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You are here: Home / STYLE / Holiday dresses with Simply Be – who knew?!

Holiday dresses with Simply Be – who knew?!

July 11, 2017 by Molly 21 Comments

When it comes to clothes shopping, there are a few staple brands I go to again and again, without really thinking about it. Occasionally I might come across a new brand on Instagram but, mainly, I’m predictable in the extreme, opting for the regular high street haunts most of us probably go to. Simply Be is not a shop I’ve ever been in before and, to be honest, it’s not a brand that had ever really crossed my radar before. Until now, that is.

With our summer trip coming up, I’ve been on the hunt for some new holiday dresses to wear in France. My main requirement? Comfort. I want something that’s easy to throw on after a trip to the pool, but looks nice wafting around a French market or doing some sightseeing too. Nothing too hot or fussy, but nothing too tight or short either. No big ask then. 

That’s where the holiday shop at Simply Be comes in. After a quick browse of the website I came away with a whole load of potential holiday dresses that ticked all my requirement options. With most of the pieces starting in a size 12, I had a huge array of choices, which surprised me seeing as I’d never even glanced at this brand before.

I chose a bright blue Maxi dress with button detail in a comfortable jersey fabric – again, not a style I’d typically go for but I LOVE it. (Here I am, doing my best Fashion Blogger impression)…

The panelling and button detail makes this a really flattering dress, while the light jersey fabric means it’s soft and really comfortable. I could easily throw this on after a trip to the beach, wear it out and about sightseeing during the day or out for some drinks in the evening. The bright pop of colour makes it holiday-ready, while the fun pom-pom bag (nicknamed my “Morris Dancer Bag” by my fashion-phobic husband) contrasts nicely with the tassel sandals. Again – Simply Be do shoes and accessories too, who knew?!

As well as the blue maxi, I picked out a double layer crinkle black midi number. It goes equally well with the oversized bag and tassel sandals, and is just as versatile as the blue dress. The layered top gives it a flattering shape for my non-washboard stomach while the tie straps are a cute little detail I love.

 

Midi length dresses and skirts are my length of choice this summer and this one has a pretty extra panel detail at the bottom to give it a floaty edge. It’s REALLY flattering, easy to wear and – most importantly for holiday – cool and comfortable.

Branching out of my comfort zone has helped me find two new holiday outfit staples, a bag of dreams and sandals I love, and it’s inspired me to be more open-minded about my shopping options in the future too.

Are there any brands you’ve recently discovered which you’ve never really looked at before?

 

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Thanks to Simply Be for working with me on this post. For more details on how I work with brands check out my Work With Me page.

Filed Under: Fashion, STYLE Tagged With: dressing the mum tum, fashion, mum style, outfits, style, summer style

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Comments

  1. Gill Crawshaw says

    July 20, 2017 at 11:43 am

    You look so lovely, such nice dresses! Agree with everyone that it’s a brand I’d never have thought of looking at – those accessories though!

    Reply
  2. Gill Crawshaw says

    July 20, 2017 at 11:43 am

    You look so lovely, such nice dresses! Agree with everyone that it’s a brand I’d never have thought of looking at – those accessories though!

    Reply
  3. Rachel says

    July 18, 2017 at 12:00 pm

    I love finding a new brand which works for me! Looking good, Molly 🙂

    Reply
  4. Lottie | Oyster & Pearl says

    July 18, 2017 at 11:49 am

    I DID NOT KNOW!!! I’m on the lookout for a maxi dress so will definitely check them out. Thanks Molly!

    Reply
  5. Laura says

    July 17, 2017 at 10:43 pm

    I really love that colourful pom pom bag – perfect for summer and festivals, also that blue dress is ace!! I also have never shopped at Simply B, it’s just not a brand I have thought to look at but I am really impressed with your outfits

    Laura x

    Reply
  6. Lori says

    July 13, 2017 at 9:20 pm

    I love the blue dress and bag!! oh and don’t get me started with the tassle sandals! deffo will have to check them out x

    Reply
  7. Stephanie ReadsWell says

    July 13, 2017 at 7:00 am

    Wow…you are looking so beautiful. This post has got a perfect combination. Stunning outfits, great selection of accessories, and a perfect place.

