In the last 7 years, I think I've probably worn dresses a total of 10 times. Not because I don't like dresses, but because, um, I'm always having children or nursing. That's pretty much put a damper on wearing dresses.
Many times, when I find a dress that I love and flatters my post-baby figure, I find that it won't work to nurse in. Or if I find a dress that will work for nursing, it's knit and hugs all the parts of my body that I don't really want hugged. Thank you very much. So yeah, I don't wear dresses much.
Recently, I've been eyeing dresses from the 40s and 50s on etsy. Love them, but my body isn't fitting into most of them any time soon (or ever) because the vast majority of them fall somewhere between an xxs and s. I do remember my grandmother telling me when I first got pregnant that she weighed 115 lbs at the 9 month mark of her first pregnancy. (Then I silently reminded myself that she smoked throughout all five of her pregnancies....) So yeah, as much as I love vintage, I have a hard time finding it to fit myself.
Then Shabby Apple got my attention their Dare to Design competition! I love Shabby Apple, I love their love for vintage and their commitment to modesty. I have one of their dresses... which has been worn about half of the times I've worn a dress in the past few years. It's this one:
It's fabulous, I love the way it fits and I love that I feel great when I wear it even though I'm not particular happy with my post-baby body. I'd wear it more often, if only I wan't nursing most of the time.
So, I took Shabby Apple up on their challenge to design a 40's style dress. This is what I'd want, if I could have my way. And in honor of my Granny, who was a beautiful woman, who only weighed 115 at the end of her pregnancy, and who believed that you should always look your best for your husband when he returns from a hard days work, here's my "Welcome Home, Dear" dress.
So, tell me, if you were to design a dress, what would it look like?
