The Rest of the Year
June 9, 2009
So the overwhelming majority of people do not like the maxi dress. Some of the comments made me laugh and honestly I never thought of it as being the equivalent of the “mom jeans.” But even after reading all of the comments, I am still torn.
What about other fashion choices?
For years and years and years I have sworn off shorts. Probably close to 10 years. I just really don’t think that they are flattering. AT ALL. In fact, when I see women wearing them I almost always think that they would look better in something else. Like a skirt.
However, since I have moved to Texas I have bought shorts and not only that I wear them all the time. Out in public even. And yes, I realize that I too would look better in something other than shorts. It is just that now, at 40 years old, I don’t really care anymore.
I am pretty tired of capri pants. They scream suburban housewife like no other piece of clothing that I can think of.
Oh wait, I can think of something else. Baseball caps where the mother has her hair in a ponytail pulled out through the hole in the back of the hat. I hate that look. It makes the baby Jesus cry.
So now I bring you to the dress I wore yesterday. It is like the opposite of the maxi dress. It is too short, too low cut, and too tight to be flattering on anyone other than a 13 year old. I wear it around the neighborhood, going to the pool, hanging out in my yard, etc. Apparently I do not care what I look like while handing Popsicles out the neighborhood kids.
It shows off my sternum nicely.
The photo is blurry because I had my 8yr old son take the picture last night and he was too tired to hold the camera steady. Wah wah wah. Except then I looked at the clock and realized it was midnight. We had not arrived home from my oldest son’s baseball practice until 10:00pm last night. And then we had dinner and were relaxing.
And just after that realization I had a second one. I had just texted Mir with some inane comment and was wondering why she hadn’t texted me back. Um, it could be because it was 1:00am east coast time and other people do things like sleep. Something my entire family shuns.
You should be happy I don’t have your phone number.
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You look like one hot mama to me! I am jealous - I want to look like that, too! I certainly don’t equate that little dress as sururban mom material - I say if you like it, wear it wherever you want…
June 9th, 2009 at 1:36 pmThat dress is much better on you!
June 9th, 2009 at 1:45 pmI think you look great in that dress. Don’t underestimate yourself. I am older than you and I wear dresses like that and love them. I also like longer tops and leggings. I like Maxis, but not for every day life.
June 9th, 2009 at 1:49 pmI like it. But seriously, I hope I can look as good as you when I’m done having kids! (FYI- I haven’t even started)
June 9th, 2009 at 1:50 pmWow, you look great in that!
June 9th, 2009 at 1:57 pmIf I looked like that after having so many babies (or even without having any babies), I’d wear that dress as well.
June 9th, 2009 at 1:58 pmI think you look great in the dress. I didn’t care for the maxi dress and cracked up when you said that it makes you think of maxi pad every time you say it:) I am 41, thin like you and I wear shorts:) I also wear my hair in the baseball cap (pulled through the back) when I don’t want to wash my hair. LOL
June 9th, 2009 at 1:59 pmI think that dress looks great. I too hate shorts…….rarely wear them. I loves skirts!
June 9th, 2009 at 2:04 pmVery nice! Less frumpy
June 9th, 2009 at 2:07 pmWhat if you are 30, not a mom and look like you are 14? Does your hair in a ponytail under a baseball cap still make the baby Jesus cry? If so…that poor baby cries a lot around me. LOL. That’s my “I like baseball and my hair won’t do crap” look. Heh. I also wear shorts. But only bermuda shorts b/c even I don’t want to see my thighs…
I like the dress you wore yesterday. I liked the other dress too.
June 9th, 2009 at 2:07 pmI love baseball caps (but do not do the ponytail thing)! Admittedly I only wear one when doing sport, in appropriate clothing, such as when I play tennis on a very sunny day. However I will say that people either suit baseball caps or they don’t.
I struggle to stay awake till midnight so lord knows how your kids manage! I know you tend to go to bed later than we do (kids by 8, us around 10.30), so does that mean you sleep in later too? We get up around 7.30-8 for school but I know you have the ‘luxury’ of home schooling and thus no fixed time requirement to be ready and out. Our kids need 11 hours sleep on a school night, annoyingly less at the weekends and more than they needed as babies! I like around 8 hours myself, ahh!
June 9th, 2009 at 2:20 pmThat’s another great dress!!!!! I just don’t understand why everything has to be so low cut in the front!!??!!
