Fat arms, massive saggy belly and double chin - big weekend coming up, help me look half decent please!

[babysaurus]

14 weeks ago I was pregnant, which is my excuse for my current body shape. I have gone from a 14ish to about an 18 at the moment and am off to London to see old friends this weekend and want to look as good as I can under the circumstances.

As money is a bit of an issue I cant go mad, but have been trawling Ebay for dresses but am getting a bit uninspired - can anyone help me? I was initially thinking empire line style dresses (like this one, or tunics perhaps with a waist length fitted cardie but am open to suggestion (and need all the help I can get!) As for the chin / very round face issue I suppose I'll have to just wear my hair down and get creative with the bronzer!

I think it's a bit 'night dressy' tbh especially as it's white.

Can you buy new jewellery and perhaps a scarf and a new lippy to re vamp an outfit you have already?

At the risk of sounding mean.... NO. If you are as you describe - (trust me, when mine was 14 wks old I looked like a total state, so not judging, or trying to be mean) then it is not a great style for you. Plus, i expect your boobs are not pre child yet so will not fit in that dress comfortably.

Do you have jeans that you can wear? Jeans, heels, top with a bit of a sleeve, or a blouse, showing cleavage to balance you out. Great bag, fab makeup.
You have just had a baby - the very fact you are leaving the house at this point for a big night out - I could never have done that. Have fun!

Why about something like this from Dorothy Perkins ? Good price and would cover baby tummy. There is no waist line as such to fight with (my tummy is my worst bit and always found waist lines a problem). Would look nice with long or waist length cardi, leggings and heels or tights and boots.
Have a great night out whatever you chose to wear

I think that's lovely and would look great with leggings or jeans.

I don't think you're being mean, don't worry! I know what you mean about night-dressy but I suppose I am drawn to it as I have a few nightdressy style (ie fat hiders) dresses. However, they look better on slimmer people than I currently am! Also quite like the colour as I have a bit of a tan, but it may also serve to make me just look wider (the style of the dress, not the tan.)

I don't have jeans, no. The one's I do have I barely fit into before I got pregnant so I am not even going to look at them now! I also feel like I am wearing my mums high heels if I have heels on, so while I'd love to look effortlessly cool in them I, er, won't.

Its not a big night out I am going to, it's a weekend (with the baby) with some friends in London so I don't need to be dressed up as such, just a bit more presentable than my current state. I know I've just had a baby etc etc but I think I just want to feel semi attractive as opposed to a big fat, and scruffy, blob.

Cleavage it is then! Shame me tit's feel droopy really...

Well you have basically described me and I wouldn't suit either of those dresses.

If you have fat arms you don't really want them on display. Do you have to wear a dress? What about skinny jeans, longish top, lightweight blazer and either a scarf or snazzy necklace if it's too hot?

Mumelie that is the kind of inspiration I am after, thank you! I have been looking at some of the tunic dresses for Boden (on, er, Ebay) but that may be better. And less obviously Bodeny, if that makes sense.

Bonnie I have several small cardie's so would wear one of those - these arms are not for display!
I would not want to wear skinny jeans as even though my legs are not too bad, relatively, I hate to feel constricted even at the best of times.
Am now thinking scarves. Decoy scarves...

And big wedge heels. I always feel I have lost half a stone when I grow a few inches.

I feel your frustration. I went from a 10/12 to a 16/18 post baby and had nothing to wear and no idea how to clothe this new body!
Decoy scarves are an excellent idea, I use them every day.

Am wondering about flary trousers and a slightly fitted (SLIGHTLY) scoop-necked blouse and a decoy scarf...? But this may be the wine talking.

Mumelie I too have a wardrobe of clothes that are either too small or too big, and the few things that do fit I am sick of!

That sounds good.

Sounds like a good outfit.

ordered! some flary jersey / linen trousers in the Toast sale, I have a bum hiding flattering top and a decoy scarf already.
Phew!
Thanks everyone - and it's good to know I am not the only one with body / wardrobe dramas!