I need help please. One hour to shop for a body that doesn't feel like mine

[Raggs]

I have a lovely 3 month old baby but it's been a long road, various health issues and practically been housebound during pregnancy and post but starting to venture out and finally feeling myself again

Apart from one thing. I've gone from a fairly consistent size 12 to around a 16-18. I don't have anything to wear apart from my (very stretchy) maternity clothes, pyjamas or DH's t-shirts

I used to take pride in my appearance and live clothes but looking online my confidence is shot and I've got no sense of what would fit me from the shops I normally go to...

I've decided I need to brave the shops, preferably one shop and buy a couple of versatile outfits to see me through. I'm breastfeeding which is why there is a time limit - that also has a little bit of sway on what I can wear.

Sorry what a lot of ramble to get to my question but I have some options shop wise I could go to and feeling a bit overwhelmed on where to try. I really don't want to spend too much since I'm hoping to lose weight soonish.

I could go to a retail park with a
Next
Matalan

Or go somewhere with
Zara (not sure they cater for 18 if I need it?)
New look
M&S

Or it would be a bit of hassle but I could get myself to a Pri-Mark

Any suggestions on outfits/styles would be so appreciated. I feel so lost.

Go to next or matalan , they are kinder on sizes and in my experience cater for a fuller figure than Zara or Primark so you will no doubt have more luck .. what about a loose shirt dress with tights and boots ?

Thanks so much for replying.

Shirt dress would probably need to be worn with a top underneath. I'm v busty right now. Even when I was a 12 I was really too heavy but they are ridiculous at the moment. Not a stealth boast, it's really not a good look!

Would I wear a different colour top underneath do you think and make a feature of it or steer clear altogether as it would be obvious I couldn't button up?

I'd say m&s just because if you've only got a few outfits and you've a small baby you'll be washing them a lot. Marks should stand up better to this than Matalan or Zara, but maybe Next would too?

Do they all have cafés and nice toilets? Those would swing it for me too!

I had similar issues and survived on a diet of jeans (uniqlo men's ) and Breton tops. I think a uniform helped me when my body wasn't mine anymore.

Happy shopping Raggs .

Yes, Next and Matalan. Matalan jeans are good and not expensive. They do some good longer tops too. You could try jeggings with boots, some longer tops and a scarf? Good luck!

Honestly the 3 m pp is the worst bit. You think you should have lost most of the weight but you haven't. For me it started to go on its own around the 6 month mark. This was when I think my natural muscle strength started to come back.

Like you, both times, I had nothing that would fit me for the first 4/5 months and it really got me down. I'm fairly back to normal now after 8 months but do need to tone up properly.

I bought three pairs of skinny jeans that were 2 sizes bigger than my normal size. I also bought several of those loose fitting shirts which are longer - like go past your bum. This was the summer so maybe try the shirt dress that pp suggested? Just grab loads and try loads on.

Try to enjoy it cuz I still like my shirts now and glad I tried something different as I would never have bought that before.

You made a human - your body is amazing!! X

Next have some decent jeggings in at the moment. Look like skinnies but feel as comfortable and forgiving as leggings. I wear them with a long vest top and a hoodie but you could wear a dress or jumper.

I am busty too and find v necks much more flattering than a round neck top. I would buy a couple of pair of jeggings and a few cheaper tops from matalan.

I also got some really thick leggings from Evans the other day. Its not somewhere I usually shop but they have a concession in our local tescos. They feel really nice on but go for a smaller size. They also had some nice tops but I only wanted leggings.

I would avoid primark and zara and so on. I am a 14 and struggle to get anything in zara on.

Definetly try stuff on though. I know it's a pita with a baby in tow but unless something is comfortable I wear them once then they get forgotten. Especially if you are sat around bfing a lot.

I like the idea of having a sort of 'uniform'

Something I'm not embarrassed to be seen in but I don't need to think about too much.

My problem area is really my stomach. I have a massive overhang now. Trying to dress it feels impossible. I used to wear jeans a lot but not sure if they would work now. That's why I feel I need to try some things on.

I think I'm going to head to Matalan first. If it's a disaster I can maybe head out another day or do some online shopping in various sizes

Shopping list so far
Tights
Dress that buttons at front (maybe- fear it may make me look too busty)
Jeans - would stretchy pull on ones be more flattering?
Longer length tops preferably 3 quarter sleeves/full sleeves

Anything else? Why do I feel nervous about clothes shopping?!!!