June 9th, 2009 at 2:27 pmThat dress is totally cute and looks great on you! I’d wear it with pride!
June 9th, 2009 at 2:29 pmthat dress looks good to me! But then i suffer from skirt/dress envy because they just look like total crap on me.
I was up at 1am East Cost time. should have called. i was STILL working and could have used the procrastination. might not have been too coherent, mind you, but perhaps entertaining!
June 9th, 2009 at 2:33 pmI would wear that dress in a heart beat if I could, but unfortunately not in this incarnation! I also liked the maxi but I am not sure what situation I would see myself wearing it in, but then I do not have a life! Enjoy.
June 9th, 2009 at 2:37 pmTHAT dress rocks. and as a fellow no-boober, i quite like the look a sternum where cleavage should be.
before moving to texas i was with you on the no shorts thing. but the thing about texas is that its soooooooooo hot. shorts don’t seem that bad.
June 9th, 2009 at 2:38 pmI like this dress MUCH better than the maxi dress. It is not too short nor low cut. You are not changing diapers anymore so shouldn’t have to worry too much about bending over a lot. I think it is very cute and stylish while still being comfortable in Texas heat.
June 9th, 2009 at 2:39 pmI too have had the maxi vs mini dress struggle this spring/summer. The mini is a clear winner… I have bought (and returned) many a maxi but kept all the minis. Still wearing slightly inappropriate bikinis too. Apparently, I’m having trouble letting go of my youth… Sometimes it’s just nice to feel not so “mom”…
Chris says: I gave up the bikinis long long ago and I can say without the slightest doubt that I will never go back there. There are just some things that are not meant to be seen in the light of day.
June 9th, 2009 at 2:40 pmTHIS dress is fabulous…much better look than the maxi dress.
I am so ready to trade in my shorts for skirts…maybe you’ve just inspired me to get busy!
June 9th, 2009 at 2:43 pmI’d do anything to be able to rock that dress. I’m not a fan of the maxi dress on most people. I agree about shorts and capris but I do find myself resorting to my cropped jeans a lot. I have a few casual skirts I wear with tanktops when it gets really hot. BAH. Dressing at our age is HARD.
June 9th, 2009 at 2:52 pmI am delurking to ask about the cute short dress! I love it and would like to enjoy wearing it during our short summer here in Northern Iowa. I love reading your blog and think your kids are too cute. My boys want long hair like your boys. However, mine are blessed with grass-like hair as opposed to your boys’ sweet little curls and flips. I think my boys would look like Cousin It.
Chris says: The dress is from Old Navy. I got it a month or so ago, but I think they still have them there. It was like $10 which makes me love it even more.
June 9th, 2009 at 2:55 pmChris, you totally ROCK in that black dress. If I looked like you, and had a dress like that, I would wear it EVERYWHERE! I first thought you had included a clip from a catalog asking for another opinion on a different dress! Eschew the maxi–go for the sexy little dress.
June 9th, 2009 at 2:57 pmYou look great I say wear what you want. when you want to
question where is your head. It has been missing in the last two photos.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:01 pm1. You look hot!
2. I am starting to not care what I look like and I’m only 27.
3. You could so call me in the middle of the night. Just know you’ll get cursed out! LOL!
June 9th, 2009 at 3:18 pmYou are so right about the shorts. I try to be fashionable, really I do, and I try really hard not to wear shorts because well, they do not look very nice on me. I look nice in jeans and a sweater, or a long sleeve T. I love the long sleeve T. Sadly I also live in Texas and 11 months out of the year it’s stinkin’ hot and the other month it’s Christmas. I get to wear the long sleeve T for about 5 minutes here.
The rest of the year I try to care, really I do. But well, it’s sort of a mater of survival down here. You just have to wear as little as possible whether it’s flattering or not. The good thing is, mostly we’re all to melty to judge anyone else for wearing unflattering clothing in August.
Sigh. I should move north…like to Alaska.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:21 pmMuch Much better! Now when you are hot you will look hot!
June 9th, 2009 at 3:22 pmAs I sit here with my hair in a ponytail wearing a hat– not a baseball hat, mind you, a very cute painter/conductor hat– I have to say that I really like your dress. I don’t think it’s too short– it looks great.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:22 pmUm, fanning myself - ’cause that is HOT!
Really, I am not certain I could wear it, even IF I were thin. I have gotten quite modest in my old age of, well - 40 something!
But you do look great in it - from what can be seen of headless, burry, Chris!
