12 Pretty Spring Dresses

I was thinking this too! Also, again not to be a downer just to inform, Doen recent said that they are NOT slow fashion or sustainable like they led everyone to believe for years. It’s been pretty devastating to the Doen community who has been supporting them through the years under the assumption they were sustainable. Doen let the label of “sustainability” bring them business and didn’t correct anyone when it wasn’t true anymore! There were articles as recent as 2019 when they were clearly positioning themselves as sustainable and just yesterday they said they don’t consider themselves sustainable.

That, combined with the alarming (!) employee reviews on Glassdoor, the fact that they can’t promise that 27% of their factories pay a fair wage, and how long it took for them to listen to their community and diversify their sizes and models, I’m not sure I can support! It’s like where is my money going? I thought the high price was warranted for sustainable pieces, but now?

If anyone is curious to see some receipts check @doensecondhand stories on Instagram or see the comments on some of Doens most recent Instagram posts.

They usually have plenty of reviews on their site and I would never buy until there are a few so that I can gauge sizing and fit…but their clothes are pretty good in general and the colours are beautiful!

I’m not Cheryl ;-), but I find that the Boden dresses run a little bit bigger. I need to go one size down with their clothes. But that might be individual.
The quality is great!
Regards
Anja

I normally am a 2 or a 4 in US sizes, and usually order a 4 or a 6 in Boden. Anything that zips or button a 6, anything that is a pull on, size 4.

Hi there, I’m the Cheryl! I’d definitely agree the sizing is true to size and I order a Tall only because I really need to move around in my day and I hate when I feel like I’m constantly worried my dress is hiking up.
One option to consider is ordering a dress or two you like from Nordstrom’s selection of Boden. That way you get super easy delivery and returns and can figure out your sizing. The Boden website is more restrictive and if an item is on sale it must be returned within the week. Just some food for thought! Happy shopping.

The thing I love about Boden is that they provide garment measurements for everything. Click on the size guide and scroll to the bottom for the garment measurements (vs the body measurements at the top). This really helps me figure out which is the best size depending on how I want something to fit. I wish all brands did this.

Second this! Maybe even one dress styled a few ways for multiple weddings?

was just talking with my bestie about, like, “okay so after the pandemic, what is happening with style? are we picking up where we left off in 2019, or is that gonna look dated now?!” specifically came up for wedding guest outfits & in-person-hanging-with-friends/celebration outfits! help!!

I came to the comments to see if anyone mentioned that, LOL!

She’s really just showing how impossible it is to bend down in it – god forbid you drop your keys!! ?

Yes! I have this dress in four colors:https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-cap-sleeve-surplice-wrap-maxi-dress—print/id_348508?attributes=8064,43307,43324,44256,44967,45074
It works like a charm for easy access, washes well, doesn’t sag even with me pulling it down all the time, and looks nice too. Good for running around with a couple of kids. Plus landsend has frequent coupons so it is a reasonable price.

I wore the Toad & Co Cue wrap dresses nonstop. They make them in long sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, and sleeveless. Easy and light in the summer or add tights, boots, and a cardigan for winter. Plus, pockets!

I loved Boob dresses when I was breastfeeding! https://www.boobdesign.com/shop/i-am-looking-for/dresses-maternity-nursing

Thanks for all the suggestions!!

Holy moly. This is literally, to the word, exactly my situation. I also just sold and donated a bunch of my clothes in an effort to face reality, that waiting to fit into my clothes again won’t work. Also, soon I won’t have a winter jacket to hide under!
Am trying to embrace the change and have a little grace with myself. To that end, I’m psyching myself up to get starting building a small but sustainable wardrobe including pieces I make myself. I think linen pants are a good start! Maybe high-waisted, cropped loose fit (light-weight) jeans? I’m thinking I might also embrace A-line dresses. Loose-fitting cotton tank tops with scoop necks that show lots of collarbone are a good way to draw the eye up, too.

How do you feel about dresses? I live in the jersey dresses from Boden with a sweater in the summer. I’m wearing this now with a jacket in unseasonably warm weather: https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/lola-jersey-dress-summit-scallop-row/sty-j0592-blu?cat=C1_S2_G4

High waisted loose pants are amazing! I have some in flowy cotton and in linen. They are so comfy, give off summer vibes, and are good for hot humid weather. It’s a bit of adjustment after wearing tighter clothes like leggings but I swear once you get used to them you’ll never go back! Some of my favorite pairs are just basic H&M cotton pants, I wear them with everything. I’ve found loose jeans don’t work as well for me, maybe because the material is so stiff, but I know some people love it.

Thanks all! I lived in Old Navy linen pants last few summers back when mosquitos were my biggest fear (oh, the days) so absolutely agree to the idea, it’s mainly about finding fit now since those don’t flatter/got tighter.

Check out Old Navy! They have a lot of flowy dresses, linen bottoms, and jumpsuits that you would look great in!

Highly recommend athletic skorts with little attached boy shorts/bike shorts underneath. They’re my summer version of high waisted leggings and are comfy, forgiving and practical!

The NYT’s “Here to Help” column featured a similar question this morning! The answer seemed to be belts, A-line dresses, high-waisted pants and shirts tucked into skirts.

Good point! You could read into it, but uhh, we won’t…

I know, right!? ?

ugh. to me the babydoll is so infantilizing! but to each their own.

Ooh – thanks Joanna! Diving into these right now…

I second that! I’m dying to know where the midi is from! x

I am 5’2″, too…maybe Caroline would do a post about dresses for those of us on the petite size.

I have the opposite problem as a tall person – so many dresses are cute but are sooooo short! The shirt dress looks cute, but can I bend over in it without flashing people?? So, amen to variety of styles.

Yes, please! Petite sizing always appreciated.

The nap dress from Hill House. . .they specifically say they have pregnant women and breastfeeding moms in mind with their Ellie dress!
https://www.hillhousehome.com/collections/the-nap-dress-shop

Last summer I was pregnant with an early August due date baby. I lived in 3 cotton maternity dresses from H&M, Old Navy, and Gap. I typically avoid fast fashion, but pregnancy is short. I was impressed that H&M had organic cotton. Their striped sleeveless organic cotton jersey dress was $12 and I wore it every other day for 3 months and plan to wear it again this summer (when not 9 months pregnant).

I love Target and OId Navy maternity!

Seraphine! They are a little more $ than Gap or Old Navy (I just bought two that were $75 each) but can be worn throughout and after.
https://www.seraphine.com/en-us/

Hatch designed a line for Target! There is also a really cute non maternity dress I see lots of people styling with a bump:

https://www.target.com/p/women-39-s-short-sleeve-wrap-dress-universal-thread-8482-black-l/-/A-79575116

I also suggest Old Navy and H&M!

Still not working sadly! Love that one.