I have something in common with Lauren Hutton and writer Peggy Orenstein. I accept the gap between my two front teeth. After three sets of braces when I was younger and years without a retainer, I can still look a dentist and my reflection in the eye and say, “I like my smile the way it is.” It’s a trademark passed down to me by my mother.
But while I’m able to embrace my gap, a couple of scars, and other “flaws,” I’m still unable to come to terms with the cruel joke DNA has played on me. You see, I’ve always wanted boobs and figured I had a pretty good chance of getting them because ample bosoms run on both sides of my family.
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I was delighted when my breast tissue started growing at age 10, even though it was painful. But after seven years of growth, I thought, “This can’t be it.” But it was. A 32NB (nearly B) was all the DNA gods blessed me with. Thankfully, the retail gods weren’t so cruel. They’ve come up with a wonderful selection of padded bras that can mask my “flaw” in the winter.
But in the summer camouflaging my itty bitties is a lot harder. You see, no one looks cute in a padded swimsuit. But when I go au natural, I think I look like Vera, Jim Carrey’s female body builder character from “In Living Color” who only needed a thin strip of fabric to cover her nipples. And strapless bras are even more annoying to deal with because my breasts just don’t want to stay in place – and by “stay in place” I mean nicely supported by double padding. (I feel like I’m revealing a dirty little secret by discussing this!)
I’ve been considering augmentation more and more lately. But can I justify spending thousands on an elective surgery when I don’t live on my own, haven’t started saving for my retirement, and owe student loans?
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Sure, it would make me feel better, but so would finally seeing myself the way others do. I’ve never had any man I was dating criticize my body. Most have told me not to have surgery. But I just want to look and feel normal, to be proud of my physique without having to constantly adjust myself to look good in clothes.
I never thought I’d say this, but I envy people like Paris Hilton and Kate Moss who’ve been known to go braless, tiny breasts and all, and still appear comfortable in the spotlight.
Original by Annika Harris
