Wedding guest outfit for a post-partum butch woman?

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

My brother's wedding is in a couple of weeks, and DP is four months post-baby, with a bit of a c-section tummy which she's quite conscious of. She's slimmed down a lot but doesn't really feel herself - she used to be a tall, athletic size 10 and has broad shoulders, so used to fit into men's shirts nicely. She's also breastfeeding. She's roughly a size 16 in Next (where she finally found non-maternity jeans to fit) but is mostly wearing her maternity clothes, quite a lot of which are H&M men's t-shirts.

What shops are best for that body shape? She'd like something that looks smart and formal, not necessarily a suit (though that would be fun), but not feminine and not showing any cleavage.

(NB: she'd not thank me for 'butch' as a term, but what I mean to get across is that she's not likely to thank anyone for recommending a nice camisole under a smart blazer or a pair of floaty trousers with some kitten heels!)

I think she needs to buy from the womens section to get a good fit for her post baby shape but something clean cut like a trouser suit with crisp white shirt or just some plain trousers with a mandarin collar shirt a shirt would be easy to feed in too , a department store stocking different brands is probably best she can try on to make sure shes happy with the cut

I'm hoping for recommendations for which shops. It'd be really good to have some idea just to narrow things down.

How much bustier is she than before? It might be worth her getting measured so she can get an idea of what her relative size now is, so to speak. If her boobs are bigger in proportion to her pre-baby figure, she may want to look at retailers like Bravissimo and St Bustier to find shirts etc that fit well over proportionately bigger boobs (rather than hanging like tents).

And congratulations to you both on your baby!

How about buying a shirt that fits her boobs and getting the rest tailored? Alterations in a decent dry cleaners aren't normally expensive and then she'd get a fabulous fit? Trousers - I found there was a loooong time when maternity trousers fitted better after the baby so I wouldn't necessarily discount them. ASOS have a wide maternity range and easy returns so order a load and try on? Not much help I'm afraid but I do understand the want to feel good in clothes when postpartum so hope you/she can find something fabulous

outrageous - she was about 36D before she was pregnant (though I'm not convinced that was the right fit) and she's now in nursing bras, but the last one was H cup, I think. She is losing some size there though, too. The thing with Bravissimo is the arms are very short, so they don't fit her well.

not - do you think alterations are feasible in the time (about two and a half weeks)? See, I'd be so tempted to do this but I'd think it would be difficult. She tried on some gorgeous shirts in Ted Baker men's today but was just so gutted because the size that fits her arms/shoulders is two sizes smaller than she needs to fit across her. She loves the fabric and colours. But there were acres of extra fabric in the arms on the one big enough to fit her waist.

And this is helpful, so please don't apologise!

Oops - and thanks for the congratulations, out.

Gap slim trousers (bi stretch) are nice. Would they perhaps work, with a plain top and then a blazer of some sort?

Ah, good point about the Bravissimo shirt sleeves! As she's found a shirt she likes and that fits in one dimension, I'd definitely have a look at getting it altered. A decent tailor should be able to do it within the time. (Shirts also great for breastfeeding, as she's probably already found out!)

Might indeed, thanks very much remus. Will try.

out, that's really reassuring to know!

How about trousers and a woman's shirt from a trad men's shirt maker like TM Lewin?

My cousin!s wife wore a shalwar kameez for her wedding, and often wears this style in a dark colour for other formal occasions and looks terrific.

TM Lewin a good idea. This is nice but maybe too flowery?

Birds

Polka dots a Boden

Horses at Joules

A shirt dress from Cos? they are great for more androgynous looks, very stylish and good quality.

Join 'Can I breastfeed in it-uk' group on Facebook! That'll help!

T M Lewin looks good - will suggest that, thank you!

Lotsof - she hasn't willingly worn a dress since she was six. I don't think she's about to start now.

katniss - thanks!

Alterations by our dry cleaners take a week max, and can be done faster for a fee. Maybe ring some local places and ask

I'd go for the one she likes best and get it altered. I've started doing this and it rarely takes longer than a week. Given the occasion you could maybe send for another - e.g. a TM Lewin -as a back up but keep the tags on and return it if the alterations go to plan. (Or keep both!)

Well said, Flo 'Why stop at one when you can have two' Is Me.

Ooh, this is sounding very hopeful for alterations! Thanks both.

remus - heh, yes, that's me too! But not DP. When I met her I think she had two bras, three pairs of jeans and about five shirts.

I'm big and get a lot of things from JD WIlliams, they do have flowery blouses but also smart tunics.

www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/shirts/tops/womens/1/_/N-1ytvwxx/products/show.action?hnid=11191731&type=cmr

I think this model from mango is wearing a look that would work.

The top half is a bit Sandi toksvig

Uniqlo do shirts with both long sleeve and 3/4, in a range of plain colours and fabrics. They also do good trousers.

This woman does made to measure, the last thing I ordered took a week to arrive:

www.etsy.com/ie/listing/533835025/white-linen-shirt-casual-top-women-white?ref=shop_home_active_10

www.etsy.com/ie/listing/537664579/summer-pants-beige-pants-plus-size?ref=shop_home_active_18

Something like this if the top is low enough to pull down to breastfeed in? m.asos.com/asos-tall/asos-tall-belted-jersey-jumpsuit-with-kimono-sleeve/prd/7065707?affid=14179&channelref=product%20search&mk=abc&currencyid=1&ppcadref=761030383%7C39786857003%7Caud-234508750992:pla-281563192718&gclid=Cj0KCQjw--DLBRCNARIsAFIwR27jxMOtxBFd_W3z7-CBGVn-mjXvlZqzbXRjbRLl9mxcPRmNKNS-BnAaAploEALw_wcB