The hard working dress

Even though I haven’t been blogging as much lately due to the new baby, I always knew I wanted to share this dress with you. I bought it last summer when I was around five months pregnant with Kittie in a bid to liven up my maternity wardrobe – I wore it open over maternity jeans and a top, a bit like a kimono, with the intention of wearing it as a dress post-bump. Despite being a maxi dress it’s light and airy, and it washes well and feels really soft on the skin (it’s viscose, I love viscose, I am forever checking labels and discarding anything polyester or acrylic, no really, it’s true…) This dress is a delight to wear.

I styled it here with heels and a cute bag (yep, it’s that bag from the Insta Story, love it or hate it) to let you see how pretty this dress could be for a summer soiree, such as a wedding or garden party, perhaps even the races with the right hat or headband. But I’d also wear it with my Supergas at the weekend, maybe with a basket or a cross-body bag, generally a much more relaxed vibe. (In fact, after this shoot I slipped right into my trainers and did the weekly shop at Sainsbury’s.)

The shirt dress is a classic piece which will suit almost anyone – it’s just about finding the right proportions for you. Try different lengths to discover the hemline that shows off your best bits, and don’t be put off by a dress you love if it’s not quite right – have it taken up, or check the hem to see if there’s enough fabric to let it down. Similarly, if you like sleeveless but the dress you’ve fallen for has a long sleeve, simply cut them off. Et voila! Making small adjustments (or if, like me, you’re useless at sewing, finding someone else to make small adjustments) is a simple trick but one that means you have so many more options when shopping.

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With this in mind, I think this is the way forward when it comes to maternity dressing. Of course, some basics are necessary (such as maternity jeans/trousers, a couple of longer length tops, that sort of thing) but through two pregnancies I’ve learned it’s easier to size up in clothes you’d actually wear, rather than buy something just because it’s maternity because a) it probably won’t feel like you and b) you probably won’t ever wear it again.

The hard thing about maternity fashion is that the clothes are, generally speaking, pretty shit. You’re adjusting to your new shape but want to try and maintain your own personal style so, instead of wasting money on maternity pieces, simply look for clothes you truly like that are ‘bump friendly’. This dress would work well closed for a few months early on, especially as the waist sits a little high because it will allow for an expanding waistline, and it looked amazing worn open over my jeans when I was seven and eight months pregnant. Now, post-bump, it makes me feel great despite the fact that I’m a stone over my usual weight. What’s more, if and when I do get back to my former size (for no other reason than to get back into my many clothes) I can have it taken in so that I can continue to enjoy it. Now, that’s a hard working dress, and £40 well spent in my opinion.

Would you wear a maxi shirt dress? How would you style yours?

 

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I’m wearing: shirt dress, Zara (similar here* and here*, new styles here and here); shoes*, Office; bag, charity shop (similar here*); prescription sunglasses, IOLLA (gifted); necklaces, feather by Lily Blanche (gifted) and dragonfly* by Alex Monroe.

All make up by Trinny London* (gifted), except mascara which is Marc Jacobs (it’s AMAZING and yes, gifted).

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Location: Claypotts Castle, Broughty Ferry.

Images: Kris Miller.

* marks affiliate link, which means I earn commission on any items purchased through The Daydreamer – you’re not charged any more or less, but it helps to maintain the blog.

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2 Comments

  1. Louise 1st May 2019 / 06:10

    Love florals for summer and this look really suits you. I’d love to know more about how you’ve found the Trinny London products after a longer period of time.. Would love to invest but it’s an expensive purchase without seeing them before I buy!

    • Christina Miller
      Author
      2nd May 2019 / 07:00

      Hi Louise, thanks for reading the post and the compliment on the dress – I feel great wearing it, which is how we should feel in our clothes. Do you have any shirt dresses?

      That’s really funny as I was considering writing another blog post on Trinny London since using them for the last eight months – I’ve really grown to love the products I have. I’ll try and get this done in the next couple of weeks, thanks for the suggestion. In the meantime, have you done the Match2Me on the website? It helps you see which colours and products should suit you. xxx

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