Find me a dress for my post baby figure

[Tootytata]

Hello everyone

So following on from my disastrous dress purchase from an online site, I'm hoping to enlist your help with finding me the perfect dress for a family wedding. As I said in my previous post, I had a baby 10 months ago and I'm struggling with body confidence. My shape appears to have completely changed and I have no idea what suits me.

I've posted a photo of me in the Chinese website dress and a photo of me in a summer dress I actually like so my figure is a bit clearer.

What I would like / some info:

• some sort of sleeves (cap, short or 3/4 are fine) so I don't have to hide my arms wearing a bolero or shrug
• something that hides my middle section so maybe empire line dress is best?
• I love the colour purple but I'm willing to try different colours
• love floaty chiffon dresses but not sure if they're too bridesmaidsey (?) for a wedding (I'm not a bridesmaid)
• needs to come in a size 18 (keep thinking that I'm a 16 but the reality is that size 18 fits me better)
• I don't really like animal prints
• I like floral prints but nothing too wacky
• I'm 5ft 8

I have a personal shopper appointment with John Lewis and Debenhams in a few weeks but maybe you can find me some suitable options if these appointments fail!

So super stylish people, can you suggest a dress for me?

The first one is a really pretty dress.

I love the Billie and Blossom dresses from Dorothy Perkins. They do lots of chiffon ones in a great length and fit really nicely. Very reasonable too!

www.dorothyperkins.com/search/?currentPage=4&q=Billie+and+blossom

I like the first one on you, it looks much nicer than it does on the website photo, the skirt hangs really well.

First one is awful, second one you look lovely with a nice figure, but not weddingy enough.

Asos have a great range -

www.asos.com/prd/12252008?acquisitionsource=pasteboard this would be cute! 😀

www.asos.com/prd/12688528?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

www.asos.com/prd/12578545?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

Roothyb - thanks for your suggestions I like the style of the first dress but not sure if red is too bold to wear to a wedding?

simplekindoflife - I like the Billie & Blossom dresses too! The one in the second photo is B&B. Not sure if they're dressy enough for a wedding though?

I really like the Billie and Blossom dresses too. It’s not a brand I was familiar with but I have a wedding to go to this week and my baby’s 12 weeks old and I joined the Can I Breastfeed in it Facebook group to get some help. I’ve ended up with this which looks far nicer in the flesh than on the model. It’s a useful group even if you’re not breastfeeding as many of the women are struggling with similar body issues. I’m lucky I suppose that I have ‘my body back’ as it was a wreck to begin with after 4 dc but I well remember the shock after my first and tbh I’ve never been the same and never will be. You’ll learn to be at peace with your figure, which fwiw looks lovely, especially in that second dress.

www.asos.com/asos-curve/asos-design-curve-exclusive-pleated-slinky-kimono-midi-dress/prd/12598561?clr=prune&colourWayId=16425067&SearchQuery=dresses

Awkwardasallgetout - thank you that dress is lovely. I'll try it when I'm next at DP! Getting to know your body again post baby is challenging. I don't know what looks good on me anymore.

I actually think this is really lovely too..
www.very.co.uk/girls-on-film-curve-ditsy-floral-plisse-knot-front-detail-midi-dress-greennbsp/1600351079.prd

I think you look cracking in the Billie and Blossom dress. I'd go for that shape.

Thus is pricey but a similar colour to the first one you posted. I'll have another look for something cheaper.

lux-fix.com/shop/kristen-platinum-tea-rose-dress-by-nancy-mac?gclid=CjwKCAjwsIbpBRBNEiwAZF8-zyLiq1vGHUSTj1V1vevJOH0cyGKnJZwv5aT1sOlHffx2awpnDX87-RoCZiMQAvD_BwE

Got to get the kids to school now. I'm not sure about the print for a wedding but they have other plain colours and it's a good shape. I'm so sure we can find you an ace dress!

www.theprettydresscompany.com/shop-c1/dresses-c2/the-pretty-dress-company-hourglass-hawaiian-georgette-swing-dress-p316#attribute%5B1%5D=36

The second dress is lovely and your figure looks great in it. What size is it? You really don't look like a size 18 in the photo.

The first dress is awful and it really is the dress, not you!

My shape changed a lot after having a baby, too, and I've struggled with clothes shopping. Personally I find that prints work well because attention is drawn to the print and not the wobbly bits! But the cut/style is key. You need something that's fitted where your slimmest bits otherwise everything looks big and you'll look bigger than you are.

I got a lovely dress from Warehouse recently that I wore to a wedding. Phase Eight has some nice things too although it depends how dressy/formal you want to go.

www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-lilah-wrap-dress-lilac/p4127126

Hibbs

www.johnlewis.com/jolie-moi-cap-sleeve-lace-dress-green/p4055062

Dark but good shape

www.johnlewis.com/studio-8-nola-jacquard-dress-magenta/p4067282

Same again

Margaritasbythesea - thank you so much for your suggestions! I love the style of the Hawaiian Swing dress but not sure if the print is right for a wedding. Also, love the cut of the Jolie Moi dress but not a fan of the green colour.

Anotheremma - i hate picking up size 18 in store but yes...if I'm being honest I am a size 18 now I feel like when you're beyond a size 16, mentally you're not "mainstream" anymore. It's like size 16 is the edge of acceptability or something.

I look at other ladies who are size 18 and beyond and think they look amazing. It's probably about confidence and how you carry yourself. I just need to learn to be body confident again. It's hard when I feel like I'm looking at someone else's body in the mirror!

I think we haven't found the one yet but I think you could get something great. Have you tried monsoon? Many awful things but also some really wearable, lovely things

I really don’t think you look size 18. Perhaps because you are tall, you can carry it so so well. 10 months is also still very early. Other than the initial loss in the first few weeks, I didn’t lose the rest of my weight until babies were 1. But I agree - the style of the second dress is really flattering on you so would look for something similar.

I'd say something like the second one and you could even have it tighter on the waist to show off your figure more. You look good, don't fret :-). I'm your shape and size too and also have same age baby, I dont feel great about myself and want to change/lose weight but I'd be happy to look like you!

Margaritasbythesea - I've looked in Monsoon and nothing I like really. Some patterns are too wacky for me!