that has been beckoning me all winter. I wake up excited, like a teenager going back to school after a long summer break, ready to show off their new "school" clothes. Anxiously, I run to the bathroom and slip on this dress that makes me feel like a woman. The subdued black and white stripes mixed with the bright red floral print, hug my every curve. I look in the mirror...
Legs shaved...Check
Self "bottle" tanner...Check
Pedicured feet...Check
I realize that my "come hither" heels might be pushing it a bit, but I am ready to own it. Besides, what is fashion without pushing the envelope? 
At 6:30 am, I walk into the building where I work and make my way to my desk. Great! I made it through the hardest part, or so I thought. My clothing says "look at me" but the voice inside is terrified to be noticed.
10:30 am, all seems well until I hear my boss say "Can I talk to you for a minute"? That 5 second walk feels like an eternity. I take a seat and know from the look on his face that this is not going to be good news. I am informed that my dress is not "appropriate" for work and that I need to go home and change. Poof! Confidence gone. I feel embarrassed and ashamed of myself, but I love my job so I do as I'm told.  30 minutes later, I try to slither back to my desk as if I never left. I scan the office for possible informants and notice a dress much shorter than mine. However, the figure underneath that dress is younger, taller, and much thinner. I feel singled out, but sadly, I am all too familiar with this scenario. "She" = Fashion.  Me + Curves = "Too Sexy".
So, I pose this question to you.... Is there a double standard for women with curves who wear the same fashion(s) as women lacking curves?


Jessica J.