I never thought I’d say these words again, but I wore a body-con, and I liked it, and I think you might too. We all like to categorise ourselves, particularly when it comes to fashion, and while there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be part of a style group, it can also result in us pigeonholing ourselves. For me, this is how I ended up disavowing body-con dresses after a long and tumultuous love affair with them as a teen. But 10 years later, I’ve finally changed my tune.
As I hit my early mid-20s and entered the world of work, swearing off those skintight styles felt like graduating into adulthood. Looser, smock-like frocks were my way of showing the world I was now dressing for myself rather than striving to fit in with everyone else around me. Yet it wasn’t until this summer that I realised I had been identifying as someone who doesn’t wear body-con dresses for over a decade, as if it were a badge of honour, whereas all I was doing was closing myself off from a plethora of dresses that could happily complement my personal style.
My change of heart was also helped along by this season’s slew of slim-fit dresses that look nothing like the flimsy iterations I wore as a teen. It was a particular dress from Staud that sealed the deal: a two-tone midi that came in a flattering ribbed fabric and featured a V neckline. This knit-like fabric is one identifying factor of the body-con 2.0, and everyone from COS to Totême has been offering up their own versions for summer 2021. However, other styles come in everything from crochet and linen to cotton and plissé fabrics, and they all look equally as stylish.
I’ve been wearing my Staud dress during the heatwave with gold hoops and Birkenstocks, and the weighty, body-skimming fabric is comfortable, easy to wear and looks unexpectedly polished. And while I think I will always feel a little more me in a loose-fitting dress, I’m so glad that I’ve finally broadened my wardrobe horizons. Who knows? Maybe you’ll become a convert too. Scroll down to shop my dress and see similar body-con styles.
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