What to wear for a family photo after major weight loss

[HappySonHappyMum]

First of all please be gentle! I've lost 9 stone in the past 18 months so I have no idea what I should be wearing anymore. I'm still 110kg and 5 foot 7. I really want to look nice for a photo with my daughter on the day but I have no idea what to wear. My weight loss has left me with a big stomach and saggy arms so I need to disguise them. I never wear skirts or dresses - I would feel incredibly odd if I did so would prefer trousers if possible. Am currently a size 20. Any general guidance would be appreciated. Please help.

How about you book a personal shopping appointment at John Lewis if you have one near you or something similar?

@HappySonHappyMum Well done for losing the weight. That’s a terrific achievement.

My view would be a tiered dress or any shape that’s not clingy around your tum. You have a waist coming back but I would not go fitted.

Just meant to say, I would avoid trousers on this occasion unless you can get a tunic to cover your tum. As you know it’s not your best point (ditto here!) so cover it up. I have found these dresses on the M&S web site. Various prices but a good shape for you I think.

There are quite a few people who post online on social media about how to dress for your current shape, all kinds of advice about what kinds of trousers can help balance you out.

How long do you have before the event? Do you have time to go to the shops and do a try on of various styles including trouser shapes that you wouldn’t normally consider?

I’m in a similar situation to you OP, and recently got these trousers. They fit well and are smart enough for when I’m in the office. Description says crinkle but really it’s just a texture that somewhat disguises a big tummy.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/crinkle-elasticated-waist-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60782268?color=BLACK#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r4c2%7Cprodflag_Price-drop

Roman have the Curve range which is cut for larger sizes, although some of their prints are questionable 🤨

https://www.roman.co.uk/curve-spot-print-button-shirt-10143308

Nice wide legged trousers would work in a dark colour. Maybe navy, and a nice top/ shirt?

Have a look at the colours and styles that Judi Prue wears ,she is a size inclusive personal image stylist and wears gorgeous things.

I was just adding a bit more and my post went off. I meant to add well done for losing weight .I hardly ever wear dark tops as I love colours so much. I am the same size as you and get complemented when I wear cotton traders tops.

I took my sister to a personal stylist before a big occasion for her - I'm in Ireland.

It was beyond worth the money. Sis also got a huge discount on the dress as we were with the stylist.

Plenty of department shops do it for free as well. I'd really recommend it.

Also look up 'dress for mid sized woman' some really great videos out there

And well done on the weight loss it's not easy

Well done on your weight loss OP!

I'm usually somewhere between a size 16-18, have previously been a size 20 and I hate my legs at any size (I'm a pear shape), so am ALWAYS a trousers/jeans person, but please, please don't dismiss the idea of wearing a dress. Whenever I've been to a formal occasion I've always found a dress to wear because they can really hide a multitude of sins, they can skim your tummy, hide your legs without making you look bigger and you can cover your arms with a cardigan of some kind, chub rub shorts will help if you have bigger thighs like me.

If you really do want trousers consider a wide leg, which skims down from your tummy, if that is a problem area for you, any other style of trouser will likely make you feel self conscious.

9 stone is phenomenal! You must be really proud of yourself OP!

What about a wide leg jumpsuit, one with a crossover wrap style top? Lots of nice accessories.

Coincidently the next thread is ‘ find me a jumpsuit ‘ 😁

Thanks for all of your replies - I'm not brave enough to go and use a personal shopper but I'm going to go and try some things on and take photos of myself to see how things look. Will look at all of your suggestions so thank you!

Well done on the weight loss. I’d avoid trousers unless you have a longer length top. Look for a shift shape dress or tiered as posted above.

A jump suit hides absolutely nothing. I’ve been there and done that! You need to have no odd shape trying to fit into the fabric. I am all too aware of that! Wide trousers can work with a top that comes over your bum! I quite like tunic tops and look for one in a decent fabric that’s easy to wear. Just make sure anything you choose skims your worst bits!

Well done with your weight loss!

I carry weight in my stomach and for trousers I find a flat front rather than the full elasticated waist are much more flattering. Go for the high waist, tuck your top in and wear a blazer, ideally not too boxy, slightly fitted. If the weather is going to be very warm this might not work and I’d agree with the suggestions of a dress.

Trousers I’ve bought recently but they’re quite heavy. I’m 5ft 6 and had to buy short leg as the regular were far too long.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/twill-wide-leg-trouser/p/clp23063805?color=Navy&intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

I agree with those recommending dresses, OP. But if you try on many different types and still feel drawn to trousers, I have some remarks.

The ones you're wearing in your OP are tight in the wrong place, loose in the wrong place and too long. At your current stage, you'd need trousers with structure. Pleats may seem counter-intuitive, but you need the volume around your tum to be intentional. Look towards fairly high-waisted styles with generous front pleats - and don't be tempted to squeeze into the tightest size; allow the garment to be the shape it was designed to be.

Go for a fabric with some firmness, not thin and floppy, definitely not jersey. Wide/straight legs are fine but you might prefer wide legs that taper towards the ankle, or a barrel style If they're collapsing round your ankles, have them taken up!

The alternative would be jeans with a high elastane content - at least 4%, more is better. If you're lucky enough to find the right ones for you, they could squash you in, and a longish top could disguise any overspill.

Congratulations on your achievements so far! I hope you're already feeling healthier and better about yourself.

Hiw about something vibrant but not fussy that skimmed over your stomach. As you don't want a dress, how about a long line top with plain fitted trousers to show off your weight loss.

I haven't seen these trousers in real life but they have the kind of structure I was talking about - and have great reviews. If necessary, size UP to keep the pleating, and use a belt to adjust to your waist.

www.marksandspencer.com/horseshoe-pleat-front-tapered-trousers/p/clp60775610?color=DARKKHAKI

Well done on your phenomenal weight loss. You need to get to the shops and just try on lots of things. I think you would look great in a dress so don't discount them.

I think that dressing for a family photo or a portrait photo can be a bit different from just dressing for another type of occasion (e.g. a party).

To look good in a photo, I would wear a dark plain outfit (probably all black, or with very dark navy jeans). Use layers, in particular a slightly fitted/shaped blazer which will make all the difference. Dark top, dark trousers, dark blazer, dark shoes. No patterns, no white, no bright colours or shiny fabrics. It sounds very boring but that's kind of the point: it's what makes you look good in a photo. it looks elegant and puts the focus on your face. I say this as a veteran of many family portrait sessions when I was a size 20 (and I learnt from a lot of mistakes!).

But what is your daughter wearing? Is this a photo session, or is it some special occasion where you just happen to be having a photo taken? Both these things may make a difference.

This is kind of what I'm talking about (but with black trousers)

https://www.very.co.uk/the-very-collection-curve-longline-stretch-blazer/1600977895.prd

Wow, congrats OP! That weight loss is amazing.

I agree that trouser with flat pleats look good, maybe a wide leg. Also I think it would look better if you flipped the colour palette of our picture, so dark bottoms with a lighter top.
Length wise mid hip tops are good as they cover the big ɓits but don't swamp you. Also fitted tops with flowy bottoms can look good.

Trying to dress an apron belly is a pita though. I have one too and I'm very aware of it unless I'm in a proper loose dress or top.