40′s Tea Dress: ASOS does Miu Miu-Lite

The ASOS interpretation:

You may be thinking, “why would this interest me, I’m not preggers!”  Well, it’s quite some time ago now that I discovered that maternity ranges are actually a really good resource – especially if you like to eat lunch once in a while!  I have a blue and white stripey dress from Topshop Maternity that is one of my absolute favourite wardrobe staples, and in a size 8 you really can’t tell that it is slightly more generously cut around the middle.

That said, I’ve never bought a maternity item from ASOS, but from this image it doesn’t look very belly-y.  In fact, I’d wager that this model isn’t even pregnant, which is a shame, as I’m sure there are plenty of pregnant models who would appreciate the work.  It does seem like lunacy that these fashion retailers have noticed the financial benefit in offering a maternity range, but are too scared to – Shock! Horror! – actually show a pregnant woman.

If you too think that women are beautiful enough to model clothes aspirationally at various stages in life; young, older, pregnant, and in a range of body shapes, sizes and ethnicities, you ought to check out the campaign I work for, All Walks Beyond the Catwalk, who campaign for the recognition and celebration of diverse beauty in fashion imagery.

Back to the dress! I say ‘Miu Miu-lite’ as obviously ASOS have taken the colour palette and pattern from the catwalk, but have eliminated the rather more sartorially challenging shape, which is really what gives the piece its fashion edge. It’s dipping a toe, not jumping in head first.