Mr. Black Tie Affair is on the town

My wife and I had a wedding to attend this weekend, which means absolute panic mode for parents of a toddler.  Dressing up has become “I showered this week, I think.” and “Does this shirt have too many visible stains?”  I knew the wedding was formal, but I asked – “Did the invite say black tie affair or formal?”  My wife said, “I think black tie.”  Uh oh.

I have a tuxedo, but it was a gift from a very in shape professional ballet dancer and I had ice cream three times this week.  I knew it fit…pre-child.  I put it on, piece by piece.  Shirt:  Holy hell, unless I can squeeze my neck fat down into my nether regions, this top button isn’t getting buttoned.  Pants: OH HELL NO – oh wait, there’s fat adjusters on the side.  (Slides to max fat capacity, pants fit – there will no dancing, for sure)  Cummerbund:  What is the purpose of this thing?  (Stares at gut)  Oh, to cover that bloated disaster.  Jacket:  Hmmm.  I’m OK, as long as I don’t turn around, move my shoulders or try to button it.

We dropped off our daughter and drove to the shindig.  I walked in and realized my wife either forgot or doesn’t know the difference between black tie and formal – I was the only one not in the party or wearing white gloves that had a tux on.  Now I realized I was overdressed, albeit poorly and a new panic came over me for being the well polished turd in the punch bowl.  Great.  Next time, I’m just wearing sweat pants and telling everyone I lost all my clothes in a fire or locust attack.