My giant post baby belly won't fit in anything (dramatic sob). Need a dress for wedding/reception. Style guru needed

[wobblewobble]

Ok, if I'm honest my baby is more a toddler but the giant belly bit is true. Pre baby I was a 10/12 and now I'm 14 jeans and 12/14 top depending on the style so I know I'm not huuuuge but my stomach really is. I'm asked twice weekly when I'm due, by people I know and strangers. I look 20+ weeks pregnant. Empire line dresses seem to make me look like I have a lovely baby bump. So is that style always to be avoided? I have some tops (white stuff style) that are empire line ish which don't have the same effect because they're tight on busy and have (errr good description coming up) a kind of gathered pleated bit on bust so the fabric falls down and sort of out from there, so skins giant belly rather than clinging on to.
Anyway.... I need your help! Ideas and styles. I have nothing! Wedding is April so warmer I hope than now. Shoe wise I don't do heels so its jewelled flip flops all the way.
Pleated empire line?
Shift dress?
Google has suggested wrap dresses but won't that just wrap up my fake baby belly and make it more obvious?
Help! Please!!

Spanx? That's what I use. Makes going to the loo a nightmare

Not used them myself but another Mummy really recommended the Monsoon personal shopper service, she was still BF and probably a similar shape and size to you and she really rated them and looked amazing in the pictures.

Oddly sometimes wrapped or what appear to be 'tighter' dressers can flatter. Second the idea of spanx (or M&S knock off). What areas do you like, good boobs/legs? What colouring are you and what's your budget?

This is lovely but do you like your arms? could wear a cardi/ jacket?
be brutal likes dislikes on it for a starting point?
www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-aria-dress-cypress/p395152

Think you might need something with a proper waist (not empire) with gathering/drape something like this (ignore the colour etc)

No style advice but do read this thread about Diastasis Recti which is a condition which affects postpartum women.

Thank you. I'm very pale skinned with blue eyes and brown hair, usually wear blues, greens, purples and pinks and of course black! Definitely want to spend under £50. Don't want to show off boobage (breastfed for a looooong time and it took its toll!) and would prefer just above or on knee length. Or maxi, I've never had a maxi dress.

Thanks. The dresses linked would either make me look MASSIVE or not fit!
Blondieminx, thanks for the link. I've read up on dr before but when I went to a doctor about something else I mentioned it and she said absolutely no chance and to do sit ups (which I know isn't recommended for dr so ignored). Maybe a visit to someone else ....

If you want a dress with a waist, what about something from lady v London.
I am wearing one to a wedding with a fine knit cardi (fairly informal wedding)

starfish! was just about to mention this site, keep looking at them for moi in budget and very flared skirts, may be pefect for disguising tummy! Havent tried one myself, whats fit like starfish?
What do you think wobble?
www.ladyvlondon.com/Swing-Dresses_B26FPC.aspx

I think those swing dresses could really work. And yes yes to getting a second opinion on distasis. Get a reccomedation for a physio (pref who specializes in post Natal)....will look again at dresses on that budget

Creme, I am in the plus sizes and a funny shape so I had to do a bit of alteration as the armholes were gape-y; but I like the one I have for the wedding (hepburn) so much that I got a second in a different print for a party last week!!
I was a bit worried because they arrive in tiny bags - but the fabric is fairly substantial.
Delivery was quick. I had to send the first back as it was a bit small and the refund arrived quickly too.

(and no, I am not related to them!)

I know this is outwith your range, but what about something like this? It is a very flattering dress. I am a 14 and with a rather lumpy and bumpy tum and bum, but with a pair of hold me in tights, it looked good. Tad pissed off it is in the sale now though!

www.coast-stores.com/enna-sleeved-dresscoast/fcp-product/2143428579

wobble did the doctor actually examine you?

Unless the doctor examined your abdomen I can't see how they could rule it out?

I recommend Jillian's Banish Fat Boost Metabolism DVD you've got plenty of time before April and you will notice a difference immediately.

Clothes wise: a skirt and top can be much more flattering that a dress sometimes. A shift dress that is relatively straight cut can also work. Can't advise on wrap dresses as they don't suit me at all for some reason, whether I'm fat or thin.

There are quite a few bargain dresses at Alexon which may work for you. I think a pattern is better to hide a tum as long as it's not too tight.

Or this ribbon could be a disguise!

late to the party but I am a big girl and thought dresses were not my thing. I bought a maxi shift dress in plain black and dress it up with a loose soft cotton jacket with drape front or a colourful short cardi and really big jewellry, striking necklace chunky bracelets etc. I am a bit of a matchy girl so go for shoes and bag to match too. complete stranger once stopped me in a pub to say how lovely my outfit was when I wore it with flat yellow pumps and a yellow short sleeve cardi.

I have the same issue,huge baby belly but not actually that big overall. Dresses are not your friend, your friend is the short A line skirt which teamed with a just above the hip cardi and a top (or even 2 layers) underneath gives a bit more structure and the layers reduce cling.I wouldn't be able to wear any of the wrap dresses posted as I have a thin back and a huuge belly. Also have you tried Tupler exercises? This won't sort you out in time for the wedding but I'm making bit of progress with them and i now look like i have a mummy tum rather than actually pg.