There was never a time in my life when I had to dress up formally more than when I was in high school. Maybe this was more of a Southern thing, but it felt like every weekend of every spring, there was a gala, a banquet, or a dance where I had to wear a formal outfit. Honestly, I loved dressing up then, and I wish I had more opportunities to wear a floor-length floral formal gown these days! 

The frequency with which I had to dress up as a teen makes me confused about a recent viral Reddit story. An adult woman’s teenage daughter refused to wear a dress, a suit, or anything formal to her upcoming wedding. She wanted to wear her day-to-day clothes. I’d expect this kind of behavior from a little kid but from a 16-year-old girl? Their mom is siding with the teenager, and I can’t wrap my head around it.