Please help dress me. New 40 yo mum wants casual clothes for hourglass figure and tummy overhang!

[GreatPretender1977]

Hello all

40 years old, 3 weeks post partum (c section).

I am size 16. Height 5.3. Big boobs (34HH). Small waist (although tummy is now bigger than usual, with the section overhang) and big bum.

Before pregnancy I have always been hourglass and I still am, albeit larger and with bigger tum.

I need advice on casual (and stylish) clothing. I've been living in pj's and maternity leggings and t shirts for months now and all my old clothes are uncomfortable. I used to love wearing 50s style dresses, maxi dresses in summer, wiggle skirts with tight fitting cowl neck tops. Skinny jeans with knee high boots and tops that tie under the bust so accentuate the waist.

Now I want to find a casual look, something really comfy but stylish and can be worn out of the house. It's so hard to dress casual with an hourglass figure as anything baggy around the waist makes me look really frumpy. I don't know where to start.

Also all the lovely wide legged trousers are a nightmare because they are all too long on me amd get ruined.

I will be starting at the gym in a few weeks so need some sports wear too...any advice on hoodie for big bust that won't make me look like an over inflated balloon?

I need a new pair of trainers...what's acceptable for a 40 year old?? Haven't bought trainers for about 20 years...I used to love classic Adidas and Nike Air.

I have an account on Very so if I can buy off there, even better. I am on a tight budget as...maternity pay. But I would love lots of links to beautiful clothes that will be comfortable and stylish. And make me feel nice about myself. I'm very paranoid about my new apron overhang tummy.

Thank you if you read all that and I look forward to opening lots of links, lots of advice, and hopefully a new wardrobe!

I wouldn't buy too much at 3 weeks pp. I still had weird jelly belly then but it was back to normal but about 2/3months pp and I had my waist back. Your boobs are probably a bit bigger than normal and your hips will shrink too.

Your body will change so much in the next few months, even weeks. You might not even get to wear everything before it doesn't fit!

Definitely white trainers @GreatPretender1977. Perhaps go for more like the Vega look, there's loads of cheaper copies out there, Next, M & S.

I wear the fit flip Rally in plain white which I love, so comfortable, easy to keep clean and not totally flat which don't suit my shape or my lower back! They were £90 but they go with everything.

I was also thinking maybe get some v neck jumpers, looser fit to skim but not baggy, that you can wear with a midi skirt?

@JustWonderingIfYou

I wouldn't buy too much at 3 weeks pp. I still had weird jelly belly then but it was back to normal but about 2/3months pp and I had my waist back. Your boobs are probably a bit bigger than normal and your hips will shrink too.

Your body will change so much in the next few months, even weeks. You might not even get to wear everything before it doesn't fit!

I do hope so. Feels like I'll never get my body shape back. I was unable to breastfeed so boobs are sort of what they were, although feeling a bit more ... saggy...

But yeah you're right.

I still want to wear more comfy clothes though...my wardrobe is full of tighter fitting clothes and smart dresses, because they suit the hourglass better. I've never been able to successfully dress casually without looking frumpy or pregnant...

@Rina66

Definitely white trainers *@GreatPretender1977*. Perhaps go for more like the Vega look, there's loads of cheaper copies out there, Next, M & S.

I wear the fit flip Rally in plain white which I love, so comfortable, easy to keep clean and not totally flat which don't suit my shape or my lower back! They were £90 but they go with everything.

I was also thinking maybe get some v neck jumpers, looser fit to skim but not baggy, that you can wear with a midi skirt?

White trainers noted...is it okay to wear these with say for example a black widelegged jumpsuit?

Where can I find these loose fit v neck jumpers?? I've never owned anything like that.

Also does anyone have any advice on wearing hoodies? Should I wear the ones with elastic around the bottom, or ones that hang loose??

I definitely think white trainers with a black jumpsuit, see the picture below, if that had a stretchy little denim jacket over it (Primark had some great ones, size down, you won't do it up) it would be great.

Jumper is from Gap, that's the fit I think would be good for you, can also be tucked in to an elasticated pleated skirt.

@Rina66

I definitely think white trainers with a black jumpsuit, see the picture below, if that had a stretchy little denim jacket over it (Primark had some great ones, size down, you won't do it up) it would be great.

Jumper is from Gap, that's the fit I think would be good for you, can also be tucked in to an elasticated pleated skirt.

Thank you thank you thank you

Beginning to get an idea of what I need

My figure is basically the same as yours.
I just got these trousers in zara. www.zara.com/uk/en/jogging-trousers-with-pockets-p04877061.html

I was a size M. Super comfy but look better than tracksuit bottoms as they are light denim type fabric. I also got jeans from zara called 'baggy', they have lots of colours.

www.zara.com/uk/en/z1975-baggy-paperbag-jeans-p05862168.html?v1=164163306&v2=2025761&utm_campaign=productShare&utm_medium=web_mobile_sharing&utm_source=red_social_web_mobile

Good as a change from skinny jeans.

For casual I wear lots of shirts or cardigans over vest tops. I have a couple from rails which are amazingly soft and a good shape but quite expensive.

I have a soft long grey cardigan I wear a lot. And some more fitted vintagey ones.

Many shirt dresses.

Shoes, mainly white trainers, or black laced boots which are from air and grace.

For smarter stuff I find Whistles is the absolute best shop for my shape and I'm a 34JJ so even bigger there than you! Collectif is also a good one.

Shirt dresses with skinny jeans underneath. Fasten the shirt dress from collar to waist only and leave the lower half unbuttoned, tie waist belt to show off waist but disguise tummy. This could be worn with any footwear, I am a flats fan, can't do heels any more.

I was going to suggest smart joggers too, again elasticated waist and flattering over thighs. Great with a denim jacket or shacket and your trainers, also look good with a track sole boot.