Help - need some fashion advice? What should I wear and where do I go shopping?

Hi All,

HELP!! I am in desperate need of some fashion advice.

I have a wedding to go to next month and need to buy a new dress - well, I actually need anything new!! It is a lunchtime wedding and reception. I haven't bought anything "nice" for a very long time - well, as a SAHM with 2 toddlers, it is easier to go to Target and buy off the rack - plus I wear comfy pants and tracky dacks most of the time - yep, I am bit of a dag but hey, these accomodate my mumsy figure!! plus, who needs to wear anything else when it is only going to get slimed on by sticky fingers!!

My favourite labels before kids were Review, Jigsaw and Veronika Maine. Unfortunately before kids, I also had a petite size 8 figure and while I have some classic dresses in the wardrobe which will be most suitable - I can't fit into them:(. HELP!

I am now quite a nice normal size 12, but as you will understand, a little stretched and floppy around the middle. I am scared to go looking at my previous favourite labels, because my perfect 34, 26, 36 figure just doesn't exist anymore and I am sure that my ex-favourite labels just won't accomodate the thicker middle!!!

Where do I find dresses suitable for a wedding, which will look good on a mumsy figure and not cling where I don't want anything to cling?

I have seen some dresses in Dianna Ferrari which would be perfect, but again, I didn't want to try them on, for fear that nothing would fit and from the look of them, I don't think they would have fitted - because I would just get depressed!!!:( Yep, I need help!

The tunic dress look is perfect for hiding the mumsy figure but as I am also short - it looks like a potato sack on me! Isn't ironic how sacks only look good on the tall and skinny?

Last time I tried on something at Country Road, it was a horrible experience because what fitted around the middle, didn't fit anywhere else! :cry:

Can you help? Sorry, this is a bit long but again, I can only emphasise that I am in desperate need of help. HELP!!!

Hi Gidget
You have some fun in front of you - as yu deserve to pamper yourself and buy something new and glamorous! I think you will find that being a size 12 you will still have a lot of options - just play up the bits you do like...
I am also worried about this after I give birth though so I hear your worries!

Allanah Hill would be a good place to start, she is one of my favourote designers and I went to her for bmaid dresses when I got married as all my bmaids had v diff bodies (ranging from model thin and no boobs to a size 14). all of the girls were happy there and the sales assistants are always extremely helpful. She also does lots that is 2 pieces but v glam so you can play up and down bits - dresses are often harder for people who are self conscious or where proportions have chgd (i have also bought stuff from her since being preg for weddings for this reason).
As Veronika Maine is already a fave that could also work well as her stuff is so structured that it will define you well if you pick the right outfit.

I say go treat yourself, push the boundaries a little and try things on that you are not sure of and you will find something lovely, buy some killer heels too that will lenghten you and make you feel glam. and maybe go to a makeup place and have a makeover - you will be a million dollars as you deserve!

ps underwear may also do all the trick, something smoothing underneath (a slip for example) will iron out any lumps and bumps and make any dress look better. Or Nancy Gantz stuff if you wanna suck it all in!

I would venture in and try the Dianna Ferrari dresses. I am a Size 14 and quite large in the chest area and I have a couple of her dresses that accomodate me very well!! I believe she does up to Size 16 so as a 12 you should have no trouble. Have a look at Review if it was a fav of yours, they can also be accomodating!! :)

Corsets and basques. If your tum is just a bit flabby, like mine, but can be pulled in, then grab some close-fitting lingerie and you can wear what you like.

Anything that's fitted at the chest then loose around the middle works too - can't suggest lines as I'm not in Australia but look at jersey material empire line stuff, that's really flattering. Get tops to come down to below your hips and wear jeans - if you can't see the crotch then your legs look longer.

Heels work to make legs longer too, but remember chunky heels for chunky ankles, slim heels for slim ankles.

I agree with Ryn, good undergarments will work wonders.
Go to DJs or Myer and get fitted properly - don't be shy of the old biddies they are wonderful. And they don't lie :)

You should have no problems walking into any of the stores you mentioned and looking great in a size 12.

Empire or A-line would be great, and I've seen shorter version on the tunics - more like tunic tops and Jacquie E (if its not too daggy)...how formal is the wedding?

Tummy tightetning knickers !! That would be the first thing i would invest in. ALong with a good fitted bra. Those tummy tuckers (and corsets etc) really do keep all those wobbly bits in place.
August is still a chilly month. So choose something that covers your arms. But show off those legs. Something knee length, great heels.
Where abouts do you live?

I'd suggest you take someone with you when you go shopping and get them to pick a few outfits out for you. This is what I did after I had several unsuccessful and depressing shopping trips for a wedding earlier this year. My mum helped me and found a two piece outfit that showed off my best assets (boobs) and hid my worst (tummy).

You absolutely have to start trying things on and don't give up until you find something that looks great. If I can do it when I'm size 14-16 on the bottom half & size 16-18 on the top half I reckon you can easily do it at a size 12. Things can look completely different hanging on the rack so just grab colours and fabrics you like and just try them on. Good luck.

Wow, thanks ladies, some great advice. :D

Undies might be the answer - I need some big Bridget Jones tummy-tucking-in mummy- panties. No wonder my mother laments the death of the girdle for my generation - hers wore them all the time after baby!!!!! It is probably the ultimate fashion trick!!!

