I’ve always loved dressing up, and I have a closet full of gorgeous dresses in all silhouettes and colours. But after having my son a mere 15 months after having my daughter, I struggled to find anything in my wardrobe that would accommodate my vastly different body shape. As someone who was already struggling just to keep up with daily tasks, shedding the baby weight wasn’t on the agenda. I had a variety of planned and unplanned events to take place throughout the year, and I knew I would need something to don. So I bought one dress and it saw me through brunch dates, a fabulous outdoor dinner party, Thanksgiving dinner, a television appearance, and so much more. The whole concept was something I have promoted throughout the years to personal styling clients, but have never truly put into practise myself. As someone who used to consider herself something of a fashion-forward blogger, I constantly felt the need to keep up with the newest and glossiest of ensembles. Practical it is not, and as life has changed in unexpected ways, practicality has become my game.
As I mentioned before I needed something to accommodate my postnatal bod, ergo, something loose and flowing was on the docket. Most of the dresses already in my closet are body conscious or have a fitted waist, making it unrealistic that I would be able to fit into them within that first year, or two. I wanted something with a trapeze or shift silhouette, something black (as black goes with everything), sleeves were a must and I required a hemline around or slightly above my knees for more versatility. I found a dress that checked all the boxes from Aritzia in August of 2017, and it by far has received the most wear of any dress I have owned. It’s oversized with a shift silhouette, has sleeves, a hemline that is slightly above the knee, and a fabulous appliqué floral design for added oomph. It’s a touch sheer so it came with a slip, which when I acquired, didn’t fit. I had to purchase one in a larger size from a different store. The dresses above are options that check all the boxes from back then and I would have happily bought any of them at the time. I love the versatility of a little black dress no matter what the silhouette. Being able to throw on a phenomenal pair of coloured pumps, changing the look with tights or creating a certain vibe through hair and makeup. This dress was hands down a lifesaver and proof that we don’t have to put pressure on ourselves to lose the baby weight, feel bad about not being a certain size, or stress about fitting into the items in our closet. We can sell, consign, or donate the items that no longer bring us joy and find articles of clothing that get us from event to event, or through the day, while feeling fashionably fabulous.
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