Kindred spirit- NPL is the best (after you figure out the learning curve of fit)! lol I bought one from them directly and it didn’t end up working after all that time waiting, back to the BST I went.
I like the idea of dresses but I am very much a jeans person. I have started wearing more feminine blouses, which I find super practical for nursing, and I do have a few dresses that I like, but I rarely wear them because I just default to “mom jeans” with either a blouse or a jumper in the winter.
I also don’t find dresses practical for chasing my toddler round the park or the soft play, but it’s more that I don’t feel quite at home in most dresses.
Looking forward to checking out the recommendations in these comments! I’ve been living in my 3/4 sleeve wrap dresses from Global Mamas (https://globalmamas.org/shop/wrap-dress-3-4-sleeve-blossom-shadow-organic/), with underdresses from Cottonique or Una Pluma. The length of the skirt part is very practical just below the knee to not get snagged on things, but still be modest. Also, since I don’t shave my armpits, I feel more concealed and “normal” in this sleeve length, too 🧡
I am a both/and person. I find that I can tend towards oversized shirts and running shorts if I’m not planning because they’re easy, but I feel better when I’m wearing a dress or a skirt.
Last school year, I had two days each week I’d plan to wear dresses; which happened to coincide with when I was at church volunteering or doing mom’s group. Different days this school year so I need to figure out what my new plan is…
Also, do you have home dresses and Church/ fancy dresses? I find if I don’t separate then I don’t feel like I have any “nice/fancy” dresses?
I love this question-- I have a few more working horse style dresses that are at home, and my fancier ones I do like to save for mass or date nights. If I'm in the kitchen I have an apron on which helps. I've also noticed that the higher quality linen and cotton fabrics don't hold stains as much as poly does.
I love this. I just had my fourth baby, and in the past year have almost completely stopped wearing pants in favor of dresses. I have a couple of pairs of elastic waist linen pants, mostly for doing housework, but I was just telling my husband the other day that I feel like my body isn't made for jeans. Trying to find a pair that fits is so stressful that I've given up the search. I live in the sleeveless Mama dresses from Not Perfect Linen, though the Hill House nap dresses are a favorite of mine too!
I’ve never been a dress person. Never. But in the last few years, as I’ve become more comfortable with my womanhood, I’ve been drawn to them. I still don’t feel comfortable in them really, and I need to excavate that! Because I love the idea (as you said, practicality!) and beauty of them in theory!
I think it takes time to find the right kind of dress for you-- I have a friend who mostly loves jeans, but recently found a beautiful gown she loves from Hill House!
As a long-time mother & now a grandma, try easing into dresses with leggings and either a tunic top or short dress. My favorite is a knee-length chambray shirt dress & leggings.
I have a quite bit of Lands End and LL Bean. I tried April Cornell recently and have been liking their dresses, especially since they have so many cotton options. I will note that their clothes run big imo; and their cuts are usually quite high Edwardian style waisted, so some don’t work with my shorter torso.
I think it took me six (!) pregnancies to realize this, but yes. Dresses truly are the most functional way to dress when you are in your child-bearing years. Nothing accommodates the growing/shrinking cycle like a dress!
I feel like my style changes all the dang time...! I love and am drawn to a nerdy librarian look, but also would wear overalls every day if I could. Since dying my hair pink, I'm leaning into a more "edgy" look and have been wearing more black but playing with textures and silhouettes. For a while I swore off dresses (WHY?!) but since finding a few that I love and feel beautiful in, I'm trying to add in more dresses into my wardrobe. I have a linen midi dress that has thin straps that I adore; it's comfortable and light, I love the length and the flowy bottom, and I love that I can layer under and over it for different settings and temperatures. I also have a midi dress with sleeves and buttons all down the front - it's a classic silhouette but it's a bold leopard print that I feel so sassy in! I've fallen in love with the midi length, but also love a shorter dress/skirt option with tights or leggings for colder weather. I also love a jumpsuit...! I find it so much easier to get dressed with "one pieces" like a dress, jumpsuit, overalls, etc!! Thank you for sharing your favorite dress brands! I tend to shop primarily secondhand at thrift stores and on Poshmark, so I'm eager to have some more options to look into! Also, I appreciate that most of the brands you linked have plus size options - thank you!!! <3
I am finding I wear a lot more dresses. Short sleeve swingy-type dresses that I can pair with leggings - and a jacket or sweater - tend to work well for me. I would love to hear about dresses that are particularly forgiving and can accommodate my 'perma-womb'. That would be my mid-section which has been stretched and (not entirely) sprung back after 8 pregnancies. :-) I'm sure the 3 c/sections didn't help either. I don't mean to complain, because I am grateful for my beautiful family. I just don't want anyone to think I'm pregnant at 52, as a grandmother. I also don't want to wear dresses that look like sloppy tents, you know? A little definition, but something for that belly. Anybody got any ideas for me? Thanks in advance!
Not Perfect Linen is my jam… only through the FB BST groups lol
Kindred spirit- NPL is the best (after you figure out the learning curve of fit)! lol I bought one from them directly and it didn’t end up working after all that time waiting, back to the BST I went.
ah, I forgot about them!!!
I like the idea of dresses but I am very much a jeans person. I have started wearing more feminine blouses, which I find super practical for nursing, and I do have a few dresses that I like, but I rarely wear them because I just default to “mom jeans” with either a blouse or a jumper in the winter.
