Wardrobe Basics Part 2: Minimalistic, Functional Fashion

Stretchhhhhy! That's all I have to say about this dress. Okay, there's more: I am enjoying accepting that I need a little stretch in my wardrobe. Embracing this gives so much flexibility to those like me who are looking to feel confident and love their body today, but are also working toward some health and body goals for the future. This dress that I am wearing is actually a maternity dress. But because it has such great functionality, this Old Navy jersey dress can be worn in any season, any change my body will experience now or in the future. It is slightly fitted so after I popped out baby, it adjusted back down with me. Postpartum mamas may also appreciate tops and necklines that are easy to pull down for nursing. This dress accomplishes that for me which is why it is such a clutch basic in my wardrobe. Breastfeeding has been an around the clock job and it is so important to me to have nice clothing items in my closet that I can grab, go, feel good in and not have to think twice about whether it's going to work if I am feeling bloated, engorged, tired, or just want to lay low and run some errands. If I want, I can cover it up with an open cardigan sweater- which I did a lot after delivering my daughter and learning how to be comfortable with the mommy tummy that I gained.

Buuuut, a basic like this can also be dressed up with a leather or jean jacket, a trench coat, a sweater scarf and some nice sandals or heels (this tall mama sticks with flats most of the time) and still give a fantastic look for days when we are feeling like doing more and taking some risks with our fashion expression. Solid block colors are also easier in some ways to reuse and rotate into endless combinations for other outfit ideas from our closet; hence, why I am loving this black dress even more. Basics. Make them work for you!

For those of us going through changes in our body, are on a budget and are looking to keep life minimal all at the same time, basics like this can take your self-confidence from 0 to 100! It takes a little intentional thought and planning when shopping and committing to our wardrobe. I have been learning to love my body in every stage it goes through and sometimes having something as simple as a well-fitting and comfortable "go-to" outfit changes the way I feel. It helps when things are not feeling too tight and out of place. Embrace the lyrca, spandex, elastic, etc.! Many clothing lines are getting really inclusive and fashionable with their styles having these types of fabrics woven in.

What do you do to help you feel comfortable and fashionable in the now when your body is going through changes?

If you missed Part 1:)

Photo Credit: Zachary Boyd- my husband

Outfit Items:
Dress- Old Navy- maternity
Sweater Cardigan- H&M
Shoes- Nordstrom Rack
Sunglasses- Aldos