Styles for looking smart and hiding a mum tum

[strawberrycake]

I'm returning to work soon and pretty much my entire work wardrobe looks crap/ doesn't fit as I have always favoured nipped-in waists and belted waists. My high trousers and skirts don't do up over my jelly belly, although they fit everywhere else. I'm prone to a pot belly and it'll take me months and months to re-tone it/ lose the fat.

I'm a reasonable size everywhere but my belly which is still a mum-tum is a huge problem. It's improved my ds is still only 3 months to be fair. What styles will look good, are affordable and can still be worn as my belly improves. My belly WILL improve and I WILL fit back in normal clothes, but I want something affordable so I don't return to work looking a mess. Oh I have big boobs too (34 E/F) to hide (they sadly are a permanent feature and respond little to diets).

Ok more info, I'm 5ft 9, 34in inside leg, size 10 if trousers are UNDER belly, probably need a 14 if high waisted (but I have a small bum). Arms are fine. Back fine. Boobs big but have bonus of hiding belly if fabric drapes. I'm a teacher so not looking for suits/ office wear. More smart fairly everyday clothes. I want to avoid jeans as I wore them all pregnancy and I'm sick of them. Only dress code at work is no logos/ fairly smart casual. I need to be able to sit on a carpet without flashing my bum and lean over a table to mark work without giving the poor child an eye full of boob. Heating in the building vaires from freezing to tropical depending on the room so layers are good but thick jumpers are unwise. I've never found a shirt to fit my boob size/ back combination. Oh I'm 27 too, mid-length brown bob, very very pale skin.

Please help, I'm in a complete style rut. If you're good at styles/ enjoying styling I will be ever so grateful for your input. Most the other women are around my age but have no kids and swan around looking great, I want to fit in and not look too 'mummy' iyswim.

What about jersey tunic tops? A well cut one would hide your tum and would still look good as you lose the weight. Tou could wear over slim leg trousers with wedge shoes or boots?

You should keep the nipped in waist, but change from pencil to flared skirt or dress so tummy is hidden. I would wear a dress like this with a wide belt, or use draping like this or this

I am very tall and generally slim-ish, but have a post-two-c-sections jelly belly and huge breasts, too, so I feel your pain!

I changed my style completely after the birth of my second child. I used to wear a lot of fitted/tight tops and jeans, but now wear dresses with nipped in waists but flary skirts or tunic tops (not the proper 'baby doll' style ones, though or just look pregnant!) over leggings/thick tights with boots.

I actually prefer my 'new' style. It is more feminine and easier to dress up or down. I can wear slouchy boots and a long cardi over the top if I want to dress down, and boots wioth a heel, jewellery/scarves and more nipped in, 50s style ardis if I want to look more dressy.

cardis not ardis!

I have hideous mum tum (and sadly, DS is 8 months and its not showing signs of going anywhere anytime soon )

I find anything too low waisted just pushes my tum above it and makes it look bigger. Higher waisted stuff doesn't tend to fit very well across hips/bum once its big enough to fit waist/tum. I'm tending to wear lots of leggings and tunics and have got dresses to wear with leggings or opaques. Draping is your friend. As are lots of thin long scarves or long beads to draw attention away from the tum. Spanx are good for special occasions as well.

Phase eight had some nice stuff in the sale but there doesn't seem much left in the sale now.

M&S

with a cardigan

Tilly-I'll try that drape dress.

I have some old tunic style tops, but they tend to make me look a little barrel shaped with skinny legs and arms. Maybe it's the size?

tether-if that first dress fits it would be a great staple.

Shirt- wise- did you try TM Lewin? When I was 34H while BF intensively, their shirts fittted brilliantly.