From my zipper being down to having a rough case of “backpack skirt” (girls know what I mean), I’ve had lots of embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions in my life.

To my knowledge, however, none of them have ever been captured on camera… until now.

I was so excited when I found out I was voted “Most Changed Since 9th Grade” for the yearbook superlative page. Immediately, I started trying to decide what I would wear in the picture — it had to be perfect!

After taking everything I owned out of my closet, examining each piece, and trying on countless outfits, I finally chose my favorite pink dress. I laid it out neatly to take with me on picture day.

On the  first day of December, 20 senior girls packed into the tiny lobby restroom during break that morning to quickly change clothes, fix our makeup, and apply one last bit of hairspray. It was an absolute madhouse. Skirts, bracelets, and bobby-pins were practically flying through the air. I frantically pulled on my dress and ran out the door to get in line.

After Loy Sheridan and I had our photograph taken on the bench by the science building, I went about the rest of my day. It wasn’t until several hours later I realized my mistake.  

While talking to someone at lunch in the cafeteria, I mindlessly ran my hand across the front collar of my dress and felt something unusual.

“Wasn’t there lace on this?” I asked myself.

With a sinking feeling in my stomach, I realized my worst fear had come true: my dress was on backward! I rushed to the bathroom to switch it around, but I knew the damage had already been done.

My wardrobe malfunction will be permanently documented in the Stratford Academy 2016-2017 Overlook yearbook.

I was horrified at first, but my friends helped me laugh the whole thing off. Within 10 minutes of that initial embarrassment, they had me cracking jokes about it.

So, maybe I did wear my dress backward for my “Senior Superlative” photo, and sure it’s a little embarrassing.

But it will make a much better story down the road.

Cameron Walsh is a senior at Stratford Academy.