Please HELP to make my postnatal bod look glam at a garden party

[QueenAravisOfArchenland]

TL;DR version I'm hosting a big garden party and desperately need a dress. I'm an hourglass-shaped shortarse (5'2"), an overall size 10 at the moment, and I gave birth 3 months ago. Mid-30s. I'd like to look a bit fashiony rather than mumsy and in an ideal world the dress would have BF access, but that's negotiable. Help. Budget up to £150, maybe a bit higher for something really special.

For reasons known only to ourselves, DH and I have elected to host a big garden party to celebrate our new house and the arrival of our DC2. I'm 3 months postnatal and desperately need help finding something to wear. I'd really like something that makes as many people as possible think "Wow, she looks great," even if it's mentally followed by "...considering".

I'm about a 10 overall at the moment - still carrying extra weight on my hips and thighs, and rocking 30G/GG breastfeeding boobs. I'm also short - 5'2" - and very much hourglass shaped. I have the idea of floating glamorously about barefoot in some kind of maxi dress, but I do need to wear a bra under it. Breastfeeding access (wrap or camisole top of some kind) would be nice, but DC2's feeds are reasonably efficient and well spaced so I could just hide indoors and unzip. I'm willing to go up to £150 or so and would love something with a bit of design interest rather than blah. I know I could also post this on Can I Breastfeed In It?, but I trust you-all's taste more.

Any ideas?

Have you looked at Bombshell? Their true wrap dresses would be good for breastfeeding. Not floaty but some nice summery colours and prints.

Thanks, have checked out Bombshell. They're a bit top end of budget though and I was hoping for something a bit more... Unusual, in print or design?

Ultimately, I guess I'm willing to sacrifice BF access for a really great dress.

Have you tried ASOS? I had similar requirements for a low-key overseas wedding and ended up with a really pretty yellow floral floaty maxi dress from there. Bright pink mani-pedi, bright pink lipstick and a good blow dry and I felt great.

Have you looked at Anthropologie?
I love this one

And this one

Would you be able to wear a strapless bra? I bought this a couple of weeks ago (just before it was reduced and it otherwise fits your brief: floaty so will hide the baby weight, plus it has buttons all the way up the front so good accessibility for bf. I'm 5'3" and bought the petite version and the length is perfect (would still be fine for you imo). I'll be wearing mine with a wide waist cinching belt as I want more definition but for someone post natal I think it would be very flattering.

Ohhh I like that second Anthropologie maxi, although I would probably have to take a non-petite maxi to get shortened.

No good for bf but this is nice and summery

Also some nice ones on Other Stories. This one is a wrap.

Last two then I’m stopping
Freepeople
Ghost

Thanks Bloomers, really appreciate it.

Right I've got some options now. Here are my ASOS picks (I set the filter to petite just to get it to a manageable number). Any thoughts?

Green - m.asos.com/paper-dolls-petite/paper-dolls-petite-high-neck-lace-dress-with-peplum-hem/prd/9021649?clr=sage&SearchQuery=petite%20wedding%20guest%20dresses&gridcolumn=1&gridrow=8&gridsize=2&pge=1&pgesize=72&totalstyles=212

Floral - m.asos.com/little-mistress-petite/little-mistress-petite-high-neck-full-bloom-floral-maxi-dress/prd/9226827?clr=multi&SearchQuery=petite%20wedding%20guest%20dresses&gridcolumn=2&gridrow=9&gridsize=2&pge=1&pgesize=72&totalstyles=212

Oh and I do have a good strapless from Ewa Michalak but I think I may be busting out of it right now...

Or possibly something like this as a midi option I could feed in? m.asos.com/asos-petite/asos-petite-lace-cami-midi-prom-dress/prd/8748521?clr=brightgreen&SearchQuery=petite%20wedding%20guest%20dresses&gridcolumn=2&gridrow=6&gridsize=2&pge=2&pgesize=72&totalstyles=211

this is gorgeous would look great with some bright wedges...

My favourite is the floral Little Mistress one, but the green ASOS lace one is nice too.

I wouldn't go for the first one though - it's probably a bit unforgiving if you're trying to hide baby weight.

I like the pink one. I think the first green one is a bit formal unless you’re having a v posh garden party.

I really like some of the free people stuff, if you could wear a strapless bra, this would be divine!

I’ve tried this on and it’s really really lovely on, looks very chic but not like you tried too hard. Would look amazing with some metallic sandals with a block heel to give it a more formal look. It would be great with wedges or flats too.

Ha, no, it is not a vair posh party by any means although a horrifying number of people are coming. It all seemed like a good idea two and a half months ago. I think I must've still been high on the birth hormones.

I did think the Paperdolls dress might be a bit too "evening". And sadly I really don't think I could get away with backless - the boobs are large and in charge and the strapless is correspondingly sturdy.

Think it's time for my usual strategy - order several and send back everything but the one I hate the least.

The jumsuot would allow for some good underwear and you’ll be able to feed with not too much fuss.

ThT with some hot pink tassel earrings would look so nice.

Upshot: so, I ordered the Anthropologie maxi and the ASOS Little Mistress maxi and lace prom dress to try. But I also really liked the idea of a jumpsuit with hot pink tassel earrings. I ended up being able to pour myself into a navy wrap jumpsuit I already owned from Closet and paired it with the said earrings from ASOS. Bf-friendly and I received numerous compliments

Thanks all!

That sounds gorgeous! Well done. X

Sounds great and money-saving!
Hope the party went really well.