I gotta tell ya - we moved to Austin shortly after getting married (I was 29) - and went to a concert at U.T. (before kids) and this chick (like 19/20) arrived to her seat in front of us, had on a sundress with spaghetti straps (I had one JUST like it but wore the t-shirt that came with it because the front was loosey, and the sides LOW!) She did not have on *required* shirt (lol), and climbed over someone to get to her seat, and one entire boob flopped out! I almost passed out - thinking, “IS THIS Austin style dressin’?” - OMG, glanced quickly to check on my husband (lol!) who had not seen this - thank God!
Of course Austin is home to all kinds, and that is really what I came to love about it. Just sundress, hot summer daze (!) reminded me of this! I had moved there from a very wintery, very, very Northern climate, and at first was feeling like I lived in a foreign country.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:26 pm(oops ~ BLURRY ~ must stop drinking wine when reading/commenting on blogs. It is bedtime here!)
June 9th, 2009 at 3:27 pmThis dress is quite flattering on you!
June 9th, 2009 at 3:29 pmPERFECT. You look great. And about the “maxi dress.” its just the style of the one you chose. (just say no to excess patterns after age 10) they should be solid colors, and similar to this black short number only full length…Old Navy was calling their latest knit version a “town dress” and this is what we 20-30something young professionals are wearing on Sunday to brunch and shop and booze it up at our fave artsy cafes, etc. You can pull it off with your figure. Trust.
I share your zero tolerance for shorts on grown women and I live in Houston; Target has these nifty to-the-knee cargo-ish long shorts that are not quite capris, are very casual, very hip, and very durable. i THINK they were called “scrub” shorts? COULD be mistaken. think beachy sporty with some complicated industrious-looking details like snaps and D-loops and pockets…
June 9th, 2009 at 3:30 pmi also HATE shorts. never wear them and VERY few people look good at them.
i bought a maxi dress, but haven’t worn it yet. are they really mom-jean-ish?? i thought they were hip. shows what i know…
Chris says: I thought they were hip too. But maybe they are only hip on 20 yr olds
June 9th, 2009 at 3:32 pmyou can text me in the middle of the night… It’s 8 hours later here.
Of course it would be long distance, so maybe we’ll just have to stick with me reading your blog. And, I second Ann’s comment. You look great in that dress. When I lived in Texas, I wore as little as possible, and fashion be dammed.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:46 pmYou ROCK that dress! And I agree with you on the capris. AND my family shuns sleep too. And THAT makes the baby Jesus cry. Or at least me.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:47 pmMy friend calls capris “old lady shorts.” I bought some last year, though, since shorts are no longer my friend except for going jogging or something. Come to think of it, maybe if I jogged more often then my thighs would look OK enough to wear shorts more often. I love skirts. Dresses, too, except I’ve been nursing babies for the last 6 years, so skirts for now.
June 9th, 2009 at 4:06 pmI was going to say “this might be just me,” but apparently, it’s everyone.
June 9th, 2009 at 4:13 pmThat dress looks FANTASTIC!
I am pro maxi dress and pro mini dress. and I love when the mini dress has a little more ’swing’ to it and less lycra
I think that if you like it and you feel comfortable in it then you should wear it regardless of what everyone else thinks.
I don’t wear Capri’s. I abhor capri’s because they do not flatter anyone in any situation but apparently half of suburban Tx thinks they are way cool because they wear them.
If I have to suffer through seeing capri’s then they can suffer through me and my dresses.
I agree on shorts, but really - it’s too hot hear to wear jeans much
June 9th, 2009 at 4:30 pm*here not hear….4 of my 5 children are talking all at once. sorry
June 9th, 2009 at 4:31 pmnow! that is hot…
June 9th, 2009 at 4:32 pmThis is SO much better than the maxi dress. SOOOO much better!
The maxi dress could be a curtain. Could you get second one so you could hang one on each side of a window?
June 9th, 2009 at 4:42 pmI am sorry for all those who don’t like the shorts. It is amazing that once the temperature reaches Hellfire, you do what you got to do. As far as suggesting skirts, yeah, well I don’t think you would like to see my underwear, which seems to always happen when I decide to wear a skirt and chase some kids. I think I have a fashion disability called: Spaz!
June 9th, 2009 at 4:57 pmrock some bermuda shorts! they give you the thigh coverage we all crave but are cuter than capris!
