Working clothes - wobbly postpartum body...

[bibbetybobbetybooo]

Ah shit! I'm going back to work soon and nothing fits me anymore.

I've had mobility issues so sitting on my arse, unable to move much and definitely not able to exercise has played havoc with my body shape.

I'm so bloody depressed at the fact that I'm 2 sizes bigger on my bottom half and I look like I'm 6 months pregnant.

Im around a 14/16 on the top and an 18 around my tummy.

Has anyone got any ideas on how I can dress this new body? I need to wear smart, preferable tailored trousers and tops. Was kind of hoping to get away with tapered trousers and tunic tops that'll hide the fat...?

[VioletBam]

Tapered trousers aren't flattering....I know...I'm a similar shape! Could you instead move to dark coloured tights and smart dresses? With a jacket?

[Diamondsandpears]

Agree with the dark jackets with dresses and tights.

[bibbetybobbetybooo]

Only problem with dresses is that because my bum/hips are much bigger than my top half, ones that fit the bottom tend to gape at the top. Maybe skirts and floaty tops... Argh!

[VioletBam]

You need dresses which are shaped correctly so they don't gape. Fuller skirts will accommodate your hips.

[Marmalade85]

Definitely dress with jacket and thick black tights (will suck your tummy in). Try some different styles

[bibbetybobbetybooo]

I'll go shopping and have a play with dresses! Thank you everyone. Need to invest in good undies, I think. Which shaping pants are comfy?

[everdene]

I'd buy dresses in a size that fits your bottom half and take them to a dressmaker/tailor to fit the top half. It's not that expensive but then looks really well cut.

I'm 5'2 but have size GG boobs so I often have to do that but to make dresses fit my top half!

[RabbitsNap01]

Boden have some dresses that flare out at the skirt that are washable and I find quite kind to my mum tum and huge behind

[everdene]

Sorry, just realised you said you prefer trousers and tops!

A tailored jacket will nip everything in.

Also, just buy underwear to fit, I never bother with shaping underwear as it makes my legs ache. If you can afford it, go to Rigby and Peller or Bravissimo and get some well-cut underwear - that in itself helps your underlying 'structure'.

I tend not to wear tunics as they look a bit tent-y on me, but looser tops (from Cos or Reiss) and well-cut t-shirts from Hobbs under a blazer look good. Also, weirdly I have found that slightly higher-cut tops which finish mid-bottom rather than covering the whole arse are more flattering as they are not trying to 'hide' it so it doesn't look like I'm deliberately trying to cover it up. Then my blazer hides the multitude of sins when I'm walking around!

[VioletBam]

Agree about Boden OP. Their designs are very flattering.

[nicebitofsodaandjam]

In the same place but a bit further on! Have been doing 5:2 and some fitness blender/yoga-with-Adrienne videos on youtube. Only for a month but it's AMAZING how a couple of pounds off and bit better posture, plus even 20 mins a couple of times a week just nakes me feel better. Clothes, I am thinking of a nice forgiving pencil skirt in charcoal or black, m&s are good for these, or asos for a basic one, tights, flats, a nice top and cardigan (uniqlo, merino), or jacket. Going to try to keep it neutral/'classy', and inexpensive before clearly at some point in the future I will spring, thin as a wraith, into high fashion.