Please help a useless at shopping, feeling frumpy nearly 30 something look half nice for a change....

[mrsconflicted]

Sorry another weddning thread (and 30th birthday!). Turn 30 at end of September and got 7 month old baby.

Stats as follows:

Post baby body size: 12-14
Height: 5'8"
Red Hair, pale complexion
Don't 'do' fake tan really

I'm having a body crisis. Have a dishy husband and always felt fairly attractive (in a non tanned, non blonde, non perfect barbie kind of way) but just feel so frumpy and horrible at the moment. My best mate is getting married in three weeks and I'm just absolutely dreading it as I feel like a horrible ugly uncomfy in my body kind of freak. Just want to be invisible on the day. Also got a milestone birthday coming up and want to feel ok about seeing family and mates not seen in a while.

Please suggest some outfits/styles.....!

[MrsBadger]

am bookmarking, will be back at lunchtime but must must work

in the meantime
good / bad points?
what colours suit you?
normal kind of style?

[mrsconflicted]

Thanks MrsBadger

Good points - toned legs (v pale though), nice hair (longish)
Bad points - TUMMY (post baby wobbly and awful), feel a bit paranoid about the tops of my arms, paleness

Colours - bit scared of colour - often wear black but not really appropriate for wedding. Blue and greens are ok but avoid anything in red, purple, pink etc so as not to clash with hair.

Normal Style??? Usually try to keep it as simple as poss. Pretty boring I suppose and awful at shopping. Never know what works!!!!

[MrsBadger]

right

for post-baby tummy you need one of the Monsoon dresses with the waist ruching
(NB you don;t need to be able to bf in it do you? whole other ball game...)

[rummages]

this is the closest I can find in their current collection but really I was hoping for a v-neck

The other option is a more fitted style thus or similar that would make the most of your curves, but you would need some scaffoldy underwear. Coast to a version too, they are all ripoffs of inspired by the Roland Mouret Galaxy dress. Sophisticated but understated, will get a lot of wear

[mrsconflicted]

Have finished BF now so much less of a cleavage but easier to find a dress that will work [hopes].

Thanks MrsBadger - both links are nice. You've inspired me to get cracking and head down to monsoon for a trying on session.

[tinierclanger]

Also, have you thought of trying a personal shopper? I went to the Debenhams one post-baby and she was lovely, really boosted my confidence and found me all sorts of things to try I wouldn't have done normally. Obviously you're limited to what they've got in store but it's free and you don't have to buy anything if you're not keen.

[MrsBadger]

ruched waist dress pics are a bit crap and obv colour is not right on you but that is the style

aha this is better
see how that waist panel works? tis fab
actually that green would look lovely with red hair - if you are a Monsoon 14 I'd bid.

that shape came in loads of colours - green print, polka dots etc but for some reason is not in the current range

[Tombliboobs]

Have no advice really, I just love being nosy on these threads

FWIW, I really like the green print one MrsBadger linked to on her last post. From what you have said, it will really suit you.

From your description, it sounds like you have a lot going for you and I am sure if you manage to get shopping you will find something that looks fab.

[janeite]

Ooh I like that Galaxy-style dress a lot. OP something like that in green would be fab on you.

[janeite]

And look on the Coast home page for another amazing fitted dress.