June 9th, 2009 at 5:12 pmHow is it you have that body after 8 children?!
Chris says: Because I only have 7
June 9th, 2009 at 5:19 pmI agree with you that shorts are unflattering on almost all women, myself included. But I too live in Texas and even capris get too hot when you’re outside at a baseball game in the middle of July. I do wear skirts most of the time, but I have a few pairs of shorts for baseball games. I figure I’m not really trying to impress anyone at a Rangers game, so why not.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:21 pm1) you look great in that dress!
2) Capris- really? Great, now what am I going to wear? I don’t like skirts because I don’t think I look so good in skirt. I can’t figure out what length to go with or even what shoes to wear with them. I’m not tall nor skinny & capris lengthen me out nicely, I think.
I always have a pony-tail, no baseball cap though. :p
June 9th, 2009 at 5:31 pmthe black dress is adorable and you should never take it off except for the requisite wash cycles. but as for the maxi dress, speaking as a woman who works IN NEW YORK CITY - IN FASHION, it’s adorable, you look good in it, and you can pull it off. a lot of women wear them to “hide” everything - but the thing they don’t seem to realize is how much those dresses show off your (clearly good) body when you move. it’s the exact opposite of mom jeans: it’s got style, flair, and the sartorial-audacity to do sexy without skank. and i’d just like to put this to rest. i’ve convened a jury of my peers around my computer, and representative authority has spoken. you rock it.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:31 pmI look pregnant in all dresses. I wear shorts, but my definition is almost to the knee shorts. This dress is adorable on you. If you had big boobs it would be offensive:)
Maybe I should get a blog and have everyone else tell me how to dress. On second thought…no.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:40 pmI have a maxi dress that pretty much looks like your short dress - but longer. I love it. It’s so comfortable and it looks kinda dressy, I think. And people have complimented me in it and I don’t think they were lying. But hey, I am way younger than you so I can wear whatever I want. I’m 38:)
June 9th, 2009 at 5:50 pmI agree- I love that dress!! You look fantastic!! I just can’t get into the maxi dress, not sure why.
June 9th, 2009 at 6:11 pmThat dress is awesome on you! If you aren’t one to burn easily, go for it - wear it outside anywhere!
I have some jersey knit skirts that I wear all summer. They are from H&M, Lucy, and Old Navy, all of which are still selling them this year.
June 9th, 2009 at 6:27 pmIf I looked as good as you in that black dress, I’d never take it off! I live in Florida and struggle all the time with what to wear. I’m only 5′1″, so capri pants just seem to make me look even shorter. I’ve been wearing longer bermuda type shorts for the last couple of years. If I wore skirts while chasing my boys around, some unfortunate soul would end up seeing something that might end up scarring their eyes forever. And the thought of a skort just makes me shudder.
June 9th, 2009 at 6:30 pmI for one loved the maxi dress. This one looks great too.
And I’m with you on capris. I retired my last pair this morning. I had them on and caught a look in the mirror on my way out the door to the free summer movies and went and changed. I don’t need that neon mom sign over my head…I think the 6 kids with me were already a tip off, lol.
June 9th, 2009 at 6:34 pmYou got the body to pull off that dress.. the Maxi dress swallowed you up… go back to Old Navy and get a bunch in different colors of that dress that was in the black…
I hope after this last kid I will have a body like yours, rather than mine
June 9th, 2009 at 6:39 pmHa ha ha! I sometimes remember when, as a teenager, I thought there should be a law about old, fat people wearing shorts and other revealing clothing. Now that I’M old, fat and repulsive, I have to say that when it’s hot enough, I don’t care!
June 9th, 2009 at 6:40 pmWow. If the maxi dress is the equivalent of mom jeans, someone better get the word out on my campus!! I see them more and more on we 18 to 25 year olds.
Alas, I am 5′3″ and anything that goes down to my ankles makes me look awkwardly short. Mid thigh to mid calf for the shorties, I hear. But I agree with your motto “I don’t care” and if I ever find a maxi dress that I like, I’d get it!
June 9th, 2009 at 6:59 pmI gave up shorts awhile back too, and prefer skirts. I also wear capris in the hot summer, but am getting very very tired of them also. But if not shorts, you sorta have to do the capris at times.
The short dress looks adorable on you! Who says it’s too anything? I think it looks great on you! The maxi dress trends is just too….trendy. In my opinion. It looks a little goofy in every-day life. If anyone in my (quite hip, college town) walked around in a maxi dress, I think others would STARE. And possibly giggle.