Pregpan - Agree, Allannah Hill has some great stuff. I have never bought anything there but worth a look. I hadn't thought of dresses being harder when self-conscious but I think you are right. Definitely harder to buy off the rack when proportions have changed. I used to find dresses hid more of the bits I don't like because I am short and I think one piece in one colour looks better. Then again a girdle might just do the trick. Yep, need a makeover. Haven't had my makeup done since my own wedding - and well, that was last century! This is going to be fun!:D

lil-chookie - yep, I should get the courage to try on the Dianna Ferrari dresses, because they had some really nice stuff. Maybe with mummy-tummy-tucking-in pants they might fit. I am a bit small busted, so some of the cross over stuff and v-necklines don't work for me, because well, there is not much there to make it look good!!! Maybe a push-up bra would help.

Geez - I am going to be tucked in and pushed out in all sorts of places!!!

Ryn - I love the empire line! Thanks for the advice on the heals! It is chunky for me. I hadn't realised that was the reason the slim heals didn't work for me!!! Yep, need a corset!

Rayray - agree the old biddies in Myer do know what they are talking about. I need to go at a non-busy time because when they are busy it is useless getting help! Yep. love empire line and A-line - any ideas where to find some nice ones! The wedding is not too formal being at lunchtime. A nice dress that can be worn anytime of day, to restaurants etc will do the trick!

mbear - I am in Melbourne, so still a bit chilly. The tight tummy-tucking-in undies will add extra warmth! Yep- knee length - there is a lot of that around! I prefer just under the knee because I hate my knees and my legs - a little chunky like the heals but probably not really that bad!!!

Geez - why can't we have bodies where we like all the bits!

Satya - yep- I need to someone to come shopping with me. Grandma will go shopping anytime to spend time with her grandkids and mind them too but she is not the greatest asset when it comes to fashion advice. I wish I had assets like you, but my big bits are those which I sit on! I am more a size 10 on top and a 12 on the bottom! Wrong way around! :(

Another mum from my mother's group also needs to go shopping for a dress for a wedding - her is more formal - may be a joint trip with all the kids to Chadstone is the go - I'll mind hers while she tries things on and she can mind mine - geez - that will be exhausting!!!!!! Nup - I think I will go on the weekend when DH can stay home with the kids!

Keep the ideas coming and I will let you know how I go!

With a winter wedding, maybe boots could work if you found a dress the right length, and opaque or wool tights, or leggings/pencil pants?

If you're in Melbourne, depending on your taste, Chadstone, Chapel St, or Bridge Road?

Thanks RayRay, love the boot look, great for winter - I used to wear the long boots with skirts. I tried my long boots on today - and well, the size 12 legs don't fit into the boots that went with the former size 8 self :( feel a bit sad! Plus I think my foot has stretched a bit postpartum - they feel really funny, the arch seems to be in a different spot! Oh well, do need some new shoes!

I think a trip to Chaddie is on the cards. Haven't been clothes shopping in Chapel St and Bridge Rd since before kids.

A lot of flowing dress/tops are really starting to appear in the shops (I actually think they are quite maternity topish!!) and I have just come back from Europe and they were all the go over there. Something like that would cover the tummy well!! :)

Thanks lil_chookie. What do they were the tunic tops with over there? Tights?

Yep, the maternity look is good for covering the tummy. I am just wary that the extended family at the wedding - yep - it is a family wedding :( [not a friend's wedding - with which our families are always more fun!!) it may cause a few whispers. Yes, we are TTC but we are NOT telling anyone else and as far as the family is concerned, our family is complete!

Then on the other hand - it might be kinda fun to leave them guessing - let the old biddies whisper - I don't see them much anyway, give them something to gossip about - AND YEAH - it is fashionable and funky.

Am getting really keen to brave Chaddie this weekend!!!

Wearing the right underwear can work work wonders. I'd go with an upmarket vintage store as you've got more of a chance of finding something unique. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Thanks Kim. Will do.

Pants, tights, jeans, leggings.......what ever takes your fancy!! I saw some gorgeous tops, especially in Paris. Enjoy your shopping adventure!!

Hi Ladies,

You were right. Absolutely no problem trying something to fit the postpartum figure - well, certain cuts and styles didn't suit but that is no different to the situation before kids.

It just feels strange shopping for myself after so long when I have avoided it (plus I was waiting for the post-baby weight to shed a bit!) I'd rather go and buy something for the kids or DH - it is so much easier shopping for them!

Well, what did I buy I hear you ask?

I went for the silk Kimono dress from Review - its A-line, Empire-line, so no emphasis on the tummy! :)

Now I have to decide whether to wear the long boots with opaque tights or go for the footless legging and shoe look. ;) I think I will let the weather decide that one!
Cold = Tights and Boots.
Sunny = Leggings and shoes.

Plus the tights/legging tuck the tummy in too!! Bonus!

Thanks for all your help.
GIDGET

Hi Gidget, sounds like you found a winner that's fantastic!

I have a few kimono tops and always recieve compliments so I'm sure you will too, enjoy your day :)

Thanks Kim :D