Finding Clothes that look good on ME

DatEpicChick

So last December i had my first little baby girl, and my husband and i were sooo excited, but i had ALOT of complications, and because of those i ended up weighing 199 pounds when i went to the hospital. Then while at the hospital i swelled to 252 pounds, because of water retention from other complications.....

So on
Decemebr 28, 2010 = 199 pounds
January 3, 2011 = 252 pounds

and before i got pregnant in March of 2010 i weighed..... 117 pounds, yeah thats right 117 pounds....

so now i have a mommy body, and i had 2 c-sections because they had to reopen the stitches because i was internally bleeding a few days after the initial one, and i'm not fat, but i HATE my body....

i've basically given up and i live in victoria's secret yoga pants and their sweat pants... like ALWAYS... i just cant find things to wear that look good... but i see these other girls on this website, and they are my weight (150 pounds) and they look AWESOME... but i think it might just be that i have the 'pooch'...

does anyone have any suggestions? like where to shop or whatnot? because it's looking like its going to be a lot of victoria's secret Pink for the next few months until i hit my goal if not... =]

BeautyFromPain

bump

blondishandbookish

Don't know if this is applicable but in the UK, most of the big department stores have personal shoppers for free (Debehems and John Lewis) - might be worth getting a session with one as they might bring out clothes that you wouldn't necessarily pick out to try but actually look good.

Alternative is to do it yourself but this does require gritted teeth and determination to force yourself to try stuff even if you think it won't suit/fit/work. ALso, get your bra properly fitted and decent knickers (not nec spank) as this makes a massive difference.

The other thing is once you figure out which stores have cuts which suit you, then it helps in future. For example, (bearing in mind I live in the UK) Hobbs in the UK do one and only one dress/skirt style which I can wear, I can rarely wear Zara and gap trousers just do not work for me.

MrsDrake678

I really think it's how you are looking at yourself. I know that there are things I put on and I think, YUCK...but then I see women that are heavier than I am in the same thing and I think they look great. It's about confidence (I'm talking to myself here too) We need to get some. I bet you look great you are just used to what you looked like at 117lbs. Also it's about body types. One of my best friends is about the same weight and height as I am just she hasn't had kids yet and I've had 2. She likes long shirts and thinks they make her weight look better (and they do on her)....me I like them to cut at the hip and I feel that looks better on me (which it does). It's diferent strokes for different folks. you will find something. Also maybe get a taylor? Maybe you just need a fit that's just for you.

BrianneArens

I had this problem too! I still have my pooch and I've lost 29 lbs. I want to lose another 7-12 to get back down between 135-140. So I've still got a few months to go. My big problem is I hate spending money when I know in a matter of 2-3 months I won't even be able to fit in the stuff. I'd HIGHLY reccomend going into Gap when you have a 30% off coupon and getting solid pair or two of jeans. They make your legs look super skinny and they aren't so low cut that they highlight your pooch or love handles. Also I love TJ Maxx. I can usually find really cute tops there for a reasonable price. Also, dresses are so in right now with tights or leggings. I'm getting really into them and usually they hide your pooch pretty well. But you gotta go out there and try a lot of stuff before you will find things that you really love. Forever 21 has great tops but their jeans run small and are super low so not the best for bottoms. They have great dresses and skirts too though.

LorinaLynn

Personally, I think this is a dismal season for fashion this winter. Lots of drab colors and over-sized, shapeless tops. I tried on one purple-ish sweater, only to realize that it exactly matched, and emphasized, the color of the dark circles under my eyes!

Try on everything and buck the trends if you need to. Wear what you find flattering on you, whether it's boot cut, flares or skinny jeans. There's lots of different shaped tops... find something that emphasizes what you love about your body, maybe something that shoes cleavage or clavicles or shoulders and de-emphasizes the belly-region. The loose-fitting tops with elastic banding at the bottom might work, but try them on, and try them on in different sizes.

ShrinkRapt451

I'll take a crack at this one. Full disclosure: I'm quite a bit bigger than you are at the moment, but I've always had "back", so to speak, and I have a tummy to camouflage now (more so than before baby #2, I might add). I've also had 2 C-sections.

Okay, here's how you hide a tummy. (I recommend either the UK or US versions of the show "What Not to Wear," by the way, they give great advice).

1. Draw attention elsewhere. Something interesting in the necklace, earrings, neckline, etc. If you have good shoulders and can pull it off, try a halter top.
2. Ruching (vertical gathers, preferably sewn-in) in the abdominal area of a top makes any rolls you have look like part of the top.
3. Baby-doll silhouettes in tops or jackets, snug over the chest and then falling in an A-line to your hips.
4. Do not, EVER, tuck your tops in.
5. Belts can help create a waist you don't have, but this works better when you pair with a top that has some volume around the chest/shoulders and an A-line skirt.
6. Avoid pencil skirts and skinny jeans. Do NOT wear pants with tapered legs. Go for flat-front pants that fall straight from the hips to the floor -- make the volume look intentional. A-line skirts are your friends.
7. Spanx.
8. No knitwear in dresses or pants, unless it's a heavy-duty knit with a lot of structure. With tops, you've gotta try on and see.

And remember, you will always see more flaws than other people do. Be kind to yourself. You worked hard to earn that belly, and you have the beautiful baby girl to show for it.