Help needed to buy capsule wardrobe for going back to work post-natal & bf

[Fenouille]

Hi, it's the first time I'm de-lurking here but I think I need your help :)

I'm going back to work next month - I'll be four month post-natal and still bf (pumping during the day) and I need a capsule wardrobe to carry me through the next months as nothing in my wardrobe currently fits me

I'm currently a size 14-16 (normally 12-14), long-ish legs and body (5' 8"), C-cup (normally B) and I had a fab pregnancy wardrobe - never felt so well dressed. I need to be smart for work so I had:
2 pairs linen trousers
2 dresses
1 skirt
All black, brown or white
Variety of tops in brighter colours to go with the trousers and skirt.
A short denim jacket and a loose grey jacket to smarten up the top.
1 pair each of black and brown flats
1 pair short ankle boots

Jackets are favoured in my office to smarten up an outfit so need really to stay with that to fit in.

I've got shopping opportunities in the next couple of weeks at M&S, Next, Country Casuals, Debenhams, House of Frazer and probably some other chains that I can't remember as I don't live in the UK any more.

I'm thinking dresses would be the way to go as I'm hoping that at some point I'm going to start losing the baby weight. Possibly v-necks too to facilitate the bf. I desperately need some help and advice though as to what I should be looking for in terms of shapes and also what types of footware I'm going to need as what I have is totally inadequate.

I throw myself on your mercy! :)

Hopeful bump?

Daily Mail link coming up but I liked most of these looks with one skirt.

here

I've been pumping on long-distance commutes by train and in my office. What you wear will really depend on whether or not you have your own office or not. I do, and I have a fridge with freezer.

I took myself down to LK Bennett in the sales and bought myself size 14 dresses that are a little tight at the moment (but not uncomfortably or obscenely so) but will still look good when I lose the rest of my baby weight. They all have long side zips, and if I undo the zip I can pump on both sides through the dress IYSWIM. I definitely could not do this though if I didn't have my own office.

I also bought an extremely nice pair of Parisian pinstripe trousers from TK Maxx and wear those with a smart jacket and dark plain top with stretchy vest underneath, so I can do the top-up-vest-down combo to pump. This would work if you are at risk of being walked in on.

I have found (and I am NOT and expert so take this with a pinch of salt) that dresses in a fluid fabric with some draping, particularly from a central knot like this, work well when you have sized-up BF boobs to consider and a postnatal belly to disguise.

Not saying you should get that dress btw (especially as it's Boden and that would make me a massive MN cliche) - it's close to sold out anyway, I just recalled it had the right sort of shape.

(But actually, looking more closely, the size 14 is in stock in brown, which you said suited you! Could always try and return ...)

Beanlet - you pump on the train?! Do you have a special private carriage?

i am the same exactly size as you, and also 3.5mo post natal.

these tops skim nicely without being tent like, and because they are slightly drapey are good to bf in.

forgot to say - like a lot of M&S stuff they look gopping on the website but are very inoffensive in rl

this also

Agree with the others. Jersey dresses are your friend. Also the wrap dress. Lovely one from Isabella Oliver here www.isabellaoliver.com/womens-clothing/uk/600/dresses/DR432.html

If you use the code REDSPRING you should get 20% off

Also LK Bennett have some nice wrap dresses.

I hate to say it given the recent thread about waterfall cardigans but this one from jigsaw is lovely. I bought it last season and it saw me through breastfeeding

www.jigsaw-online.com/fashion/1001257/J12406/womens/knitwear/cardigans/viscose-wool-long-drape-rib-cardigan

Finally get yourself some really great shoes.....

Just happened to notice this Frugi dress is half price in the sale. Don't know if the black would be smart enough but I can vouch that the quality is lovely and they wash really well.

Ooh, some lovely ideas, thanks everyone.

bean No private office (yet ) but my company does have a breastfeeding room for ladies needing to pump at work. I've no idea how busy it will be but I suspect I'll have a fair amount of privacy in there.

collision thanks for the article, think I might print it out for inspiration

Charlotte Those tops look ideal. I'd probably be popping into M&S anyway so I'll keep my eyes peeled.

DirtyM & Ants: But won't it make my tummy look ginormous? I understand the principle of jersey draping but I'm a little frightened to try it out! And I've already got a waterfall cardi - didn't realise they were so controversial before that thread :)

LYM That dress looks good for the weekend (not dressy enough for work unfortunately).

I've not heard of LK Bennet but I see there's one not too for away so might have to pop over and have a look. Thanks for the tip.

