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Original poster

I'm suddenly a size 14 with an overhang and have no idea what to wear. Please help

80 replies

crystalgall · 08/02/2016 15:02

I know this is going to sound ridiculous and precious but I can't even bear to look at my naked body anymore.

Had a baby 3 and a half months ago. C Section.

I was a size 10-12 before mainly due to big boobs. My staple at work was pencil skirts and tucked in tops and fitted dresses. Skinny jeans and tips for casual. I was v happy with my style and had a decent enough tummy.

Now I look hideous. My stomach is huge and has fold upon fold. It hangs over and is saggy and mishappen. Truly awful. My
Boobs have completely sagged. Huge bum/thighs.

I don't look good in anything and
No longer know what to wear.
I'm on maternity so don't need to worry about work clothes but even day wear has me stumped.

I live in skinny jeans (high waisted to suck in as much tummy as possible) and baggy tops. But I look fat and frumpy.

I went shopping with my sister (21 and a size 6. Clearly I wanted to torture myself). I tried on dozens of tops but either they made my stomach bulge or were too baggy and so made me look big and frumpy. I was in tears by the end of the day.
I can't wear jumpers Confused. They make me look fat because my
Tummy just sticks out.

Please help. I know a size 14 isn't huge but it's the giant wobbly belly that is killing me. My self esteem is shot. I used to love style blogs and fashion and style. I loved dressing for work and used to feel sexy. I am
So far from that person it's like she never existed. I will add I have horrible PND at the moment and it may be increasing my anxiety over it all

Is it at all
Possible for me to look good anymore?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
PersisFord · 09/02/2016 11:54

Buy my Ted baker dress!!!!!! It looks lovely!!! And then just engineer your life to fit it. Honestly, even just trying it on made me feel better that there was one dress, in a young person shop, that fitted and suited me.

I have no style tips because I am a shameless style parasite....but we have always shopped to suit our figures before. Like I always used to be quite flat chested so would never have bought a v neck dress or w halter neck because I looked awful. So now I think I just have a different shape to dress for. And tunics give me the heebie jeebies but I like baggy jumpers and skinny jeans from next (I can also fit in a 10 in next, which is good for my ego even if inaccurate!!).

PersisFord · 09/02/2016 11:56

Try it again with Spanx on? And size up because all clothes look better too baggy than too tight. Then cut the label out (like I have from my fat face dresses)

Original poster
crystalgall · 09/02/2016 11:56

Too pricey for me Persis! I do
Like it even though it's not my usual style and of course looks gorge on the model.

OP posts:
Original poster
crystalgall · 09/02/2016 11:56

Haha. Just saw your last post!

OP posts:
PersisFord · 09/02/2016 12:00

It's ridiculous, isn't it? Was my Xmas and bday present all in one. But I can't describe how happy it made me just knowing it existed!!! Def not my usual style, I thought it looked shapeless but it is so beautiful. Try it on, snap a selfie, then bask in your own beauty.

bishboschone · 09/02/2016 12:12

How about jeggings / skinny jeans and long line shirts with a short her layer on top to emphasise shape ?

bishboschone · 09/02/2016 12:15

This sort of thing ? Plain shirts if you don't like them?

I'm suddenly a size 14 with an overhang and have no idea what to wear. Please help
I'm suddenly a size 14 with an overhang and have no idea what to wear. Please help
Original poster
crystalgall · 09/02/2016 12:15

Can you show me an example
Of what you mean bish?

Am loving the Ted Baker website. Beautiful outfits.

www.tedbaker.com/uk/Womens/Clothing/Dresses/LEVANA-Embroidered-mesh-midi-dress-Dark-Red/p/125500-40-DARK-RED

The price Shock

OP posts:
Original poster
crystalgall · 09/02/2016 12:17

X post. I like the second one. Have tried a few button shirts. Lots of denim ones around at the moment but they don't look right on me. Maybe because of big boobs...

OP posts:
Original poster
crystalgall · 09/02/2016 12:17

In fact the style of the second is about the only kind of thing I can wear and get away with.

OP posts:
bishboschone · 09/02/2016 12:34

Right , there are loads of these in primark . I am 5 ft and post my baby I was 12/14/16 . It wasn't good and I was wearing these sort of outfits . I know what you mean about the semi tuck . That's the look I always went for . I've lost weight with sw now and am back to a 8/10 . I need to lose another stone but it's a start .