I also don’t find dresses practical for chasing my toddler round the park or the soft play, but it’s more that I don’t feel quite at home in most dresses.
Looking forward to checking out the recommendations in these comments! I’ve been living in my 3/4 sleeve wrap dresses from Global Mamas (https://globalmamas.org/shop/wrap-dress-3-4-sleeve-blossom-shadow-organic/), with underdresses from Cottonique or Una Pluma. The length of the skirt part is very practical just below the knee to not get snagged on things, but still be modest. Also, since I don’t shave my armpits, I feel more concealed and “normal” in this sleeve length, too 🧡
That print is beautiful, thank you for sharing a link!
Yes, mine are all different because they release new prints each season 😍
I am a both/and person. I find that I can tend towards oversized shirts and running shorts if I’m not planning because they’re easy, but I feel better when I’m wearing a dress or a skirt.
Last school year, I had two days each week I’d plan to wear dresses; which happened to coincide with when I was at church volunteering or doing mom’s group. Different days this school year so I need to figure out what my new plan is…
Also, do you have home dresses and Church/ fancy dresses? I find if I don’t separate then I don’t feel like I have any “nice/fancy” dresses?
I love this question-- I have a few more working horse style dresses that are at home, and my fancier ones I do like to save for mass or date nights. If I'm in the kitchen I have an apron on which helps. I've also noticed that the higher quality linen and cotton fabrics don't hold stains as much as poly does.
Ah, aprons! The workhorse if motherhood, especially if they have big pockets.
TRULY THE BEST!
I love this. I just had my fourth baby, and in the past year have almost completely stopped wearing pants in favor of dresses. I have a couple of pairs of elastic waist linen pants, mostly for doing housework, but I was just telling my husband the other day that I feel like my body isn't made for jeans. Trying to find a pair that fits is so stressful that I've given up the search. I live in the sleeveless Mama dresses from Not Perfect Linen, though the Hill House nap dresses are a favorite of mine too!
Love seeing you here, friend. The search for jeans CAN be so stressful, like no thanks!
Love me a good dress from Tuckernuck!
I’ve never been a dress person. Never. But in the last few years, as I’ve become more comfortable with my womanhood, I’ve been drawn to them. I still don’t feel comfortable in them really, and I need to excavate that! Because I love the idea (as you said, practicality!) and beauty of them in theory!
I think it takes time to find the right kind of dress for you-- I have a friend who mostly loves jeans, but recently found a beautiful gown she loves from Hill House!
What is the right kind of dress for people who love flowy pants and joggers? Accepting recommendations😁
As a long-time mother & now a grandma, try easing into dresses with leggings and either a tunic top or short dress. My favorite is a knee-length chambray shirt dress & leggings.
I’m in a similar boat, always wanted to be a dress person, but still haven’t found the right style. I’m here taking notes!
I have a quite bit of Lands End and LL Bean. I tried April Cornell recently and have been liking their dresses, especially since they have so many cotton options. I will note that their clothes run big imo; and their cuts are usually quite high Edwardian style waisted, so some don’t work with my shorter torso.
I think it took me six (!) pregnancies to realize this, but yes. Dresses truly are the most functional way to dress when you are in your child-bearing years. Nothing accommodates the growing/shrinking cycle like a dress!
I feel like my style changes all the dang time...! I love and am drawn to a nerdy librarian look, but also would wear overalls every day if I could. Since dying my hair pink, I'm leaning into a more "edgy" look and have been wearing more black but playing with textures and silhouettes. For a while I swore off dresses (WHY?!) but since finding a few that I love and feel beautiful in, I'm trying to add in more dresses into my wardrobe. I have a linen midi dress that has thin straps that I adore; it's comfortable and light, I love the length and the flowy bottom, and I love that I can layer under and over it for different settings and temperatures. I also have a midi dress with sleeves and buttons all down the front - it's a classic silhouette but it's a bold leopard print that I feel so sassy in! I've fallen in love with the midi length, but also love a shorter dress/skirt option with tights or leggings for colder weather. I also love a jumpsuit...! I find it so much easier to get dressed with "one pieces" like a dress, jumpsuit, overalls, etc!! Thank you for sharing your favorite dress brands! I tend to shop primarily secondhand at thrift stores and on Poshmark, so I'm eager to have some more options to look into! Also, I appreciate that most of the brands you linked have plus size options - thank you!!! <3
I went and tried on jeans on my lunch break the other day, massive regret. I tried on three different sizes…. I think I’m gonna ditch them too
This is just fabulously well put. I completely relate. ❤️ Little Cottonwood and Shop Dahl are my "go to" because they are not as pricey.
I am finding I wear a lot more dresses. Short sleeve swingy-type dresses that I can pair with leggings - and a jacket or sweater - tend to work well for me. I would love to hear about dresses that are particularly forgiving and can accommodate my 'perma-womb'. That would be my mid-section which has been stretched and (not entirely) sprung back after 8 pregnancies. :-) I'm sure the 3 c/sections didn't help either. I don't mean to complain, because I am grateful for my beautiful family. I just don't want anyone to think I'm pregnant at 52, as a grandmother. I also don't want to wear dresses that look like sloppy tents, you know? A little definition, but something for that belly. Anybody got any ideas for me? Thanks in advance!