I laughed out loud at the “wah wah wah” when it was actually midnight. Good Lord woman! What time do you all sleep?!
June 9th, 2009 at 7:02 pmShorts… I certainly don’t look good in them anymore. And no one looks good in capris. They were kinda novel in a “cute 50s flashback to the pedalpusher” way back in 1999, but c’mon ladies, it’s been ten years and let’s let it go. I’d probably get shot if I walked into Talbots and said that, though.
Glad to see you like dresses, of any length. I wish more women dressed like women and eschewed the androgynous cookie cutter t-shirts and khaki shorts blob look (with ponytailed baseball caps to boot).
June 9th, 2009 at 7:04 pmIf I can’t wear shorts or capris , what can I wear in the summer with two small kids that I play on the floor with! Help!
June 9th, 2009 at 7:44 pmblack dress big time keeper. i think you might be too petite for the maxie - padie thing. esp one with a big print. ( you seem tiny? as in ” 7 kids my ass” tiny? )
some have very lofty goals - world piece, cure cancer etc. mine? I would like to wear a dress like that braless. 4 kids, 38 DD? ummmm. no. but we all have are dreams, no?
black dress = hottie pottatie.
June 9th, 2009 at 7:52 pmAgain - gorgeous
June 9th, 2009 at 8:22 pmYou are one lucky hot mama
I vote for this dress. Hands down. Also hard to go wrong with skirts and tank tops. I can’t look at maxi dresses without getting a decidedly Nicole Richie/Ashley Olsen/crap-I’m-out-on-the-street-in-my-nightgown-again vibe (although clearly you’d look great in anything).
June 9th, 2009 at 8:38 pmOkay, now you’re just fishing for compliments. You can post a photo like, suggest it’s not flattering, and be serious….on Feb 31st.
June 9th, 2009 at 8:49 pmOkay, I didn’t really read the maxi dress post until after this one. But anyway, I’m totally depressed now that I’m a suburban housewife who wears shorts, capris and the hair through the baseball cap - and that’s only because it’s naturally curly and I can’t stand it. I would horrify you. Maybe I’ll go dress shopping. I know the hubby would love it.
June 9th, 2009 at 8:52 pmMUCH better. you are too pretty to be covered up in what looked like a quilt. you should stick to dresses this length. sleeves if you want, or a little sweater to be more formal or whatnot. i think a simple dress that you can wear to baseball games or vaccuuming or out to dinner is the very definition of sophistication. get a few more like that and you are done.
June 9th, 2009 at 8:56 pmthis dress is SO much better than the other one. The other one is suppose to be worn by a 60 year old woman who no longer shaves her legs
June 9th, 2009 at 9:12 pmI also HATE shorts and usually wear skirts. My thighs have nothing to hold on too and that makes everyone including the baby Jesus very happy!
I was thinking of you today as I was packing away our winter down-filled coats for the next few months. I was thinking how nice it would be to live somewhere where our lighter weight clothes could stay in the closets all year.
Also, shorts and tee shirts are easier to wash and dry than jeans and sweatshirts.
I also like the black dress!
June 9th, 2009 at 9:24 pmI think you look amazing in that dress! In theory I like maxi dresses because they just look really comfortable but I don’t think they look good on me.
If you like the length of the maxi dress, what about a long wrap skirt with a tank top? I wore wrap skirts a lot last summer and they are so comfortable.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:26 pmI dont think it’s too short, too tight or any lower cut than the maxi dress was.
capris are momish? oh no- I wont wear shorts. and I really dont do skirts well. oh no
good thing I live in an area I can wear jeans 9 mopnths out of the year
June 9th, 2009 at 9:31 pmhott.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:55 pmyou can always call me. I’m an east coaster but I never go to bed before 2 or 3 am. West coasters are awesome to me because I go to bed when they go to bed.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:59 pmI think you look great! And you could call us…I am just in from baseball, making dinner at 9PM. Hopefully, my husband is on his way with son #2 so we can all eat before 10 one night this week.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:59 pmThat’s much better. How about just mini-skirts and top? Not too short. Just stay away from the “skort”–perhaps worse than the “mom jean.”
