Hurrah! I'm going to be a godmother! But I'm size 18/20, breastfeeding, and have nothing to wear.

[frisbyrat]

Can anyone help?

The event: a christening and subsequent lunch in the church hall, in a lovely little Berkshire village.

The parameters:
I'm size 18-20, with flabby upper arms and a severely post-pregnancy stomach (still) .

I'm breastfeeding every 3 hours, quite a fussy baby who's happy to flail about and reveal all at a moment's notice

I'm going to buy a skirt. That won't be the problem. I've already got a lovely, forgiving cream wool tailored jacket. I need to find a smartish top for breastfeeding in.

Long - at least to the elbow - preferably loose sleeves are essential. A cross-over style, where you don't have to pull acres of material up to feed, but can pull to the side, like this would make life easier. I want to wear a very short necklace, so a neckline above the collar bone is no good.
Clingy is oh so bad on me. (see earlier point re: belly). Norks are a good feature, however.

I actually, despite possible clinginess issues, like this, but it's
a) in France
b) too small

I could be tempted to do away with the jacket if something like this came in a big enough size and nice colour - or I could go for a patterned skirt with it, I suppose.

Oh, and did I mention, I have a high complexion and look terrible with red, pink, purple or orange near my face? And I'm not keen on synthetics...

The christening's in 3 weeks, I've been surfing for two days, and I'm starting to panic.

Please help me!

Oops, and I'm 6', so a long top would be best. Loving that French one.

that French one is really nice ! - not much help I'm afraid

is this a possibility? not too clingy over tummy and could pull to one side for feeding:
here

yes, that is classy !

Nice, dusty.

But would it be feed-in-able, do we think? (without shocking the vicar, anyway)

well there may be some juggling of baby and bosom, I agree. Is your jacket quite big, so you could hide inside it?

someone may come along to post a link to those feeding bib poncho things at any minute.

Gah! I hope not. There's shy - and then there's mental.

Anything here?
www.mamaway.co.uk/ShopStyle/rgcj3/ShowGoods.asp?category_id=1&parent_id=0
or here?
www.mummylooksfab.co.uk/short-sleeve

or on this page?
www.babeswithbabies.com/section_details.asp?section=Breastfeeding/tops&section_id=19

would this one do, they have size 16 but since its a wrap this might be ok? www.mummylooksfab.co.uk/Marcela-Maternity-and-Nursing-Top

Some really lovely tops there, Pannacotta. Thank you.
The last one definitely looks possible. I sppose I could send it back if I looked too much of a badly stuffed sausage! Some of the others would leave so much arm exposed that people's eyes would be burning, though, I fear.

A wrap or mock wrap would be good as v easy to poke your norks out. I have some from a European make called "Bianca", bought in Brussels, not sure if you can get it here. The ruching of the fabric also hides jelly belly quite effectively and makes you look slimmer than something baggy.

Anything in Monsoon?

This is lovely too and comes in XL size. The other sites have long sleeve tops too, I just searched under short sleeved as I read what you said about to the elbow and thought under a jacket you might not want full length.
Anyway, here is another....
www.scrummy-mummy.com/maternity-nursing-breastfeeding-olian-p-105.html?osCsid=f213d56922cd2be76984c0 b26783eabf

Thanks, MrsS. Monsoon has some lovely things, but nothing I would do justice too atm!

But Pannacotta, I think you've cracked it!

That looks lush: comfy and able to hide a multitude of sins..

to

Nice isnt it?
Thought it didnt scream
"breastfeeding top" which makes a pleasant change.
Where are you looking for skirts frisbyrat? Monsoon have some lush ones both in sale and not and are great for tall/curvy women.
Gorgeous:
www.monsoon.co.uk/invt/21201324
and also lovely, looks even better in RL (saw it in local Monsoon this week)
www.monsoon.co.uk/invt/21203747

Ooh, I was just going to grab something off the hangers at the supermarket or local Mackay's.

But now you've got me thinking...

Would those look good with the navy top? I like the idea of a patterned skirt, but I've always shied away from colours. And I guess I can't wear my favourite biker-y boots either. Arse. Time to shop.

The second one would look good.
I think patterned skirts are super flattering actually, esp for post baby shape (DS2 only 8 months so I know the feeling ).
Principles is also good for skirts, how about this one?
www.principles.co.uk/fcp/product/-//Black-belted-skirt/6497?

How about something like this
www.everydaymaternity.com/nct-nursing-top-p-122.html

or
www.everydaymaternity.com/nct-nursing-top-p-122.html

with some boots and a jacket??

The Boob Nursing stuff is good...

Or how about this - fake wrap - but could probably still bf without too much fuss and a pashmina

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_17632_517182_-1

Thanks MaryJB. I've been a bit impulsive and already bought this ! Ah, to own a pashmina....

Thank, everyone who offered help and advice. I feel a bit more confident I shall look decent now.

Just seen this www.scrummy-mummy.com/breastfeeding-special-occasion-wedding-christening-party-dress-c-51.html

oops and this www.scrummy-mummy.com/breastfeeding-nursing-winter-sweater-p-123.html