Shopping after a baby is depressing!

[soppypreggyloon]

dd is a month old. I went shopping today To get some tops for bf in and something to wear to friends wedding reception on Saturday. Everything from pre of doesn't work on my wider hips and bigger boobs.

Arrrgh!!!!!!

How do I work out what's good on me now?
Any top tips for surviving this?

I don't have a lot of extra weight - just bf boobs and mummy tummy.

[snowmummy]

I find it really hard to shop for a new shape. Its either a case of trying loads of stuff on (which I've rarely got time for) or trying a personal shopper. They can assess your body shape and, hopefully, pick out things that will suit you. Try J Lewis or Debenhams

[soppypreggyloon]

Personal shopper would be good but I was shopping on a budget today. Im the type of person who if shown something gorgeous but £££ I'll buy it. Not good for my bank balance. :)

[snowmummy]

Ah I see your problem! Could you not just go along to let them give you an idea of what you should be looking at? Leave your purse at home maybe. Then go to other shops to find cheaper alternatives. I couldn't but maybe you could .

[soppypreggyloon]

Don't think I have the front to do that and I am so easily swayed by people finding lovely things and complimenting me which is pretty much what my last experience of personal shoppers was.
It would be a good idea if I could be strong enough to not spend!

[shortround]

I ditto the personal shopper, its something my mum arranged for me after mine were born!

[Franup]

A month after don't go mad, you will be surprised what another couple of months does and I have found bfing helps on this front.

But do be realistic, if you need a bigger size get one - a good fitting pair of jeans or whatever your basic is in the correct size will make you feel and look better.

Scoop neck tops are most flattering for bigger boobs (mine were 40dd when the milk came in) and let you delve around easily to unclip bras. Boat neck and high necks are the least flattering. No need for special nursing tops. Tailoring and more structured clothes are also good, e.g a blazer is better than a cardigan.

For hiding post baby belly. Clingy is bad, drapey is good. Tops that are elasticated round the waist so you can pouch the fabric a bit at the front are great. And again get the size you need. I think Warehouse is a good generous cut on the highstreet.

[soppypreggyloon]

thanks fran. :)

i bought a pair of cheap new look skinnies, with a higher waist than i'd normally pick to hold on the muffin a bit, and a couple of bubble hem tops from next.

blazer sounds nice but i struggle to find one broad enough for my shoulders but that also fits petite bod.

i can probably hang on for a few more weeks now but i've shrunk massively already and expect the last bit to need a solid effort to shift.

[plipplops]

I did the personal shopper thing when DD was about 9 months old - took DH (well he was paying), and it was great to try on different shapes/styles to anything I'd tried before and get some general advice on how to dress my new, slightly depressing, shape. And I just went with my sister to Debenhams as she'd got some vouchers for her birthday. Think she had about £150 to spend but didn't spend it all - the guy didn't mind in the slightest that she didn't buy everything he tried on her, and I'd like to think that my influence stopped her going down a V dodgy cropped pleated stonewash denim trouser route! Both there and House of Fraser (where I'd gone) ask you beforehand what your budget is (i.e. how much would you spend on a pair of jeans etc) to get an idea what to show you. I think they'd rather you came away happy and went back - I'd definitely do it again in a few years, or if I had a big do to go to and just couldn't find anything I liked. Also it's great to only get undressed once! My advice would be to do it, but take someone whose opinion you trust to rein you in and stop you getting carried away.

I'd agree with pp to wait a bit - your shape will change so much over the next few months. I remember buying a few second hand bits off eBay for a few quid just to get something new just after DD was born, it was nice to get something different and dead cheap...

[ElenStone]

I found leggings and loose floaty tops and maxi dresses a godsend after DD was born. Invest in some that aren't too expensive and dress them up with some fabulous jewellery, that way you won't be spending a fortune on things you'll only be wearing for a couple of months or so :)

[Franup]

Re: blazers if you look for a cropped style (Gap often have them) and then size up, you will get the shorter length for your body, but a bit broader (for now) on shoulders.

Or have a look at the blazers in jersey material as they give a bit more. But I suspect if you try a few you will find the perfect blazer