June 9th, 2009 at 10:51 pmChris - WHAT A GREAT DRESS!!!! I have to tell you, I am not a fan of shorts, but when its 100 degrees, what can you do. THOUGH, I have to tell you, I declared that 2009 is “the summer of the skirt”. I have picked up a few cute ones at target (like this one - I bought in several colors!) and have been wearing them alot
June 9th, 2009 at 11:02 pmhttp://www.target.com/Merona-Pull-Skirt-Fresh-White/dp/B001P0ZB80/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=12X9YQEE90DGQFJBZTG3&pf_rd_p=465357931&pf_rd_i=B001P0ZB80&pf_rd_s=bottom-6&pf_rd_m=A1VC38T7YXB528&pf_rd_t=5101
My husband thinks Maxi dresses are the least sexiest thing on the planet…wish he told me that before I searched 10 stores for one that didn’t drag on the floor!! So, return your maxi and keep rocking the shorter one!!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:48 pmuhmm…you’re right the word “maxi” is just wrong!!
Rowwwwr! Chris, that dress is fantastic on you! Leaves the maxi-dress in the dirt.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:06 amhttp://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=15292&vid=1&pid=633400&scid=633400102
is that the dress? (You’re making me wish I could buy clothes without trying them on; the nearest ON is 45 minutes away from my house.)
Chris says: Yes! That is the dress.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:28 amWe shun sleep in this house, too.
June 10th, 2009 at 12:57 am“It makes the baby Jesus cry.”
I.LOVE.IT. This is too good not to steal! Your lines keep getting better and better:)
June 10th, 2009 at 1:00 amI covet the dress, and your ability to wear said dress.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:06 amI suffer from too much chest; I am happy to share with all the women on this forum and I would still have a bounty. As such, I cannot wear a dress, ever.
But enough about me. You, my dear, look simply lovely. I join the others in saying yes to the dress.
You should find more and buy them in every color.
The dress looks great on you. I’m not partial to maxi dresses, but then, who am I anyway? Have you ever looked at the catalog or online website of Boden? It’s fantastic — lots and lots of good stuff that avoids a mommy look but still seems chic and sexy. And I remember reading somewhere that Diane von Furstenberg said that no woman over 40 should wear shorts. But then, again, you’re only 40, not over 40.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:52 amWhilst I like maxi dresses, they aren’t particularly flattering. But they look great on the right person. Thus a stunningly beautiful but natural 20 year old sun kissed bohemian girl with long flowing blond hair looks stunning! But she’d look great in anything.
I’m with Adriana on capri pants. I never thought about them screaming ’suburban housewife’, but I think you may have a point. However shorts are out for most people post children, apart from the lucky few who have managed to keep their college bodies. I don’t like wearing skirts much personally, but even more importantly I think they are much less flattering to the larger woman than capri pants with a flattering top.
June 10th, 2009 at 3:13 amYou look great. Great! You can definitely pull that dress off, much better than a 13-year-old girl.
June 10th, 2009 at 3:28 amFeel free to text. I work until 2:30 am.
June 10th, 2009 at 4:11 amLove this dress, especially for passing out popsicles. I have to agree I hate wearing shorts and Im so sick of capri’s. I guess I need to invest in skirt also or hey maybe skorts?
June 10th, 2009 at 7:39 ami like both dresses. both are different but both are great. the maxi dress may not show off your curves but it is pretty, it is comfy and it is easy to slip on and not have to match a top or bottom with it. it is summer you should enjoy it.
i am with you about shorts (don’t wear them) but i do wear capris.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:25 amThat dress is 100% better on you! I HATE capris…not flattering on anyone under 6 feet tall.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:26 amkeep & wear them both. they both look great on you.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:40 amLove the dress on you!! After 7 kids? Wear it often! Definitely better than the maxi dress. I think the maxi dress past a certain age looks like a muu muu. They look cute & trendy on younger girls but after 40…too Mrs Roper from Three’s Company. I’m not a fan of short shorts either but man when it gets hot & humid, you’ve got to do something! I wore a skirt to a neighborhood cookout this past weekend - not easy to play volleyball in!! And who wants to miss out on the fun? I actually think the right shorts look better than capris. Maybe it’s the extra leg showing. Not that I don’t wear capris but you’re right - they’re SO suburban housewife!
June 10th, 2009 at 10:05 amLOL…I make the baby Jesus cry. But you would too if you had my frizzy curly hair that is IMPOSSIBLE to control in hot/humid weather.
Baby Jesus tears vs. Frizzy Fro…sorry baby Jesus, you lose.
June 10th, 2009 at 10:19 amI think that dress looks great on you.
