Conniving cousin stole my dress for boyfriend’s mum’s birthday – I can’t afford another

DEAR DEIDRE: THE 60th birthday party for my boyfriend’s mum is supposed to be something to look forward to, but it is stressing me out.

My boyfriend’s cousin is planning to wear the same dress as me.

I am 26 and I don’t find buying clothes easy at the best of times.

I have been stressing about what to wear for a while, but then I thought I had found the perfect dress online.

The last time we got together, my boyfriend’s cousin was talking about the party.

She said she had ordered an outfit and was really happy and relieved she had found something suitable.

She showed me the dress on her phone and I was horrified but tried not to seem it.

I am pretty certain she knew I had ordered it because she was there when I showed my boyfriend’s mum a photo of it on.

She is two sizes slimmer than me and will look way better than me in it.

She is a trouble maker and over the years I have learned to avoid her as much as possible.

It is too late to send the dress back and I can’t afford to buy another one.

I want my boyfriend to stick up for me and tell his cousin how upset I am.

But he doesn’t like confrontation and I know he won’t say anything to her.

DEIDRE SAYS: It puts your boyfriend in a difficult position, but he is easy-going and you aren’t going to be able to change him.

Be open with his cousin. Tell her you are devastated that she has the same outfit because she is going to look so much better than you.

I hope she will agree to keep it for another occasion or change it for something else.

If she refuses, wearing different accessories can make a big difference.

Please keep in mind your boyfriend loves you just the way you are.