How do I dress my mum tum?

[AgentCooper]

I’m 18 months postpartum and the mum tum ain’t going anywhere. I used to live in jersey tube dresses and skirts and I had an alright figure - not thin but slim enough, with a big bust and small waist, probably because I swam every day. Now it seems like if I wear anything clingy/stretchy, my big tum just sticks out. If I wear jeans/jeggings I get horrendous muffin top, seemingly undiminished by sizing up because my belly is so squashy. If I wear anything loose on top, it just drops down from my fairly big boobs - 34FF and still breastfeeding - and I look like Demis Roussos in a tent. My boobs are bigger than my belly and i’d say i’m an hourglass with a bit of extra glass in the middle.

I’m a 14/16, 5ft 9, 33 years old. I’ve always favoured simple, body hugging shapes like stretchy tube/pencil skirts, dresses, scoop neck/mock neck tops.

I have no idea what to wear, what suits my body as it is now. I caught sight of myself in a loose dress and cardi in a shop yesterday and I just looked awful. Any suggestions would be so welcome.

Oh love, I feel your pain. I'm the same age, size 12-14 and ALL my weight is around my tummy and hips.

I've learnt the key is my waistband and / or the cut of my jeans. I have to wear mid-rise. Low rise is just, well, hideous and high rise just accentuate my fucking fat tummy. The best mid rise jeans I've found are 'Molly' from River Island. They were honestly such a game changer for me, along with Mint Velvet leggings which do the most amazing job of sucking things in.

I wear slightly oversized tops, but avoid the marquee look. I just cannot wear fitted tops any more. And I'm ok with that. I also wear boyfriend fit shirts which don't swamp me but don't cling to the lorry tyre around my middle.

I try and balance things out with a decent trainer, such as Stan Smiths. Nothing dainty on my feet (firstly because I'm not dainty and secondly I'm an apple shape so need that balance).

Hope that helps

Thank you clandestinenetwork A good jeans suggestion is exactly what I need, and i’d never even considered mid-rise! I know what you mean about the high/low rise issue - too low and I’m hanging out all over the place, too high and there’s a horrible overspill up top.

These are great ideas and I bet you look lovely. It’s hard when you basically inherit a body that’s quite different from your old one! Off to look at River Island and Mint Velvet now!

I totally get that. I look back at things I worse nine or so years ago before DC1 and think NOPE And I'm not heavier - just a totally different body shape. It's very annoying. But I'm also trying to give fewer fucks and embrace it a bit more. I bet you look amazing too; be kind to yourself. X

I wore, not worse 🙄

Oh and if you don't get on with the Molly jeans from RI try the Jamie ones by Topshop.

Have you looked at peplum tops. You can get Jersey tshirt ones or pretty floaty ones.

But I'm also trying to give fewer fucks and embrace it a bit more

This is also a v good plan clandestine The Mollys look good, as do the Topshop Jamies. I’ll see if DH might entertain DS for a few hours this weekend so I can go into town. I don’t fancy trying on jeans with DS either wandering about or demanding to be released from the pram!

wiggly I wouldn’t be averse to trying a wee peplum, I haven’t seen any about as yet but definitely another shape to try!

www.asos.com/boohoo-plus/boohoo-plus-exclusive-plus-slinky-wrap-front-peplum-frill-hem-top-in-teal/prd/11097799?clr=teal&SearchQuery=peplum%20top&gridcolumn=4&gridrow=13&gridsize=4&pge=1&pgesize=72&totalstyles=106
something like this?

Yea definitely some good fitting jeans makes all the difference I find The Hallie from NewLook or Jamie from Topshop very flattering with a cami style best that skims over the tummy and team it with an open denim shirt and a wee light scarf

Wrap style tops and dresses are also a Godsend especially the tie side ones

www2.hm.com/en_gb/ladies/shop-by-product/dresses.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrfvj1NrS4QIVq73tCh1ejglOEAAYAiAAEgLSQ_D_BwE&product-type=ladies_dresses&sort=stock&styles=wrapover&image-size=small&image=model&offset=0&page-size=72&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMIrfvj1NrS4QIVq73tCh1ejglOEAAYAiAAEgLSQ_D_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!850!3!336201692284!e!!g!!wrap%20dresses