What are the sales like in the UK this year? Are they pretty much over already? They've been completely crap here (France) this year. Mega-discounts but nothing I'd wear without being paid.

you are me!!!!

I am in same boat

I am going to get basics from MandS in the vague hope that in a few more months I will be back to my usual size 13....

that top that charlotte posted, a nice jacket, pencil skirt and some great shoes will be my look

in fact spend all the money on the shoes IMO

I pump in the disabled loo on my 3.5 hour commute, otherwise my boobs would explode! It's remarkably straightforward. Only do the roundtrip once a week though.

fen draping is your friend! Will hide tummy promise. This is lovely
www.jigsaw-online.com/fashion/1001254/J12463/womens/dresses/lyocell-jersey-wrap-dress

OK, so now we know bean isn't the Queen... Sam Cam perhaps? Although on a more serious note, I'm sure pumping in the train toilet can't be much fun. At least that's one problem I don't have - my commute is only 10 minutes either way.

Ant that dress is gorgeous, but I'm not sure I can justify spending that sort of money on a (hopefully) short term fix. At least I know what sort of jersey dress I'm looking for now. I had those swishy wrap-around ones in mind and couldn't quite see how it would work.

porca Sounds like you are me, just with a much better fashion sense! Pencil skirt sounds like I great idea. I'm not sure about shoes, I've got a dreadful fashion sense when it comes to shoes. Any recommendations?

Sorry for the late reply to all of your wonderfully helpful suggestions, we've been travelling back to the UK these last 24 hours. Once I've caught up on my sleep I'll be ready to hit the shops :)

The White Company has some lovely jersey stuff

The White Company has some great jersey stuff.
www.thewhitecompany.com/category.aspx?id=1000832

Where are you planning to go shopping? There is a great White Company behind Peter Jones on the Kings Road and you can also go to Zara, LK Bennett, Jigsaw etc

As for shoes what are you looking for? I have just bought these shoe boots from M&S

www.marksandspencer.com/Ruched-Wide-High-Heel-Boots/dp/B0047RD8KQ?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_2&nodeId=432768031&sr=1-2&qid=1297115439&pf_rd_r=1099FDTAJSKF79JRRBZR&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=432768031&pf_rd_p=215570647&pf_rd_s=related-items-3

Gap seems to have some great classic stuff in at the moment. Have a look at these trousers

www.gap.eu/browse/product.do?cid=57402&vid=1&pid=760949&scid=760949017

I have been wearing then with trousers and wrap dresses.

Gap seems to have some lovely classic stuff in

try Russel and Bromley, they have really nice work courts and comfy too

I still have a nice animal print pair that can glam up my pencil skirt and blouse!

I do recolmmend M&S as they have good basics and they aint too costly

I am a bit too Fat for Zara now :-(

Those Gap trousers are lovely but I fear that I am too fat curvaceous for them :( And I've never been thin enough to fit into Zara...

The shoes on the other hand are rather nice. I've already got a pair of black ankle books so they would work well with the other half of my wardrobe.

My Mum keeps blathering on about The White Company. I've personally never heard of them but apparently there's a store just opened here in town so I'm going to go and have a look.

So my shopping list is now:
Couple of jersey / wrap dresses - LK Bennett, TWC
Pencil skirt & tops - M&S
Ankle boots or brown court shoes
Possibly some trousers if I can find any that fit my waist, hips and bum simultaneously

I will probably go on Tuesday so I will report back for your critique.

Thank you tremendously

OK, today I did M&S. I have been moderately successful but only managed to find black and grey bottom halves - brown seems to be out this season.

I got:
straight leg trousers , Slouch Cardi , blouse , skirt , and this skirt and a couple of the tops recommended by Charlotte in blue. These will also go with my grey and denim jackets.

How did I do? I'm still planning a trip to look at dresses and I need a couple more tops. I also need a pair of brown shoes ( Ant I tried on the ones you posted and wow, the heel is bloody high I am a wimp ). Got these instead: wedge shoes .

I also bought some black and sheer tights with extra hold in a vain attempt to hold my tummy and bum in. I hope they work miracles .

I hope the links work, I'm doing it from my phone...

Oh yeah, my Mum wanted me to get these Apparently now I'm a mother I've also turned into a 70 year old woman too.

I have the dirtymartini dress and it's very forgiving and makes me feel really good. Hides a multitude of sins! Alone or with a fitted cardi looks good.

It's no longer available in my size unfortunately, however I'm on the look out for something similar.