Wow! Love these logics. As a new first time mama and longtime lover of fashions, I appreciate how you’re presenting an interest in clothes as a natural extension of feminine embodiment and an opportunity for connection rather than isolation. I wonder what this framework offers for women unable to have children. I also wonder how this connective possibility of dressing oneself can remain forefront when so much of the worlds that enable pleasure in dressing are indeed isolating/exploitative (unethical clothing production, noninclusive sizing, etc.) Just additional thoughts… Glad I stumbled onto your writing!
Thank you so much! I hope to explore some of those questions in my coming essays.
In particular— Edith Stein has a beautiful concept of “spiritual motherhood” that she writes of all women being called to and fulfilled by, regardless of their ability or choice to have children.
This idea of clothes being a gateway to communion of I-Thou relationship resonates with me.
I loved being pregnant, I had a positive experience of labor and delivery, and then I struggled deeply postpartum after my first child- none of my clothes fit anymore, and most of them would never fit again.
In having a baby, I had changed size and shape so completely that no amount of weight loss would allow me back into my old clothes, my old self. I didn't have anything to wear and I didn't feel like I could communicate myself. I wore borrowed clothes from other people, since that's what fit, and I didn't feel like myself. I grieved the ended season of my previous body and had to find new ways to dress myself.
It took a long time. I loved my baby and motherhood long before I loved my body again and felt I knew how to dress myself. Eventually I got there and now I do have joy in my fashion choices. And my new motherhood-life-season fashion choices were more robust to my next pregnancy and baby! (Skirts accommodate changing sizes better than skinny jeans, who knew?!)
Wow! Love these logics. As a new first time mama and longtime lover of fashions, I appreciate how you’re presenting an interest in clothes as a natural extension of feminine embodiment and an opportunity for connection rather than isolation. I wonder what this framework offers for women unable to have children. I also wonder how this connective possibility of dressing oneself can remain forefront when so much of the worlds that enable pleasure in dressing are indeed isolating/exploitative (unethical clothing production, noninclusive sizing, etc.) Just additional thoughts… Glad I stumbled onto your writing!
Thank you so much! I hope to explore some of those questions in my coming essays.
In particular— Edith Stein has a beautiful concept of “spiritual motherhood” that she writes of all women being called to and fulfilled by, regardless of their ability or choice to have children.
This idea of clothes being a gateway to communion of I-Thou relationship resonates with me.
I loved being pregnant, I had a positive experience of labor and delivery, and then I struggled deeply postpartum after my first child- none of my clothes fit anymore, and most of them would never fit again.
In having a baby, I had changed size and shape so completely that no amount of weight loss would allow me back into my old clothes, my old self. I didn't have anything to wear and I didn't feel like I could communicate myself. I wore borrowed clothes from other people, since that's what fit, and I didn't feel like myself. I grieved the ended season of my previous body and had to find new ways to dress myself.
It took a long time. I loved my baby and motherhood long before I loved my body again and felt I knew how to dress myself. Eventually I got there and now I do have joy in my fashion choices. And my new motherhood-life-season fashion choices were more robust to my next pregnancy and baby! (Skirts accommodate changing sizes better than skinny jeans, who knew?!)