I've decided to fabulize the flab rather than fight it.

[Kif]

I've decided to dress the figure I've got, rather than forlornly wait for my waist to reappear post Ds2. Had anyone got any tips?

What I'd really like to have is 'a look'. Making at least a bit of a fashion statement is more important to me than looking 'pretty'.

I'm toying with the idea of a maxi dress; or going really vamp with bright red lipstick. Lots of vintage shops near me, but I find vintage clothes are quite small. Kirstie Alsopp type of look is quite fun - but would require a corset, since I'm potbellied.

Do you know what shape you are? Apple, pear, hour glass etc - once you know your basic shape, its easier to dress according to that. I think littlewoods direct actually has a shape section as the have a Trinny and Suzannah advice section there so...

yes v important to work out what is good and what is less flattering. also getting colours done is very helpful.

oh the trinny & susannah bit is good for diagnosis, but the clothes on there have been added later by littlewoods and are not at all nice for anyone, let alone follow the t&s plan.

That's quite a funky little application! Just done it - and it told me I was a cello, so should wear:

• wide v necklines
• paneled pleated skirts
• strong colours/patterns on top
• deep waisted halterneck dress
• well cut wide leg trousers
• chunky shoes

I might hunt for trousers, from that list.

Oooh I've never heard of a cello shape...

Thats good!! I came up as a cello too but I think i'm actually more hour glass....or am I in denial?? ha ha!!

hope that's helped a bit>

Apparently it's like Oprah Winfrey and Serena Williams.

I've a sneaky suspicion it;s a euphemism for 'fat all over' - ha ha.

So who'd do a good well cut wide trouser? It'd have to be damn well cut to make my 'overhang' look presentable!

I am a cello as well.

What size are you?

Ooops - X post - I'm sure your 'cello' is not 'fat all over' .

I'm a cello too!

Until 2 months ago I was size 12. Y'know how you buy maternity clothes for your 'pre-preganancy size' so you're cosseted from the realisation of your expanding shape until your first post-baby clothes shop?

Don't really know now.

Tried on some jeans in ASDA today. 14s and 16s both fastened - though the 14 looked a bit 'sausage machine' - iykwim.

I find ASDA sizes generous, though, compared to somewhere like French Connection. In particular, Asda seems to always cut for the larger belly. No kidding - I still look six months pregnant some days.

which is a long winded way of saying I'm a 14/16 in a sympathetic shop (like M&S) - and I probably shouldn't even bother trying on in a 'fashion' shop like TopShop .

You need to set aside a day for shopping if you can and try on lots of different trousers to find what suits you. I was a devotee of Oasis pre preg but now with surplus weight (2.5st! ) I can't wear them anymore. I've got the Atmosphere range from M&S at the mo and they are very good - skim over my baby pouch and boot cut so flattering for me as I'm short as well...be prepared to try on lots of different ones in different shops - but worth it when you find 'the' pair!

I'll go tomorrow!

Do you mean Autograph at m&s? these look good

www.marksandspencer.com/gp/product/B001C6ERKK/ref=sc_fe_c_0_83682031/026-0433420-6701241?ie=UTF8&m=A 2BO0OYVBKIQJM&n=83682031&mnSBrand=core

I'm up too late - yes that is what I meant! ha ha!! They do a nice range - I have the basic black bootcut for work but love the ones you picked too!! Make sure you try a good few on - different styles as well and take two of each size into the changing room to save you trekking back and forth - good luck and let me know how you get on! I do love this sort of thing!

Also up much too late - excited about prospective new clothes.

What do you think of this?

www.stylefinder.com/items/?id=105114

or

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_17629_641010_-1

it's on the list - 'deep waist halterneck'... do you think i could get away with it for daywear?

The yellow one you could, but not the black imo

I got these www.marksandspencer.com/gp/product/B0015KONLG/sr=1-9/qid=1219007666/ref=sr_1_9/026-0433420-6701241?i e=UTF8&node=53326031&m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&keywords=&mnSBrand=core&size=9&rh=&page=

plus some v neck black t's.

Happy with them!

should specify I got them in navy - which looks much cooler!

Oooh! V happy my M&S suggestion was fruitful....

Yes - thanks for advice.

Then I went on to buy Tshirts from Atmosphere range aka Primark - so clearly I was even subliminally influenced by your typo

dresses didn't work at all unfortunately. All had rather unfortunate overtones of maternity dresses, with their over accommodating drape

Oooh my pj's are atmosphere! That must have been where I got them from! Bought them from Primark over 2yrs ago for DS's birth as thought if they get manky it won't matter as cheap. They escaped unscathed and have held their shape better than my more expensive ones! Go figure!

I mean that must have been where I got the word from....