The Shapeless Shift

So, the holiday season is here yet again. I have so far survived an epic Thanksgiving weekend full of eating, sleeping, eating, and playing Settlers of Catan. By far, my favorite part about the holiday season is being able to slow down and spend time with the family. Sure it’s fun to be busy and make plans for dinner parties, gifts, and travels, but I particularly love abandoning my to do lists and sinking into my plans and flowing with the festivities.

But, I have been noticing (with all this eating and resting) that my pants and shirts aren’t fitting so nicely. Things are bunching and tugging and pulling. Also, when I go to Goodwill, things that look like they ought to fit me…don’t. So, the last time I went to Goodwill I tried on something like 4 dresses and a few fitted shirts, and one dress fit me. Yep, it was the shapeless, flowing one.

Ordinarily this isn’t the style I gravitate towards. I like something to compliment my waist, chest, and bum. I tend away from things too baggy…because why look more pregnant than you have to, right? But, this flowing dress had very beautiful colors and a nice delicate material that I thought would pair well with a dark pair of tights.

When I got home, I experimented and paired it with some thick grey tights and a simple pair of grey wedge heels (ever so slight in the heel).



I still felt a little too exposed, and my friend did warn me that this is more of a spring/summer look, but I decided to experiment with adding a long sleeved undershirt.



Definitely more comfortable. And, I had this coat I got the summer before last which really pulled together a nice monochromatic look to accentuate the subtle colors of the flowers.



However, I’m still more comfortable pairing something this short and dainty with jeans. I think with the black velvet blazer and open toed shoes, the look is really pulled together. Also, the colors of the top are perfect for wintery days, so it’s nice to accessorize it to go with almost any season.



The best part about the shapeless shift? No one has to see a bloated, over-nourished holiday belly! Also, if you have to unbutton those pants after dinner, who’s the wiser? I really like the idea of a nice flowy shapeless dress for the holidays. The holidays themselves create all sorts of shapeless days, whether it’s shopping, lounging away lazy afternoons, baking and snacking, or curling up with a good book, it’s nice to embrace some easy days to just go with the flow.