Help me hide the mum tum

[CovertMumTum]

2 c-sections in less than 2 years has left me with the dreaded mum tum. I'm a couple of pounds (stone) overweight and am working on losing the excess. However, I'm currently living in high waisted leggings and baggy t-shirts as I have no idea how to dress my new body.

I'm going on holiday soon where it will be hot and I'm struggling with what to wear. I'm not a dress/skirt person so was thinking jumpsuits, palazzo pants, etc. But can't find any that disguise my belly. I don't want to drown myself in long, baggy tops.

I'm 38, 5'7 and currently a size 14 on top, 16 on the bottom. Any suggestions welcome.

Well ,this is why people become dress people. Palazzo trousers need a fitted or shortish top, otherwise you will indeed look drowned, but that is not going to flatter a bad case of mum tum. If you have a decent waist above your tum, then it might work, but otherwise a dress will look better ( and be cooler).

I am in a virtually identical situation in terms of the 2x emcs tum issue, similar in age/dress size/height.

Only recently had dc2 so I'm still in stretchy mat jeans but I'd say perhaps become a holiday dress person as per pp? It will open a whole new (cool) world for you- doesn't have to be a floral boho maxi - there are some minimal styles and in a neutral print you might still feel like you.

I need access for BF/expressing so buttons are my friend right now but if FF or combi feeding you have all sorts of neckline options to draw the eye from the abdominal area of woe.

Where do you normally shop? Whose style do you like/follow?

Also just wished to point out that any millennial has imbibed an unhealthy dose of trinny/suzanna body shame brainwashing in our formative fashion years, circa the mid 00s.

The rules appear not to be so rigid about trying to look as slim as humanly possible anymore, and I see gen Zs of all body shapes wearing their current youngster trends and looking and feeling good.

Maybe wear an outfit you like- and embrace your current shape?

Last point being if you have a favourite holiday top pack an identical spare!! If you have a toddler and baby in tow and no washing facilities - I'm covered in sticky tiny handprints before I've even had my first coffee.

Yes to non-clingy dresses and control tights - bring on autumn!

I am now a dress person for this very reason!

Sorry also have to concur that dresses are now your friend!
I have the same issue with lower tum, jumpsuits and trousers etc that need a top tucked in (to not look frumpy and our of style unfortunately) just emphasise the lower tummy. If you can embrace it I would (mine is really severe apron of skin as I've lost numerous stone so I really feel that I can't) or yeah dresses are 100% the most flattering, especially if they pull in at your waist or under your bust (whichever is your smallest part)

Thanks everyone.

I've never followed any kind of fashion trend, always been a jeans, t-shirt and converse kind of girl. I've never spent much money on clothes and shop wherever has a sale on generally - New Look, H&M, Primark, supermarkets.

I do have a decent waist, but am fairly hip-py so the added belly is making me look quite bottom heavy I feel.

Tunic over cycle shorts, the shorts have a bit of a holding in effect

Would you wear deep shirred waist palazzos over a swimming costume or vest top? These are in the sale, I have them, they are lovely trousers...

https://manamou.co.uk/products/linen-palazzo-trousers-black?pos=3&&sid=f6c62e786&ss=r

I don't know if you're on tiktok but I've found a woman on there called Taryn mid size who has really helped me to style my new larger big tummied shape.

Jumping on to say I love your comment about T & S. So very very true. I just realised that I still try to dress to look thin and younger people don't seem to have that ingrained in them.

I'm going to enjoy what I wear and not worry about whether I'm giving the illusion of thinness anymore!

I was thinking about this attitude this week. I'm the same, huge floppy tummy after sections and have spent years dressing to hide it. I'm otherwise quite slim.

I bought a dress this week and it clings a bit too much to my tummy, but I thought that if I was 20 I'd probably not care, as girls seem to be less conscious about lumps and bumps.

I'm going to wear my dress because I like it and try to embrace a younger body confident woman's approach!

Thank you for the links!

Thank you, these look great!

Thanks again everyone. I appreciate that the best thing to do would be to accept and embrace my new body, however, I'm not there yet. I'm not fussy about looking slim, I just don't want to wear things that draw attention to/accentuate my belly. Other people might not mind, but I do. I want to feel good and confident in my clothes. I'll maybe try experimenting with different styles from the likes of Shein to see what suits my shape.

@CovertMumTum I am in the same position (though shorter than you!) and wondering the same. I've tried loads of long dresses but my tummy still looks at least 3m pregnant (baby 6m old!) and I feel very self conscious. I was considering trying some sort of magic knickers to smooth out the silhouette so to speak (any tips as to brands very much welcomed from anyone!!)

Other things I've bought below... sorry pasting on my phone and can't delete some of the random M&S text!

This jumpsuit you definitely don't see the tummy

I have been browsing at M&S and found this: https://www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-modal-jersey-sleeveless-jumpsuit/p/clp22547692?intid=mobileappppdpsharee
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This dress covers up reasonably well - _
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I have been browsing at M&S and found this:_ https://www.marksandspencer.com/printed-v-neck-mini-waisted-dress/p/clp60604526?intid=mobileapppdpp_share

@CovertMumTum also some nice things in hush sale, haven't bought yet but was looking at things like...

www.hush-uk.com/alena-maxi-dress-vibrant-pink/005087-1138.html

www.hush-uk.com/callie-midi-dress-red/008379-1045.html

I bought these for this summers holiday - super cool and light weight and not quite a dress!

www.passenger-clothing.com/collections/jumpsuits-playsuits/products/copetin-jumpsuit-tile-wine

Agreed! This was my uniform at 21 (had no stomach anyway so…!) but definitely worked. Can do a baggy colourful T-shirt over it. Sweaty Betty did or do cycling shorts.