This dress allows busy moms to breast pump without having to strip down
After being tired of having to get naked while pumping at work as the VP for an NFL team, Moni Gerbini Hershenhorn, took matters in her own hands to create a solution.
The founder and CEO launched a company called the Boosé Brand which created the first dress specifically designed for breast pumping at work. The patent-pending Jules Dress is a classic sleeveless black dress that features unique technology that opens your dress from shoulder to bra line on each side.
It also has a dual-zip front panel that only exposes your chest rather than your breast while you pump.
"Finding myself naked in the makeshift mother's room prompted action," Hershenhorn told "Good Morning America."
"The inspiring moment to create the Jules Dress was my very first pumping session in the office. One moment I was feeling solid with how day one was going. The next moment, I was pumping naked in the mother's room and could hear the company president on the other side of the door helping himself to the buffet spread. In that moment, I felt exposed."
After spending nights and weekends in between 60-hour work weeks to brainstorm how to how to design and develop a dress; along with three designers, three manufacturers, eight prototypes and countless fabric samples over 16 months, Hershenhorn was able to finalize the Jules dress in 2019.
The fabric is a drape-y polyester with some stretch and its unlined but thick enough to conceal any shapewear worn underneath.
The dress hits right above the knee, making it long enough to be office professional and short enough for a fun evening outing.
"The shift dress is flattering on all body types, pairs perfectly with a blazer and pumps or flats with a jean jacket for any day of the week," said Hershenhorn. "Plus, in the era of video conference calls, throwing the dress over pajama bottoms and slippers works just as well."
The Jules dress retails for $90, and Boosé Brand points out that a key difference from other nursing apparel already on the market is its compatibility with discreet breast pumping. Many other nursing tops and dresses are designed with a slit that partially exposes breasts.
Most breast pumping bras and accessories are hands-free but have to be taken on and off. With the Jules dress, you can remain hands-free, breast-pump seamlessly and keep fully clothed.
"Opening the zippers on either side of the breasts allows the portion of fabric covering the chest to fold down, creating a strap around the shoulder and armhole to hold the remainder of the garment in place," Hershenhorn said.
"The goal of Boosé is to give women confidence, enabling them to succeed in both their breastfeeding and career journeys," said Hershenhorn. "Take it from someone who has, on multiple occasions, either sent for forgotten pump parts via Uber or rigged plastic bags to the pump to serve as collection cups -- in those moments it’s a lot nicer to be clothed."
It's World Breast Feeding Week which means its a time to "support breastfeeding for a healthier planet," according to the World Health Organization. ”In line with this theme, WHO and UNICEF are calling on governments to protect and promote women’s access to skilled breastfeeding counseling, a critical component of breastfeeding support." It's also a great time to support brands that embrace and celebrate breastfeeding.
