Is Fashion Functional First?
My daughter was born just last week, and I’ve been completely captivated by everything about her—her sweet little face, her Cupid’s bow lips, her soft curls, her tiny feet, and even her wardrobe. As a mother to a son for the past 22 years, wardrobe wasn’t exactly on my radar when he was born. Back then, I dressed him in whatever I could afford as a very young mom, and, honestly, it wasn’t much. As he grew, his style evolved to mirror his father’s, and I supported that wholeheartedly. Now, as a young adult, my son has an impeccable sense of personal style. I can walk into any store and immediately tell whether or not he’d wear a certain piece. Watching his style unfold has been such a fascinating process.
With my daughter, I imagine I’ll play a more intentional role in shaping her sense of personal style. For starters, I’ll be deciding her hairstyles, and with more resources at my disposal now, I can experiment with a wider variety of clothing choices. One decision I’ve made is that she’s going to be a purple girl rather than a pink girl. So many moms default to pink for their daughters from day one—I even chose a pink going-home outfit for her. But as we’ve settled into life at home, I’ve been wrapping her in purple whenever I can. Whether it’s her swaddling blankets or, soon, her cloth diapers, I’m finding ways to incorporate purple into her essentials.
It struck me today that the function of her wardrobe is already shaping her personal style. Newborns need to be swaddled, and I’m choosing purple blankets. She’ll soon transition to cloth diapers, and they’re purple too. This isn’t to say she won’t ever wear pink, but it does mean I’m intentionally prioritizing purple in her foundational pieces.
This realization has made me think about how fashion works best when it starts with function. Instead of chasing trends, it’s about asking: what do I need? Take denim, for example. Right now, the trend is “anything but skinny jeans.” Wide-leg, straight-leg, and cargo denim are everywhere in 2024. But when I look at my life—new motherhood, Chicago winters, and embracing my postpartum body—what kind of denim is actually functional for me?
For me, thick, comfortable, high-waisted denim in dark and medium washes will be the most practical. While my theatrical romantic Kibbe body type loves the look of skinny jeans, most of them are made with thinner, jegging-like material. That’s not exactly functional when it’s cold outside, and I’m prioritizing comfort postpartum.
My skinny-jean dilemma led me down a rabbit hole of denim research, and I’ve landed on three styles that will fit my needs while still aligning with my personal style:
Wide-leg denim: These jeans work for my theatrical romantic lines because they’re voluminous at the bottom and cinched at the waist, highlighting my double-curve figure. I already own a distressed pair, but I’m on the hunt for a similar style without the distressing.
Slim-fit denim: Slim-fit jeans are the closest thing to skinny jeans but without hugging the ankles. This little difference opens up new styling possibilities while maintaining a flattering silhouette.
Mom jeans: Known for their comfort and versatility, mom jeans are perfect for balancing my mom duties with my professional responsibilities.
These three (or four, if I include skinny jeans) styles serve a clear function in my wardrobe. They’re comfortable enough for my everyday life as a mom yet stylish enough for work or social outings. And because they’re functional, they also provide a solid foundation for accessorizing, allowing me to fully express my personal style.
By focusing on functionality first, I’ve made shopping for new pieces so much easier. I’m no longer swayed by what’s trendy (like the barrel jean) to determine my style. Instead, I focus on what I need for my life and make it stylish through intentional choices in fabric, color, and silhouette.
Interestingly, this approach to fashion informs my daughter’s wardrobe as well. Through dressing her, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of my own personal style, and I couldn’t love that connection more.
What about you? Do you choose fashion based on function? Or are you tempted by trends?
