Help! C Section ‘shelf’ - What to Wear?

[Liketwodeflatedballoons]

After 2 c sections, which thankfully led to healthy babies and quick recoveries, I feel guilty about how much I hate my tummy area. My youngest is nearly 4 months old, and my muscles haven’t yet fully knitted back together, so I know it will improve… but right now, I genuinely don’t feel comfortable in any of my clothing and have no idea what to buy.

I am just shy of 5ft 2inches, large bust (H) and breastfeeding (was a G before so not a huge change). My best feature is my legs. I still have an hourglass shape, but am much more barrel shaped and am now more of a 32-34 back size. After trying on a few outfits today, I seem to be a 12 in some stores (M&S tops, Next tops and bottoms), and a 16 in others (eg River Island, but the shoulders were huge). I used to be a size 8-10 with the occasional size 6, and 30/32G, so this is a huge change for me.

I have been living in boho style maxi dresses over Summer, and tend to like clothing from shops such as Billabong, Fat Face, Nobodies Child, & Other Stories. I’ve spotted a few nice bits in Oliver Bonas.

Budget - Happy to pay up to say £75/£80 for good quality day dresses and trousers, £50/£60 for tops. Up to say £25 for staples such as t-shirts.

Tops need to be suitable for breastfeeding. Luckily I really like wrap style tops and cardigans.

I’m nearly 40, and really struggling with seeing styles from my teens and early 20’s back in the shops, when my body is so very different.

Shoes - minefield. I’m a size 3 and now have super wide feet.

Please help!

Don't buy too much. Buy a few things that you feel good in now. You'll probably have to go to a shop to try them on. Your shape will change so much in a year. I know I felt awful at about that point after the baby, but it did get better and quite rapidly

I find decent knickers help stop any major wobbles! Theres some good ones at Sloggi, then start thinking about what you can wear. Good luck, I feel for you!

I agree with not spending too much at this stage as your shape is likely yo change over the next few months. I found peplum tops a good shape for hiding my tummy. I lived in denim shirts/vest top and stretchy trousers or leggings and nice boots. The shirt/vest top combo I found good for breastfeeding as you can lift the vest top over your boob and undo shirt buttons easily. If really cold layer with chunky cardi.