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Original poster

Right, 7 months postnatal I am still a state...

29 replies

littlelamb · 13/01/2009 10:16

and next week I am going 'out' for the first time since ds was born. I have nothing| to wear but I don't want to turn down the invitation. It is drinks and cinema with some girl pals. Am currently a size 18 with big boobs and a saggy tum. Don't I sound a stunner?? BF seems to make it impossible for me to lose weight unfortunately, though I am eating very healthily. Long term, I hope to lose all the baby weight by ds's first birthday, which I was able to do after dd when the damage was similar! (am usually about a 12-14 and about 2 stone lighter) but what can I wear in the interim? Don't want to spend loads but want to look half decent.

OP posts:
Lulumama · 13/01/2009 10:18

i am a bit of a porker, and i have found much more flattering jeans are wide leg ones.. just got 3 pairs from simply be, one wide leg and two wide leg and turn up. they are so much more flattering. they were half price in the sale !

also, don;t wear shapeless stuff. i find more fitted things make me look better, i have a small waist and good legs, so i wear the odd dress with thick tights, or fitted cardis/jumpers and always, always accesorise.

and make sure you have clean hair and lipgloss and mascara on!

Penthesileia · 13/01/2009 10:19

Hair: what's yours like? Long? Can you put it up in an interesting style? Give it a conditioning treatment?

I find that, even if I'm not dressed up particularly, if I do something fun with my hair, people say 'oh, you're looking nice'.

Don't don't don't wear baggy clothes which try to hide you away. Dress to flatter your figure.
A-line dresses can be a godsend if you're not happy with your tummy. Or A-line tunics with nice trousers.

Penthesileia · 13/01/2009 10:20

x-post, Lulumama!

Penthesileia · 13/01/2009 10:22

And listen - '18' is meaningless! Are you the same size all over? What's your waist like? Your legs? Your arms? Etc. I bet there are parts of you which you like - so show them off.

I hate sizes which try to force people into one shape.

Original poster
littlelamb · 13/01/2009 10:23

I need a good haircut tbh. Its brown and just past my shoulders atm, but it suits being a bit shorter. Don't want to go short with a fat face though! Which shops should I try? Will have 2 dc with me so don't relish the thought of traipsing round.

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Original poster
littlelamb · 13/01/2009 10:25

Well my waist is vaguely there. I do have good arms- no matter how big I am I have good arms, which I put down to growing up on a farm and spending my youth lugging machinery around! Legs are a disaster, chunky and thanks to 2 pregnancies now decorated with a nice set of stretch marks

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HolidaysQueen · 13/01/2009 10:25

wrap dresses are great for the fuller figure (i should know ).

try and make the most of your bf-enhanced cleavage with v-neck tops and underwired rather than nursing bra. and as the others have said - nothing shapeless or baggy. if you feel a bit self-conscious try wearing a nice cardigan over your top/dress to give you that bit of extra coverage.

M&S have some basic yet nice cardis in lots of colours at the moment, and Monsoon will def have stuff to suit and you may get something cheap in the sale.

a bit of make up, even just abit of mascara and lip gloss, and some nice jangly earrings. and a big smile on your face always does the trick

hope you have a fun night out!

Lizzylou · 13/01/2009 10:26

Spanx!
Get some hold you in Knickers, I agree a wrap dress (will show off your waist) and a little cardigan would look good.

Original poster
littlelamb · 13/01/2009 10:27

Holidaysqueen, I wear underwired nursing bras as I feel sloppy without, but will def go out and treat myself to a normal one

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Original poster
littlelamb · 13/01/2009 10:29

Ooo I just had a mosey on monsoon website, does paste look good, or would it make me look huge do you think?

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Penthesileia · 13/01/2009 10:30

Well, unless you have unusual friendships I very much doubt you are going to see your friends in the buff, so no need for them to see your stretchmarks!

Can you look out for a tunic top which has a tie under the bust? That way you can emphasise your lovely chest and waist, but the material will flow out over your tummy, if you're conscious of it.

Penthesileia · 13/01/2009 10:31

Looks nice!

HolidaysQueen · 13/01/2009 10:50

i tried that dress! it is lovely and i nearly bought it as my boobs looked good, but i felt a little bit pregnant in it because of the gathering above the tummy and my tummy is the thing i am most conscious of. definitely worth trying though.

i ended up buying a brown and cream print wrap dress in the sale instead. also got two lovely tunicky tops in the sale as penthesileia describes.

Original poster
littlelamb · 13/01/2009 10:54

Ooo I am definately off to Monsoon then. Don't want to look pregnant May get somehting in teh sale though. If I did get that dress, do you think it would look awful with black tights? Or should it be bare legs? And what about shoes??

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Lulumama · 13/01/2009 10:57

wrap dresses , yes ! every time i wear mine, people always ask if i have lost weight !!

Marthasmama · 13/01/2009 11:05

Black tights should work as it has black in it. I would stick to black shoes with a small heel. Good bra = essential! Where do you get underwire nursing bras from? I find that my boobs blend into my gut for a lovely 'sack of shit' look.

Original poster
littlelamb · 13/01/2009 11:12

Marthasmama- they are Anita ones and are fabI found them after a couple of months in yucky white cotton granny bras that offered all the support of an elastic band. Expensive, but worth every single penny here

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samsonara · 13/01/2009 11:13

I've only got my post clothes sorted out in the past months. I got a few netted prom skirts and fitted cardigans and brightly coloured scarfs and have got a bit of my individual style back. I've also had reddish highlights put in to my hair and I think it's brighten things up a bit. Accessories always help to perk up anything you already have, hope you find some nice things in the shops.

Marthasmama · 13/01/2009 11:19

Thanks Littlelamb! I will check it out. I am sick of looking worse than when I was pregnant! And yes, I am currently wearing one of those granny bras! M Good luck mmmm....lovely!

SandyChick · 13/01/2009 11:31

what about something like this with maybe thick tights and heels or boots?

This is nice and could be really flattering. Maybe a bit too glam for cinema tho?? maybe layer with a vest underneath and wear with thick black tights and boots?

flattering for the tummy?

??

Love this with thick black tights and heels

Marthasmama · 13/01/2009 14:53

My last post was a bit strange... sorry 'bout that! Alas, my knockers are too big for those bras (J cup). Oh well, maybe I'll just get a lintel put in for support. Good luck with dress hunt!

Original poster
littlelamb · 13/01/2009 17:52

OK I tried on the dress but was really disappointed I got this in the sale for 19 quid. It has a slip underneath thats a bit shiny so the plan is to wear it over a black vest and tights. Boring? Hideous? Too much? Tell me while the tags are still on!

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Lizzylou · 13/01/2009 19:17

I like it, lovely colour

Marthasmama · 13/01/2009 19:22

I LOVE that shade of green. It looks lovely.

HolidaysQueen · 13/01/2009 19:34

it's lovely, and it's my favourite colour too black would be great with it.

hope you have a lovely night out!