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply

I would buy a couple of pairs of jeans in different colours eg black and grey that fit you nicely. Then several long line vests to wear underneath then you'll need a few lovely tops to wear over the top of them (This combo is perfect for breastfeeding). Next or M&S would be good for these as pp said you want them to wash ok. Have you got good breastfeeding bras? I got some of mine in m&s. How about a warm cardi that you can wear open - that should last even when you lose weight. A decent coat will be all a lot of people will see you in, if it's just for this winter you could get that in Primark or Matalan.

M and s have some nice shirt dresses just now, check your sparks card as there’s offers on.

I know you only want to go to one shop but new look do very comfy inexpensive jeggongs

chosenbyyou you have no idea how much that kindness means to me right now

Thanks everyone too, great suggestions!

I wear Matalan jeggings and find the waistband comfy, plus they come in different colours and aren't expensive. They also have a big selection of different coloured vest tops, which are again really reasonably priced.

Zara have some lovely jumpers in at the minute which although say 'M' on the label (I'm a size 16 too!) are oversized and easy to wear.
They are worth a look - if you have the time to try stuff on x

Something like this?
www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2672463_c101/floral-blouse-black

Matalan or Asda (I'm size 20 and can always find something there) I would go for jeans, vest tops and light weight jumpers.

Also if you want specific breastfeeding clothes you can buy online at ASOS and new look (both do delivery pass - £10 for free next day delivery all year). Chico jacks so lovely striped breastfeeding tops.

Think that looks lovely on the model curbside but I definitely couldn't tuck a shirt in at the moment! I need tops to cover my stomach area

Oversized jumpers is another good one to add to the list and maybe a waterfall type cardi?

It will actually just be really nice to have clothes that fit me. I think it will boost my confidence a bit

Hi OP - I'm very much in the same boat only my baby is nearly 6 months and I've still not shifted the weight! Can I recommend to you a Facebook group - it's called 'Can I breastfeed in it?' and lots of lovely breastfeeding mums share clothes they've found that are flattering but still allow easy boob access. I have just picked up some outfits in New Look based on recommendations I saw on there. Also Next apparently do some good control leggings (think they are called Wow leggings), which I am going to buy today hopefully as I essentially live in leggings now with long tops or dresses. Finally, try not to stress too much when out today - if you see stuff just buy it, take it home and try it on there! You can always return (I have done this on all my post-baby shopping trips or ordered online). Good luck!

Dh is going to take the toddler and baby a little drive while I jump in to the shops later.

I'll come back and update!

Thanks katniss great ideas.

I'm not actually on Facebook although that group sounds ideal. Hmmm tempted

Good luck op!

You could try shirt dress with tights and ankle boots plus scarf to drape over.

Jumper dresses or over sized jumpers with jeggings

I definitely wouldn't tuck a shirt in either! It looks like a normal blouse, just tucked in for the first photo. Good luck!

Next do great high waisted stretchy jeans - often called their enhancer jeans. Just look for the ones that offer to help you find your waist! These have been brilliant for me pp and I still love them (da is nearly 2). They aren't as scary as they sound but they just give a bit more support.

I went with skinny jeans (leggings on a bad day), boots and baggy but lovely jumpers. You could pull the jumper up (vest underneath) to breastfeed. Admittedly it didn't make my boobs look smaller, but they were bloody massive, so nothing was going to. And I was comfy.

Good luck!

Matalan do amazing long line stretchy vest tops

Do you have a jojo mama bebe near you? My “uniform” at 3 months post baby was nice jeggings, and one of 6 jmb tops that I wore in rotation. I found 2 styles that suited me and bought all the colours!

I would try to buy maternity tights if you can find them as they are so comfy over the stomach and it's still early days after the baby. It takes about a year to be honest to get back to feeling you are 'yourself' as such (at least I found that).
I found leggings, a nice feminine shirt like the one in the photo and a cardigan quite versatile. If you find a nice cardigan shape, buy it in two different colours. But try not to go all black!

High waisted skinny jeans/jeggings with nice boots. Oversized slouchy jumpers, longline vests with button up blouse over the top. For me, the key was the high waisted jeans, once my tummy felt better controlled and I didn’t have a massive muffin too everything else fit much better. Oh and make sure your bras actually fit!

I’d go to next (not usually a huge fan but the range is big and the assistants are usually v helpful). I’d grab an assistant and get jeans sorted first, they have some really good options. Then you’ve can scout round for other stuff.

Any chance your husband could come with you and sit in a cafe with baby so that you’re not so time limited?