Youvegottobekidding · 09/02/2016 13:15

I was (kind of still am - 6 years on so I can't use the new baby excuse anymore 😕) In exactly the same place as yourself, OP.

I found bubble hem type tops great, hid my tummy the best. Tunic tops just make me look as though I was still 9 months pregnant! And sainsburys TU jeggings are fab - elasticated waist, they tuck everything in & at a great price so you can get them in a few colours - or even better wait till there 25% off - should be anytime soon, maybe next week. I still buy them, they are so comfy.

I did lose some of the baby weight by going to Zumba classes, you don't need to know how to dance - you can't do it wrong. I did it at home as well on the wii. But I stopped going as my friends did & felt a bit billy no mates. Haven't done it for a very long time & the weight has crept back on, age is creeping up with me so I need motivation to get back into it!

PersisFord · 09/02/2016 16:02

Ted baker is beautiful. I used to buy loads of stuff there. But i couldn't afford to now anyway!

I am just browsing shape wear as well (my life is so exciting!!) and if I find anything that really helps I will let you know!

WRT jumpers I had some nice ones this year that had interesting backs - mesh or crossover. Then they were just plain and baggy on the front. Or I get massive ones and let them drop off my shoulder with a racing back vest underneath. I feel that the eye is drawn to the naked shoulder and not the tummy.

To be honest, I bet your baby is gorgeous and everyone is looking at him/her anyway!!!

Original poster
crystalgall · 09/02/2016 17:18

Thanks Persis. Pls do throw any recommendations this way.

OP posts:
Original poster
crystalgall · 09/02/2016 17:21

m.oasis-stores.com/border-floral-print-t-shirt/tops/oasis/fcp-product/5701300

I bought this and it looks nice with jeans with a blue cardi over it.

OP posts:
Original poster
crystalgall · 09/02/2016 17:23

m.newlook.com/shop/womens/tops/pale-blue-denim-single-pocket-dip-hem-t-shirt-_363587145

And though I hate New Look and am too old for their stuff I bought this denim top which doesn't look awful with jeans and converse.

I'm not in love with anything I'm buying at the moment though

OP posts:
bishboschone · 09/02/2016 19:07

I love that denim shirt , does it come up big or about right ?

PersisFord · 09/02/2016 19:16

I think the first priority is to get clothes that you don't hate. Love can come later. I really like the oasis tshirt, really pretty.

I have ordered this dress for a job interview....I like the high neck as it looks a bit more interesting than lots of the work things. Am going to get a kind of Shapewear dress to wear underneath it to smooth out my lumps and bumps. Am hoping it's not too long or too clingy, but I can just take it straight back to waitrose if it is!!

PersisFord · 09/02/2016 19:17

First time buying anything from Hobbs.....a little bit more is dying!!!!

PersisFord · 09/02/2016 19:22

I want to wear this beautiful dress but a) I don't think it will work and b) the cost!!!

Oly5 · 09/02/2016 20:58

It's such early days, be kind to yourself. I always find it takes at least a year to look anything like I did before... In the latest case, my daughter is 2 in April and I still have a stone to lose! Be kind to yourself, getting back to your old self takes time. Just buy bigger stuff for now x

toffeeboffin · 09/02/2016 21:36

Sounds like you need flared skirts that nip in at the waist and a fitted top with sleeves.

Make the most of your good bits, hide the bumps.

toffeeboffin · 09/02/2016 21:37

Off topic but low carb really works post partum. That and walking miles with the pram!

Original poster
crystalgall · 09/02/2016 22:16

bish it does come up big. I bought a 12 and it skims the tummy.

Persis I like the Reiss dress. Not my
Colour and out of budget but definitely my style.

OP posts:
Spring2016 · 20/02/2016 07:13

crystalgall this is the shaper I bought to wear underneath a knitted dress, upon suggestion of the sales woman, and I love it. I was slightly offended she suggested it until I saw how nice it made my dress look. I thought it would be uncomfortable and hot, but it isn't. :)
www.bodyhush.com/control-level/firm/the-slenderizing-slip-bh1502ms.html