Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Learning to Love My Figure: The Manhattan Dress

One day, I gave birth to quadruplets. I like to think my abdomen let out a groan as it finally got a break from being stretched past capacity.

And then it deflated.

Even though I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight, I'm most definitely not back to my pre-pregnancy size. I've spent two years thinking maybe, just maybe, I would be able to get back into my old clothes. However, at the beginning of this summer, I finally came to terms with the fact that, barring a tummy tuck, it was time to revamp the wardrobe. I was tired of looking frumpy in over-sized shirts meant to hide my tummy until I could shrink a bit.

Someday, I'd still like a tummy tuck, but until then, I'm learning to embrace my new figure and relearn how to get dressed in the morning. I'll never be a fashion blogger, but as I find things that work for me, I might share them on here. :)

Fresh Produce is a clothing company that I came across a few months ago. I looked through their site, and liked the flow-y style of their clothes, along with the huge assortment of colors available. They very kindly agreed to allow me to test drive an outfit to see how it would work on a post-pregnancy quad mom body.

With help from fellow quad mom, Amber, who is helping me learn how to style my new figure, I picked out the Manhattan Dress. You may recognize it as the dress that I wore on our 5th Anniversary Weekend! In fact, these photos were taken while we were waiting for a table at a restaurant.

I've wanted a "little black dress" since before we had kids, and never got around to finding one. After I had kids, I figured it would be a "big black dress," but once I saw this one online, I fell in love with it! It is dainty, flattering, versatile, and very comfortable!
It's made from 94% rayon and 6% spandex. Normally, those are materials that I avoid as they cling to my middle, but the Manhattan Dress is cleverly designed to work with all body shapes. The V-neck tucks into a high shirred waist band that fits nicely above any tummy trouble spots. It's gathered right below that to further hide any issues. The skirt is a stylish faux wrap skirt so that there are no embarrassing moments (or moments when kids decide to see if it works like a tent flap). The back is also in a V, so it can easily be dressed up for dinner out, or be casual enough to run errands on a hot summer day.

Did I mention that I didn't even have to iron it when I pulled the folded up dress out of the delivery bag? That's my kind of outfit!

For our evening out, I decided to wear the red heels that my mother-in-law bought for me, and the necklace that I wore on our wedding day. The dress didn't need anything more than that to look perfect for dinner in a nice restaurant. Oh, and I guess I should mention that after dinner, the red heels were traded for black flip flops so that we could make a snack run to the store!

I'm extremely happy with this dress and now consider it a staple in my closet. Effortless and flattering is the best way to describe it. And when a quad mom says that, she means it!

Many thanks to Fresh Produce Clothes for kindly sending me the dress to review. I received no further compensation and all opinions are 100% my own. For more info, please see my disclaimer page.

32 comments:

  1. You look beautiful and confident in this dress! I'm so happy my tips helped you choose the right dress. Now I hope you have fun playing around with accessories to change it up. After all, that's the reason the LBD is beloved. Now I can't wait to give Fresh Produce a spin.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks for fielding my countless questions! I'm excited to mix and match accessories and really play around with the look of this dress!

      You are going to love Fresh Produce! Can't wait to see what you pick out!

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  2. It's a great dress and looks very nice on you! I will check out the company.

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  3. Such a beautiful dress and you wear it well! I'll have to check out this company!

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    1. Thanks! And you should check them out! Most of their outfits easily go from day to night. Love it!

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  4. First off, YOU LOOK AMAZING! (kids or no kids you don't have a bad figure!) One thing that it took me a while to come to terms with is that once you have kids your body is simply made different than it was before.
    Second, this is a great dress and looks great on you!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yep, sounds like we have both come to the same conclusion about our mommy bodies. :)

      And thanks for the compliment!

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  5. Cute dress! I didn't have quads, but my pregnancies still left me with a poochy belly. Definitely going to check them out.

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    1. My mom once told me (before I had kids), that after you have a baby, your tummy never goes all the way back. I know other moms have issues with this too, so I was glad to find this company! I'm sure you'll find something you like!

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  6. I love the dress! AND the shoes! You look awesome!

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    1. I love the shoes too! I was delighted to get to wear them with my new favorite dress!

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  7. Love the real-life review of a cute dress! Maybe you can be a fashion blogger after all?!

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    1. Haha! Thanks for that very kind compliment! Maybe there is hope for me yet! ;)

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  8. So ready to go buy this dress... more clothing reviews PLEASE!!!!!!

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    1. I think you'd really like it, Natalie! Especially since the skirt isn't a real wrap skirt. This is much safer to wear around five little boys. :)

      I'll definitely consider writing more of these now that I see the response! There is a whole demographic of women who need post-baby clothes that are flattering!

      Delete
  9. Um, LOVE. Totally getting this dress ... as soon as I have some money, ha!

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    1. Definitely bookmark the site!!

      Or Pin this post. I won't argue with either! ;)

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  10. Oh, wait ... no petite sizes?? :(

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    1. How tall are you? I'm 5' 3.5" and the length is perfect on me. If you are much shorter, maybe a quick hem would help?

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  11. You really complement the dress and vice versa. In that dress no one can tell that you had quads. You look gorgeous. I really love the look!

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    1. Aw, thanks so much! Sometimes it's nice to dress up and get away from the kids for an evening out. If I can look young and fashionable, even better!

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  12. You are stunning, and look absolutely gorgeous! Those shoes are pretty amazing too! Lovely post! You rock, lady!

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  13. Wow, that is a beautiful "little black dress" and it looks like it was made for you! It fits perfect and you really look fantastic. And I'm in total agreement about those awesome shoes! I would have tripped in those, I'm sure :)

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    1. You wouldn't believe how long it took me to learn how to walk in heels! Now, I enjoy wearing them for special occasions. With my new "little black dress," I think it's a killer combo!

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  14. You look great--and back to pre-maternity weight! That's great! I don't think that will ever happen to me!

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    1. My weight fluctuates, most definitely. The nice thing about this dress, is that it shouldn't matter too much!

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  15. Oh my goodness I LOVE that dress! The perfect lbd. You look fabulous.

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  16. You look beautiful! I haven't had quads, but have 2 little girls. Things just aren't the same after baby! I will check out this company bc I love that dress. Simple, yet beautiful! Have you checked out fit mama training on fb? She's a cheerleader for women to love their bodies. I haven't met her, but I enjoy reading her updates.

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    1. No, I haven't heard of Fit Mama Training. I will have to look her up. She sounds like my kind of woman! :) Thanks for the tip!

      Delete

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