I didn’t fall, I didn’t slip. It was entirely intentional.
Slipping was so worth it because I found the unicorn of dresses.
Since starting my no-buy year, I had this running list in my head of the perfect summer outfit, and I assumed I’d never, ever find something that checked every single box.
And then I did. Look at this dress. It looks so unassuming, doesn’t it? So simple?
It’s simply amazing. Look at all these boxes it checks:
• Breastfeeding friendly. Just look at that magnificent front zipper.
• Pumping friendly. Again, zipper. I can wear my hands free pumping bras with just a bit of bra strap showing (who cares anyway?) and pump in my car with minimal disrobing.
• Babywearing friendly. Easy to add the Ergo on top – no uncomfortable gapping or readjusting my waistband to accommodate.
• Zipper pockets. Let me repeat that again for the crowd in the back: zipper pockets. Amazing. I can even access them while baby wearing.
• Doesn’t show sweat. Yep, tested that one already, via baby wearing and generally stepping outside. It’s SO HUMID already.
• Lightweight. This fabric is so breezy and lightweight, I can imagine wearing it all summer.
• Doesn’t show dog hair. This amazing fabric doesn’t collect tons of dog hair or other grime (hellooo, kid hands and spilled drinks and mysterious playground grit).
• Getting down on the floor, bending over, and biking friendly. It has built in shorts. YASS.
• Goes with all my shoes. I can wear this with all my regulars: birks, tennis shoes, casual sandals, even ‘fancy’ sandals. Which I don’t own, but theoretically might someday own?
• Decision-free. It’s one piece. I don’t have to think to get dressed, except to pick out shoes, which actually makes me happy. And 99% of the time, the choice is Birkenstocks.
• Low-maintenance. Just wash and hang dry, like the rest of my clothes.
I am literally going to wear this dress all summer. And to prove it, I bought a second one of them. (Don’t worry, hubs, I had a really good coupon). Doing laundry every couple days will take me wayyy less time than deciding what to wear every day.
I’m on day two of my new life with this dress and I am elated. As I was biking home to breastfeed my baby, my phone and my bike lock key safely secured in my zipped pockets, I exulted in the simplicity. In how my clothes were making my life easier instead of more complicated.
The freedom I have been feeling for the last 24 hours clarified for me the extent to which clothes restrict and hinder us—us being women, particularly. How many times have I modified my behavior to suit my clothes (skipping a bike ride for the sake of my skirt? Taking the bus or driving instead of walking because my shoes were uncomfortable? Dodging my dog and kids to avoid hair and handprints? Not sitting down on stools or backless chairs because my pants were so low slung <– that one is clearly circa 2000 😆 ).
What a joy it is to be able to move in the way I want to, do use my body in the ways I need to throughout my day, without having to negotiate with my clothes. What a revelation to have my clothes work for me instead of the other way around.
Athleta, if you’re listening, first up, THANK YOU. You made my life so much easier. And, an idea for you: please make this dress in tall sizes, too. I’ll buy five more. No exaggeration.
It makes me feel slightly more human that you bought something. I was like, holy shit, is she really going to go a whole year of not buying a single item of clothing? I certainly can’t do it. Ha. I have to keep figuring out and figuring out and refiguring out my damn wardrobe because…babies…changing bodies…blegh.