4-H Modeling and the Wardrobe Malfunction

Kristen over at We are THAT family has a blogging carnival going on Thursdays, and she asked for bloggers to share a story from our past, something that won't probably make it into a scrapbook because we can't find our crinkle-cut scizzors or some mouse peed on the pictures or whatever reason.
Apron Queen also has a carnival goin on called Vintage Thingies Thursday, I thought since I am so good at multi-tasking, I'd roll two posts into one and call this story both; an embarrassing story from my past as well as vintage. Now if you think that those bangs aren't vintage, and that, "Oh My! Would you look at that zipper!" I don't know what is!
So, this is my story...

Fall 1978, it was the beginning of my modeling “career.” It all began at the Western Idaho Fair, on the exhibitor’s building main stage, or rather behind the main stage. There I was waiting for an absolutely dreamy Junior Future Farmers of America member to escort me onstage to model, or rather, show off for my friends, I mean, the judges, my latest sewing creation.

Mom had purchased me the-niftiest-shoes-imaginable from the JC Penney Catalog. They had thick rubber soles with two slits going through the thickness from right to left, one under the arch and one under the ball of my foot. Through these slits you could insert white straps or brown straps and snap them into place with a heavy-duty snap. My choice for the day was white. In hindsight, and remembering now that it was after Labor Day, maybe if I had chosen the brown straps and not committed such an obvious fashion faux pas, the following story wouldn’t be an embarrassing part of my history.

Like I said, there I was waiting for that foxy Jr. FFA dreamboat to escort me up the steps and onto the stage for my turn. I rehearsed it all in my head, I was to cross the stage in a “w”, head to the front mark, pivot on my left foot, head to the back of the stage, left-foot pivot, back to the front, pivot and off to the stairs on the opposite side of the stage, where the dreamboat-in-waiting would escort me down the stairs. The judges sat with their tables even with the level of the stage so they could see every detail of our sewing and how we carried ourselves with all the poise and grace an 11-year old could muster in her pre-pubescent-awkward body.

My turn. Dreamy offered me his arm, and up the steps I trod, stopping to smile at the judges, went to the front mark, pivot, gracefully gliding to the back mark, pivot, back to the front, pivot-SNAP! The adorable-change-the-look-of-your-shoe-wardrobe strap came undone! Right in front of the judges, and only 10 strides away from Jr. FFA Dreamboat, who by this time in my mind had already asked me to the prom! Ugh! Major wardrobe malfunction! Gag me with a spoon, I was going to absolutely DIE right there! Mortified, I turned and step-slop, step-slopped my way to the stairs and took the arm of Mr. Dreamy himself, who now looked more like an embarrassed puppy dog.

My 11-year old world was shattered, spinning out of control all for what? A pair of shoes! Sandals that I had thought were the answer to too many shoes in the closet. HA! I know now the error of that kind of thinking; trust me! But I digress; I anxiously awaited the decision by the judges. I already knew that my sewing had brought me a gold ribbon, and I wanted another gold ribbon to go beside it. It was my best project ever; I had done it all by myself; topstitching and everything! But because of my vain love of a cute pair of sandals, it was all going down, I tell ya! Silver was the best I could do modeling, maybe even, (gasp, dare I say it?) BRONZE! No! Not that!

Time ticked slowly by while the rest of my friends modeled their creations, they had wisely chosen sturdy oxfords to wear with their outfits. Then we were to meet back in an hour for the results. Could I even live that long? Surely by now, Mr. Dreamy thought I was the clumsiest oaf in the whole state of Idaho.

We went back to the exhibitor’s building to return our outfits to be displayed for the remaining days of the fair, and there it was; hanging next to my first place gold ribbon for sewing; a beautiful rosette ribbon, a full four inches longer than its cousin, in GOLD! The judges had smiled on me. They had sympathized with my wardrobe malfunction; they were after all women; women who understood the importance of cute shoes.

Comments

What a great story, loved the pix you choose to go with.

From another FFA comrad!

(4yrs Livestock Judging Team)
j said…
Super Cute Story. Your wardrobe malfunction was as wild as Janet Jacksons. Glad that you didn't fall into a puddle of mortification on the stage. Your poise while you step clopped was probably what won it for you!

Be blessed.

Jennifer
Katie R. said…
I LOVE the "step-clopping". So, whatever happened between you and the jr.-FFA dreamboat? :) Cute story.
The Apron Queen said…
What a wonderful memory! Thanks for sharing. I wore my hair like that in the late 70's & early 80's. Wings like Farrah Fawcett in Charlie's Angels I remember telling the hairdresser! :D BTW, I also participate in a lot of blog carnivals & often combine posts. No problem with me.

For your daily dose of vintage goodness & a bit of silliness, stop by Confessions of an Apron Queen, the home of Vintage Thingies Thursdays.
Kristen said…
I LOVED this story! And the ending just made me GRIN! You were quite the looker at 11! Can you still sew? I'm jealous. I tried to make an outfit once, I had to walk slanted to keep the dress straight!

Thanks for playing along. Have a wonderful Mother's Day.
Darla said…
You go with your bad-shoe lovin self! LOL I love it!
LOVE this story. So glad that the judges recognized your talent and moxie!
Joanne said…
'Gag me with a spoon' .. what a saying! Almost forgot about that one.

Thanks for sharing :)
Kimberly said…
You are hilarious!
Anonymous said…
Cute story! I'm glad you got the gold ribbon. :)
Anonymous said…
BWAHAHAH! Love it! It's all about the shoes...
What a great story and wonderful writing about it. Those photos are rockin'! (I say as someone who still goes to those fairs and looks at all the awarded ribbons)
Valarie Lea said…
To funny :) I sewed an outfit once. The shirt that was supposed to fit me in the 8th grade when finished fit my 2 year old cousin. Needless to say I did not wear that shirt. :)
Dee said…
what a wonderful story ! I like all the thoughts you shared from what you were thinking when you were 11.
Cheri said…
Love the story! Gag me with a spoon-that one can bring back the memories!! :)
Anonymous said…
Oh, great pictures! I love the story!
ZONE F DG TEAM said…
Is the memorial day white theory still hold true today.

Here in CANADA I'd never heard of this until I read of it recently in a magazine.

Feel free to pop by and say hello.
Laura said…
Just wanted to stop by and wish you a Happy Mother's Day tomorrow! I pray you have a wonderful day!!!
Love, Laura
Jjlrdomom said…
That is just too funny!! I, too, was in a "fashion show" with my own creation. It was a reversible denim wrap around skirt, with a matching vest and head kerchief. However, I being the tomboy, was horrified at the thought of walking up on that stage. My 4-H leader said, "It's only one time, just do it, and then you're done." Good advice, except that I was chosen as an alternate to the winner (kind of like getting second place....I'd go to a national competition if she couldn't), so I HAD TO GO BACK UP ON STAGE AGAIN!! Boy, was I ever mad at my leader! Hee hee! Oh, and I wore big, clunky leather clogs that I thought were the coolest, fanciest things ever! Ha!

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