    Reply
  8. Mel Wiggins says

    July 12, 2017 at 9:22 am

    You are rocking these dresses and accessories like a proper mexican senorita! Love it! Especially that black one! x

    Reply
  9. Amanda says

    July 12, 2017 at 8:25 am

    WOW, I’m loving all of these! You are totally rocking those fashion blogging poses 😉 I need that bag in my life!

    Reply
  10. Alice says

    July 11, 2017 at 3:53 pm

    I LOVE the blue maxi! And the bag with pompoms is amazing… what do husbands know about pops of colour, eh?! x

    Reply
    • Molly says

      July 11, 2017 at 7:19 pm

      Completely – he is a pom-pom philistine!

      Reply
  11. Slummy single mummy says

    July 11, 2017 at 11:51 am

    You look ace! Simply Be would definitely be a brand I’d not normally think of, but I’m definitely going to check them out now!

    Reply
    • Molly says

      July 11, 2017 at 7:21 pm

      Definitely worth checking out – lots of hidden gems on there!

      Reply
  12. Jen Walshaw says

    July 11, 2017 at 11:44 am

    I adore the bag and the shoes – totally on trend. I love a maxi dress and live in them in the summer

    Reply
    • Molly says

      July 11, 2017 at 7:21 pm

      They’re so comfy aren’t they?!

      Reply
  13. Talya says

    July 11, 2017 at 11:14 am

    Oooooh looking gorgeous! Two fab and versatile holiday dresses – love the shade of the blue one and that bag is gorge!

    Reply
    • Molly says

      July 11, 2017 at 7:21 pm

      Ah thanks Talya! x

      Reply
  14. Amy | All Things Amy says

    July 11, 2017 at 9:34 am

    You look lovely, the black dress really suits you! I absolutely love that bag!

    Reply
    • Molly says

      July 11, 2017 at 7:22 pm

      I do too! What does my husband know, right?!

      Reply
  15. Morgana says

    July 11, 2017 at 9:14 am

    Love these outfits Molly. And that bag. And those shoes! I love finding new brands and shops I’ve not tried before. xx

    Reply
    • Molly says

      July 11, 2017 at 9:21 am

      I’m the same – I was so excited when I started finding all the pretty things on there and realising there was a whole new shopping world of possibility open to me!

      Reply

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Hello and welcome! I'm Molly Forbes - podcaster, presenter and blogger with a passion for positivity, confidence and body image chat. Regularly writing and vlogging about empowering female issues from a motherhood angle, I also cover lifestyle and fashion topics for like-minded mums who want to rediscover themselves after having children. Thanks for stopping by! Read More…

