Breast Cancer Survivor Embraces Body Confidence at a Regency-Era Gala

Last Saturday night, I attended a gala, "The Diamond of the Season," to raise money for the Akron Civic Theater, a beautiful show place built in 1929 in downtown Akron. The gala was designed with a Bridgerton, or Regency-era, theme, and let me tell you, the people came out in full 19th century regalia. Men wore long coats and ruffled, high-neck shirts, and women donned beautiful long dresses, many with corset bodices. I haven't seen so much cleavage since I went sunbathing on Clearwater Beach a few years back. The last time my bosoms were on display was when I was in graduate school in the 1980s; I wore a burgundy-colored, Regency-era dress to a Halloween party, and I don't think I've looked as pretty since.

But as we all know, breast cancer can rid one of her feminine attributes, her breasts, and that's what happened to me. Since I didn't want breast implants, I don't have much there to work with. Needless to say, standing next to the average gala-goer, I looked very flat chested.

Did I let this bother me?

Not in the least.

There was a fully equipped open bar. The food was magnificent; they had a dessert station with scones and cake, all the shrimp cocktails you could want, beef wellington, etc. The music was live; local string players played lovely period tunes, and then, at around 8 p.m., people took to the Akron Civic Theater stage and danced the night away to more modern music such as "Vogue." I loved to watch the release of sparkly silver glitter as it fluttered down from the heights of the fly loft above the stage.

I ended up sitting with two women who were part of the women's guild. They were friendly, and we chatted.

"I bet all the seamstresses in Akron have been busy this past month," I remarked.

"Why do you say that?" one of the women said.

"They must have made these dresses, these gorgeous Bridgerton dresses."

"No," said the woman, "they got them off of Amazon.com."

"Really?"

"Yes."

I wish I had known about this fashion tip because I would have picked up a brocade dress. I looked up Bridgerton-style dresses, and there they were. And they weren't that expensive. One could be had for under $50. Even though I wouldn't have had the cleavage, I would have looked more the part.

Not only could you get a dress, you could also purchase a cool hat with mesh and feathers. The female gala-goers wore these perched on the side of their heads. They looked magnificent. There were soft pink dresses, green brocade ones, red and white toile dresses, royal blue numbers — all the colors of the rainbow.

Instead of a Regency-era dress, I wore a long black and tan dress with a black bodice. The look was definitely 21st century, but at least I looked dressed up. And of course, no cleavage.

Breasts, breasts everywhere!

I'm glad those corseted dresses aren't the fashion today because I wouldn't fit in.

In the end, the gala was a grand success; a great time was had by all, a great deal of money was raised, and I, a cancer survivor, enjoyed the view. If I can't carry off cleavage, let the other girls who can sport it.

More power to them!

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don't forget to subscribe to CURE®'s newsletters here.