HELP!! Is this the greatest MN style challenge ever??

[MaryHuff]

Oh stylish women of Mumsnet, I need your help. I am facing a terrifying scenario in 3 weeks.

My gorgeous SIL - 5ft11 and size 6 - is getting married.

I had a baby last month. My normal size 12 figure is a bloated, wobbly size 18

I am going to have to have photos - the ones that last FOREVER & are displayed on peoples' walls - standing next to SIL (good god I could cry).

So please help me find an outfit that I will at least feel good about wearing. To make matters a bit more omplicated, DD feeds constantly so it needs to be something I can breastfeed in easily.

At the moment, my "worst" bits are tummy (had a section), butt/thighs and tops of arms. So nothing drawing attention to the state of those would be great.

In fact, as I write this out, I realise I probably should take the style advice my MIL (mother of bride) gave me for the wedding outfit - she suggested "a flowing, tent-like kaftan to disguise & hide your body"

lol @ your MIL

hopefully the style gurus will be along shortly

How about a wrap top with either a skirt or well fitted trousers. Chunky silver accessories and as "killer as you can manage" heels ??

Spanx type pants are great for helping with dodgy tummy area - but I'm not sure whether they would be too uncomfortable for you this close to your section

you will be gorgeous, womanly, and curvy
a beautiful contrast to your SIL.

agree with dusty! You will be the yummy mummy with an adorable baby to show off.

Kinda puts standing there being thin in a white dress, if you ask me

I agree with trying a wrap dress.....think they're very flattering but would have to be well cut - you don't want it clinging to the tum

Try SimplyBe on-line. I think they have really well designed stuff for the size you are currently.

oops I meant to say it 'Kinda BEATS standing there being thin in a white dress'

is it possible to develop dyslexia at 41

Oh thanks dusty. hHwever, I am more lumpy and bumpy than curvy - like this

TSM - a wrap top is a good idea. the ne you linked to may be too "structured" to feed in easily, but I will look for similar options. Thank you.

I haven't heard of SimplyBe - will check it out. Thanks

excuse crap typing please - am doing it one handed whilst feeding

I would go for a really nice necklace, possibly fabulous hat, and low cut top (at that age of baby you can put a muslin over your shoulder and breastfeed underneath if you are shy). Possibly a jacket and gorgeous bracelet too. Don't think it matters if you go for trousers or skirt but prob wear chunky heels if thin ones might be too tricky to walk in. Remember most photos are mostly of top up and you can hold gorgeous baby on your hip when turning 3/4 to the camera a la Liz Hurley posing. You will look like a happy new yummy mummy which is a picture to treasure.

i had a cs too and wish i'd worn a corset, my neighbour who has had three recommended it - apparently it is common to wrap your stomach post pg anyway in her culture. you can get some nice stretchy plain bands.

top you can pull up and vest underneath to pull down, so something in thickish jersey. my most flattering tops had fixed ruched wrap bit on the front, stretchy and not clingy. nice skirt and pretty shoes.

this with a cardie

Thanks for all your ideas - it's giving me lots of inspiration.

Up until now I'd been hoping to catch swine flu just before the wedding so I could avoid going (awful I know )

mary see the clarks ad to the right? well there is a pair of shoes (silver ash, the wedges) there i tried on yesterday and they were so so comfortable - alas not in my size in brown in shop so i've ordered some. that lavender is a bit odd colour in rl.

I'd go for a wrap dress with nice heels and a pashmina , wrap thingy. If you get a low enough top you can hoik your boob out of the neck hole. Maybe wear a thin vest underneath if it's very low cut.

Will check out Clarks - thanks Fishie.

What do you all think of this dress - in purple

not bad, but seperates might be easier to feed in.

wrap dress, breastfeeding vest under, pull wrap to one side, vest bit up, minimal breast exposure. pashmina for draping over baby if you feel exposed.

those stomach pull in knickers, heels but not with a thin heel - nice wedges maybe.

and make sure you are holding your teeny tiny baby in all photos for posterity.

Do you have proper norks at the moment?

Cos I am a size 18 and I wear Bravissimo dresses - this is the one I'm wearing today here The crossover part means you can pop a boob out fairly easily

with shapewear shorts to hold your sectioned tummy in from M&S - will also be comfortable and stop thigh chafing for the whole day

If your arms aren't wibbly then just wear a pashmina, mine are so I always wear a tiny cardigan.

Even as a fattie I look lovely in the above dress - at no point in my life have I felt like wearing a tent-like kaftan Fitted clothes are always better if you're carrying a little extra weight.

And I would wear that green dress with red wedges, red cardigan and a red bag. With fabby make-up.

Oh, and sorry to say this about somebody you possibly hold dear but fuck your mil and her kaftans.

Ooh, that green dress is lovely laurie. good one.

Breastfeeding vests? Am I missing some vital clothing? I haven't bought anything specific to breastfeed it - I am still wearing my maternity clothes though .

And yes Laurie I have proper norks - they weight about 3kgs each!!

Bravissimo is a great idea. I have some dresses from there that I wore for work in earlier pregnancy, and they disguised my belly well.

Sympathies - mine are a 36J all the time

I'm not usually a fan - but I got one from H&M to wear under a wrap dress when my db got married (dd was 2 weeks). Just a bit less exposing.

I went to a wedding when DD2 was 8 months old, wearing a very fitted dress. When she wanted to feed, we just went off to another room.

The wedding we went to when she was 3 weeks old, I wore a kind of twin set - well matching vest & cardigan. Because the cardigan was undone, & it was all a chunky type of knit, we were pretty much disguised.

Think you'd be better off with top & trousers/skirt. Nice hat, make-up & necklace, big smile & a large glass of wine & enjoy yourself !