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If you feel bad about your body you’re less like If you feel bad about your body you’re less likely to do nice things for it, including moving in a way that feels good and eating in a way that feels good. (FYI health is about more than just exercise and nutrition, but let’s get deeper into the exercise thing for a second...)
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Research shows kids who have low body image are less likely to get involved with sports and more likely to skip PE. 
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Want kids to move more? Stop teaching them that one type of body is better than another - because if their body doesn’t look like your version of a healthy / beautiful / successful body not only will they be more likely to feel shame over their body, they’ll be less likely to engage with the very behaviours you want them to do more of (or be more likely to engage with them in an UNhealthy way - compulsive exercise is dangerous).
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Instead:
💕Try talking about the intrinsic benefits of exercise over the extrinsic ones (ie. how it makes you FEEL instead of how it makes you LOOK).
✨Create opportunities for movement where ALL children feel welcome. 
💕Show children diverse representation so they can see sporting heroes with a range of body types and know that movement is for EVERYbody. 
✨Take a zero tolerance approach to appearance based bullying, body shaming and comments that perpetuate weight stigma (including even the hint that fat = bad). 
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(If you’re a teacher or youth leader interested in knowing more about this topic, a #BodyHappyKids workshop will help - follow the link in my bio 🥰❤️)
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[Image description: A multicoloured slide with an overlaid screenshot of tweet by Molly which reads ‘If your intention is to “get kids healthy” then you need to be aware of how weight bias, weight stigma and poor body image are active barriers to health. The end.]
Sharing this outfit pic with you because it’s a Sharing this outfit pic with you because it’s a crying shame only the piles of laundry got to see it, quite frankly. Finally, a pair of pre-loved jeans bought online that are true to size, consistent with the rest of the brand’s sizing and actually fit! 🎉 
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PS heads up - I’ll be doing a Q&A about body image and kids in my Stories on Friday. The Q sticker is up in my Stories now if you’d like to submit a Q! 💕 #BodyHappyKids
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[Image description: Molly is standing in front of the mirror looking very pleased with the fact her new jeans bought from Depop fit her. She is wearing pink patterned jeans with cherubs on them, a pink check jumper and pink trainers. There are piles of laundry on the bed behind her.]
Another photo of us on a walk, because it’s been Another photo of us on a walk, because it’s been our main form of entertainment this year. Anyone else? 
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I honestly now get excited about putting my boots on and being outdoors, even in the rain. I’m going to start hugging trees next and going on wild camping weekends that involve doing a poo behind a tree and making my own fire. Joke.... maybe. 
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Just another reminder that all movement is valid, exercise doesn’t need to have to be about burning calories or even tracking steps in order for it to be “worth it”. Hope everyone’s had a great weekend ❤️
#BodyHappyMum #JoyfulMovement
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Image description: Molly and her two daughters stand on a bridge in the countryside. They are all wearing hiking boots and outdoor clothes and smiling.
My body is good and excellent and my body only bel My body is good and excellent and my body only belongs to me ✨ (Words by Effie May, age 6 💕) #BodyHappyMum
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Image description: A close up of Molly’s bare skin as she hugs herself. It’s dark and part of her body is illuminated by light. She has her eyes closed and is smiling.
“Mummy I wrote a letter to myself,” she said. “Mummy I wrote a letter to myself,” she said. And my heart swelled. Maybe I’m doing an OK job after all 🤞❤️💕 #BodyHappyKids 
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I could leave this caption here but I need to make something clear: if you think it’s great that my daughter - a thin, white, nondisabled, cisgender kid - feels good in her body but you’re not here for the self-love of any kid who doesn’t look like her.... then you’ve missed the point.
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ALL bodies are good bodies, and without this important piece of the puzzle ALL children will be at risk of doubting their body. And what happens when they doubt their body? Well... hating our body doesn’t make us treat it with love, and the same is true of kids. 
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Great, now we’ve cleared that up, can we take a moment to appreciate the incredible phonetic spelling on show here?! 
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Image description: Effie, age 6, stands against a white wardrobe holding up a letter she has written to herself. It is spelled phonetically and reads “My body is good and excellent and my body only belongs to me.”
I used to struggle to buy stuff for myself if I ha I used to struggle to buy stuff for myself if I had any spare cash - not just treats, but basics like pants and tights that fit properly. I’d tell myself I didn’t need it, didn’t deserve it, couldn’t justify the expense. There’s still that little voice (the habit of putting everyone else’s needs first and my own last dies hard it seems) but I’m leaning into exploring why it still sometimes rears its head, instead of always listening to it. 
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I’m trying to buy as much as I can from pre-loved places or small businesses these days, which is why I’m very happy to share with you some of my latest finds: a star dress from Depop (£5), earrings from @kelzojewellery by @ourtransitionallife (£12) and the comfiest tights I’ve ever owned in Raspberry Pie by @snagtights (£6.99) 💕💕💕
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Have you found any great small brands lately? Shout them out in the comments so we can all support in the run up to Christmas. ⬇️⚡️
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Image description: Molly is smiling and sticking out her tongue to the camera. Her hair is freshly dyed a light shade of pink. She’s wearing a pink t’shirt underneath a black and white star patterned slip dress, with bright pink tights and black and pink earrings decorated with a boob design.
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