three lessons about getting dressed
some reflections on getting dressed 9 months pregnant, recent outfits, a good pair of work pants, a chic summer walking sandal and more
Entering my 9th month of pregnancy, I have some thoughts about getting dressed. These are not new thoughts, but being pregnant really reaffirmed them for me.
Getting dressed and feeling good in what I’m wearing has been so vital for my mental health. My brain works better, I have more energy. I accomplish more. The days I gave up and didn’t care to get dressed properly…it was next to impossible to get things done. Those are the days I couldn’t wait to go to bed at night/catch up on bravo shows in bed (while also simultaneously dreading going to bed because it’s so uncomfortable).
Can’t tell you how many times (especially 30 weeks onwards) when I’d see someone when I’m wearing jeans and they would go “how are you in jeans! all i wore pregnant is sweatpants!!!”
It reminded me how clients always express concerns about what people will say about their new troupe outfits. Clients feel this worry that friends will see them in these outfits and say ‘whoa you’re so fancy today’ (because people are used to seeing them dressed in a different way, less put together, less styled.) And for some reason, we can feel judged when someone comments on how ‘dressed up’ we are even if we were so proud of how we felt in that outfit when we walked out the door.
This is a reminder, if someone makes a comment that you look ‘dressed up’…don’t take it the wrong way. Be confident! Take it as a compliment and be proud you put some effort in.
I think there’s a misconception about looking ‘effortless.’ It doesn’t mean looking like you put no effort in. Most people in a great outfit clearly put some thought into their outfit (for some that might come more naturally than others). Showing that you care a little gives the perception that you are someone who takes care of yourself, and that’s a good thing. To me, looking effortless is about being comfortable in what you’re wearing, no fussing over it…wearing it with ease and confidence because it feels like yourself and your style.
We need so much less than we think we do. I have worn the same pieces over and over again. And to my surprise, I didn’t get as bored of them as I thought I would. I relied on colour combos, juxtaposition, adding something unexpected, and changing up my accessories to make outfits feel interesting and different from the day before. (for example: “I am going to wear all black with a pop of white today” or “I have to wear sneakers today so I will offset it with elastic waist trousers and a long coat to make it a more balanced look)
I took screenshots of inspo (put them in an album or on pinterest) and used them to help me get dressed. Pairing a navy sweater with blue jeans because of an outfit I saved on pinterest made me feel styled. It made me feel good to be wearing something I chose to wear, instead of feeling like I got dressed and just put on whatever fit me (which doesn’t give you any satisfaction).
Hope that helps some of you change your mindset the next time you find yourself in a style rut or struggling to get dressed.
Some outfits I wore recently that might help you get dressed: