This sentence paints a vivid and ironic picture of discomfort and disillusionment. Here’s a breakdown of its meaning:
• “It felt gloomy and dystopian” – The atmosphere or situation feels bleak, dark, and perhaps a little hopeless or chaotic, like something out of a dystopian novel or film.
• “Her fancy-dress costume now absurd” – The costume she’s wearing, which might have once seemed fun or appropriate, now feels ridiculous or out of place given the grim mood or setting.
• “The sports bra a tourniquet” – The sports bra is uncomfortably tight, metaphorically described as a tourniquet, something used to cut off blood flow — suggesting pain or constriction.
• “The thermals deployed far too soon” – She put on her warm thermal clothing too early, and now it’s possibly making her too hot or uncomfortable, adding to her sense of regret or misjudgment.
Overall meaning:
The sentence conveys how a once-hopeful or lighthearted situation (dressing up, preparing for an event) has turned sour or uncomfortable — both physically and emotionally. Her choices now feel wrong or ill-timed, adding to the overall gloomy, almost surreal atmosphere.
