“Six weeks” ahahahahah… yeah, nah. It’s been twelve weeks since I wrote that post, and Melbourne has at least another two weeks of stage four lockdown left to go (more, if certain inconsiderate people end up getting the ‘rona after their beach revelries and shopping centre “protests”). Stage four has meant: Everything is closed except chemists, supermarkets, petrol stations, and cafes that do takeaway. Allowed out of your house for no more than an hour a day. Not allowed further than 5km of your house. Not allowed out at all between 8pm and 5am. Masks for everyone.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that I haven’t posted for three months because I’ve been living in my pyjamas, but I’ve actually been trying desperately to inject some level of normal routine into my life, so I get up. I eat breakfast. I shower, and I get dressed for work.
I’m having kind of a tough self-image time lately though. I haven’t been able get my hair cut since March, my eyebrows are a mess, my eyelashes are non-existent. I’m glad I decided to embrace my silvers when they came in, because the regrowth would be A Thing To Behold by this point. I still haven’t quite managed to come to terms with the changes in my body since pregnancy; and post-winter, post-iso, post-c-section, none of my clothes are fitting properly. Long story short, I’m just not feeling as comfortable in my skin as I know I can be.
It’s the worst thing when you’re having a bad-self-image day, and suddenly nothing in your wardrobe is your friend. I don’t know about you, but if the first outfit I try in the morning doesn’t work for me (as is increasingly the issue at the moment) I end up cycling through half my wardrobe trying to find something that doesn’t make me feel like crap. I was sick of it.
I saw the One Dress from Every By X advertised on my Instagram feed a month or so ago, and it seemed to by the answer to my problems. Light, comfortable, endlessly adaptable, easy care, non-creasing, breastfeeding-friendly, and versatile enough to wear to a fancy dinner or the beach. I wanted something I could pull out of my wardrobe that would look good no matter what kind of body-day I was having (and that I could wear several times in a row without anyone wondering if maybe I hadn’t gone home the night before).
At $360, the One Dress was an Investment with a capital “I”, but I reasoned that you can wear it (at least) seven different ways, so it’s actually $51 a dress, which is extremely reasonable. Also it was advertised as one-size-fits 6 to 22 (I’m a size 18-20 with G cups, and there’s room to spare, so I reckon the size range could be extended) so I figured I’d be able to keep wearing it for years, no matter what further surprises my body had in store for me.
Anyway. I bought it, and I’m so glad I took the gamble.
Shoes: Seychelles
Bangle: Dinosaur Designs
The One Dress by Ever By X is the creation of Kerryl Bullen, a mother of twins (oh my god, I can’t imagine) who basically wanted to make a dress that was going to work for women no matter what stage of life they were in. She runs a local and sustainable business that sources upcycled fabrics, makes the dresses locally, and boasts a zero carbon footprint.
The dress itself is a clever and classic style that actually delivers on the promises it makes. It has clever pleating at the shoulders that allows it to drape beautifully over a variety of shapes (yes, even the Rack of Doom). Tiny little buttons are hidden on the inside of the neckline down to the waist, so as not to distract from the clean lines of the dress. The elbow-length sleeves are cuffed, the skirt tapers to curved hems at a midi length (I’m 165cms tall), and did I mention pockets?
Shoes: Rockport
Belt: Trenery
The really clever thing though, are the two sets of tiny gaps concealed in the seams of the dress that allow you to tie the sash (or your own belt) in a myriad of different ways to achieve different looks.
Leggings: Taking Shape
Shoes: Bared
The dress comes with a little booklet that walks you through some styles (Cape, crossover, sheath, caftan, cinch, etc), but I’d definitely say have an experiment of your own too.
Belt: Modcloth
Shoes: Chie Mihara
Anyway. This is my new favourite dress, and I’m glad I can just chuck it in the wash and it dried quickly without needing ironing, because I’ve been wearing it a lot! I can’t wait to wear it OUT too! (Come on Melbourne, we can do this.)
I love this so much, couldn’t help it I have just bought it in Blackberry. (I have six black dresses so I thought I’d be brave!)
It looks great on you. (So fingers crossed)
best wishes
Lynette
Hooray! That blackberry colour is absolutely divine. I hope you love it when it arrives!
did it take long for yours to arrive, I am wondering if I should enquire where it is?
L
I placed my order 17/9, and it arrived 29/9 (in Melbourne, so we’re having some pretty dramatic delays in the postal system)
It looks amazing!
You look amazing!
I miss you so much and totally understand the not comfortable in my skin post-baby and ISO experience.
So many hugs, so very soon xx
Love you, miss you <3 <3
you look great, what a cool dress. do you think it would be too long on someone (me) 153cm tall?
It would definitely be heading into maxi territory (I’m 165cms tall, and it’s midi-length on me), but it depends on whether you like that look or not? The hem curves up at the side seams, but the hem itself is reasonably long
i went from november last year until august this year without a haircut or an eyebrow intervention..i found it liberating to not be shackled to appointments or doling out money and being comfortable in what is..in fact my eyebrows are looking far better and i am getting them back to their natural shape..but in having said that i totally enjoyed my trip to sydney at the 10 month mark of no treatments to have a haircut..facial..pedicure and eyelash/eyebrow tint…you really appreciate your treatments in a new way compared to pre-covid when you got them when you wanted…i will still get treatments but i will think more about what i want and how many times i will get them…
Sounds like an absolute treat! Hopefully everything will open here in November, and we’ll be able to get a few bits and pieces done
I’ve been obsessively looking at this dress and just can’t decide whether to make the Investment. I’m not sure about the bulk of it – I’m not tiny but there seems to be a lot of material- what are your thoughts? I too have the post baby rack of doom, so anything that works with that is amazing.
There’s definitely a lot of fabric, but it’s so gossamer thin that I’ve found it doesn’t really add any bulk, just drape
Hello! This is the only review I can find on this dress! And it looks dang cute on you. But it is a hefty price tag. Before I buy it, I’m wondering if you still love it- and wear it?
I do! I’m just about to post about it for a second time with a few of the styles I’ve been wearing, so watch out for that!
I just saw Ali’s post of this dress, and remembered you talking about it too! I love it, and even though it is more than I’ve ever spent on a dress, I’m seriously considering it because it is SO versatile. Two questions: 1) do you still love it almost a year later, have you found it is as versatile as hoped? 2) do you like the black one, or do you wish you had gotten a color? For this price, I’m leaning towards black, but will I wish I had bought a dark color instead, like navy or charcoal? Thanks for your insights!!
I definitely do still love it – I have it in a couple of colours now, but the black definitely gets the most air time (the red has a slight sheen to it, which is lovely but definitely dressier). The navy looks particularly divine though. I think the black is the most versatile, so you’re probably getting more bang for your buck that way. I’m actually just about to post about the dress again with some more styles I’ve trialed – so watch our for that!
Thank you for this post! It’s nice to see it modeled by someone who also has a Rack of Doom 😀
Now that you’ve had it for awhile, and washed it many times, how has the fabric and dress held up? I’m very interested in the dress, but since it will be an investment piece am wondering about longevity? Ty!