June 10th, 2009 at 10:24 amNow THAT looks fab!!! Also? A little depressing. I wish I looked that good. (Adding Jillian’s 30-day Shred to my cart.)
June 10th, 2009 at 11:47 amOh man… I love that dress on you! I bet you make the other moms super jealous. You look hot!
June 10th, 2009 at 12:14 pmDresses are so nice in the summer!
I’m heading up to Old Navy this weekend!!! Hopefully the same ones are available in Canada. I’m thinking though that I might need a little support - wondering what a layered look would look like with a tank under with a built in bra?? At 40, the girls are not where they once were….
June 10th, 2009 at 12:17 pmI like that SOOO much better than the maxi!
June 10th, 2009 at 12:30 pmI too prefer skirts to shorts.
I say whack the bottom tier off the maxi dress and give it a go.
I wear capris and bermuda shorts - I just don’t enjoy skirts and dresses…I think I’ve forgotten how to ’sit like a lady’.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:59 pmOld Navy will no doubt proceed to immediately sell out of this dress now that Aisha posted a link! I love it and I, too, thought at first you’d posted a catalog photo. You look smashing in it.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:08 pmEven headless, you look stunning in that dress.
Sooo, I’m trying to get the general consensus straight: No shorts, no capris, no “mom jeans”, no maxi dresses, no ponytails (especially with a ballcap).
Good thing no one mentioned a decade-old t-shirt, pajama pants, and filthy Converse - I might feel like a fashion victim.
June 10th, 2009 at 6:24 pmI also loathe shorts. This season, I’ve been wearing these fold over jersey skirts from old navy and I love them…one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Here’s the link: http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5489&vid=1&pid=633457&scid=633457052
PS - You look hott in that dress!
June 10th, 2009 at 9:10 pmI prefer this one too. Also getting into bermuda shorts. Jacob and Ann Taylor petites have loads of cute day dresses about this length.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:19 amYou just almost made me spit out my tea I was laughing too hard! You know, the line about a ponytail through a baseball hat making the baby jesus cry…only you could get away with that and make me laugh!
I think this dress is great! While I understand the tooshort/toolow point… (probably have to bend over to pick things up consciously instead of just doing it) it is very flattering!
June 11th, 2009 at 10:00 amI am so grateful to have found this dress online! We can match..even though you’re at the bottom half of the country and I’m at the top half. Who has the better weather? That’d be you. You’ll be wearing your dress long into the fall when I’m sadly reading for my jeans……NOT mom jeans.
June 11th, 2009 at 10:30 amLove the Chris; love the dress. You should look like the hot mama you are.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:12 amOh so depressed to say that I decided to read this post while waiting for my daughter to wake from her nap so we could head out of the house…what am I wearing, you ask? Baseball cap with ponytail pulled through the back and capris that I actually purchased at Costco. My public (and private) shame!
June 11th, 2009 at 1:04 pmFirst Susan, and now you?
SAY NO TO THE SHORTS! Be strong.
(Heat and humidity are no excuse, wah, wah, wah, I lived in Miami and didn’t own any. I know you’re tougher than me, so buck up chica!)
I have to agree though, capris and baseball caps with the ponytail pulled through the back are possibly worse.
PS - you look great in both dresses. I can only wear solid print maxi dresses, because I feel like I’m on my way to phish concert otherwise.
(And yes, it is possible I need to get over my visceral reaction to suburban mom-wear. Maybe it’s because I’m minivan shopping these days.)
June 11th, 2009 at 3:09 pmI bet the other moms hate to see you in that dress. You look hot. Good for you!
June 12th, 2009 at 5:39 pmI hate you.
June 13th, 2009 at 6:46 amtoss the other one
June 14th, 2009 at 11:46 amI thought of you this morning, as I was buying skorts on LE. I know, I know, but we’re going to Disney in July and they are better than shorts and I won’t pull a Britney and flash my girly bits to all the kiddos in my skirts. So that’s my justification.
But for the record, the ponytail through the baseball cap is my I’m-not-wearing-any-makeup-and-trying-to-hide-my-face look. I’m not giving it up because that means I’ll have to put makeup on to run to Target.
June 14th, 2009 at 5:18 pmHoly shit, that’s you? And you’ve had 7 children??? Goddamn.
June 18th, 2009 at 10:44 pmwoman to woman: you look smoking hot.
June 21st, 2009 at 5:04 pm