***PLEASE NOTE SOME OF THE LINKS IN THE POST MAY BE AFFILIATE LINKS***

I’ve been loving all the posts for our summer challenge. One thing I’ve noticed again and again is how many of us are pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones, wearing things that don’t feel “normal” for us.

Some of those steps are the obvious ones: wearing shorts, short sleeves, or showing our arms. Often, that’s tied to how we feel about our bodies and how comfortable (or uncomfortable) we are putting certain areas on display.

But there’s another thread I keep seeing… discomfort around wearing a simple, pretty dress.

And it got me thinking, why does this feel so big for so many of us?

Do we feel too dressed up?
Do we worry people will think we’ve made “too much effort”?
Does it not feel “practical enough”?

Here’s the thing: dresses are so practical it’s almost laughable. One piece, and you’re done. Add a pair of chub-rub shorts underneath and you’re golden.

If you think about it, women used to wear house dresses every single day, cleaning, cooking, chasing toddlers, running errands without a second thought.

And while I’d never knock the progress women made when we started wearing trousers (because yes to choice), somewhere along the way we started saving our dresses for “special occasions” that never come often enough.

We buy them because we love them. Because they’re pretty. Because they make us feel happy in the changing room. And then… they sit in the wardrobe, waiting for the “right” day.

I think a lot of this is down to conditioning. We’ve been taught, in ways big and small, to make ourselves smaller, not just in body, but in presence.

A dress can feel like a statement. Like you’re inviting attention (Thinking about that well meant compliment thats that we sometimes receive!) And many of us have learned to avoid that. We’ve been told blending in is safe, while standing out is risky.

But here’s the truth: you deserve to be seen. To take up space. To feel lovely, whether you’re popping to the shop, doing the school run, or loading the dishwasher.

Wearing a dress (if you want to) isn’t about impressing anyone else. It’s about showing yourself that you’re worth a little joy, a little beauty, a little effort… even if it’s secretly less effort than jeans and a top.

So here’s your official permission slip: wear the dress. To the park. For the school run. On the sofa. Just because.

You don’t need a special occasion.
You and your life are the occasion. ✨

And if that has you itching to add a new dress to your wardrobe ;) here are some lovely ones I’ve spotted in the shops right now… (some are even in the sale!)

SPRING