I've submitted this particular photo because I'm currently ignoring my body from my neck down. I'm sortof like one of those fold-over-drawings, where one person draws the head, folds the paper and passes it on, an other people complete the body parts. My heads fine. Well, my hair's a mess and there's not much I can do about the face, but that aside, my head's fine. The rest of me looks like it was designed by people who misinterpreted what size I should be. I'll explain.
It's been four weeks since I had a baby and since then I've discovered a hole in consumerdom: post-partum clothing. Hear me out. There are countless lines of maternity clothing but there's nothing for that flumpy stage of post-partumness. "Can't you just keep wearing your maternity stuff", you ask, and yes, yes you can, but if you're like me and only purchased an oversized shirt and elasticised jeans, you would sooner burn that stuff than don it one more time. First world problems, I know, but I could do with a few pointers.
See, maternity clothing doesn't do it for me anymore. The pants are too roomy, the shirts now look dowdy (they always looked dowdy). On the other hand, my regular clothes look a bit too tight, and as a jeans-and-t-shirt kind of person I'd rather my clothes proclaimed statements like 'comfortable!' and 'cool!' rather than 'sausage casing' and 'muffin-top'. I still have the weight of a small child to lose before I feel comfortable in my old clothes but I can't really wear a toga in the interim, so I'm wondering: what do I wear? Basically, I want to know what you wear when you're feeling particularly bloated or ugly in order to spruce yourself up and hide the recently acquired love-handles after a tragic run in with the fat content of ten dozen Krispy Kremes. Also, if anyone wants to start a post-partum clothing line with me, I'll be at my desk making up names for the company. So far I've got "Fattire". Needs work, I know.
In short: anyone got any tricks they pull to disguise an oversized tummy?
38 comments:
Dresses! Most of the summery dresses aren't too expensive and look good regardless of weight. So you can buy them a little big. I literally wear a dress everyday! Also this is going totally old school but I love me some gaucho pants.
Leggings and dresses/tunics! Seriously. I am speaking from the experience of feeling less than stellar in my post-pregnancy body. I lived in leggings and tunics for the better part of 3 months. Maxi dresses are great too, especially empire waist. Helps you hide the excess belly, while still feeling presentable to the outside world. Best part is you can get leggings and maxis anywhere, for any price point. You don't want to spend a fortune on that in-between wardrobe.
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After my baby I had to go right back to work so I definitely wanted to conceal the post-baby bulge. I went to Nordstrom and had a consultant help my poor after-baby body. She suggested shirts with some type of elasticized, banded, or drawstring at the bottom that give a roomier effect around your middle and conceal post baby bulge. She also found me a skirt with a foldover stretchy band top (maxi skirt). You could try some cute Kimono type tops (I've seen them sold at Target) that are roomy around the midsection. Also, for your pants you can try a beband (at Target) or a tummy sleeve (at Motherhood Maternity) so you can wear your jeans unzipped -- great for transition. I also invested in some spanx at nordstrom for special occasions when I really wanted to wear some of my pre-baby clothes. Good luck :)
Super comfy dresses. And if it's cool where you are, leggings and dresses or tunics. You can add belts to loose shirts to make the form a little more flattering but still stay comfy until you are back to your regular wardrobe. Since maxis are in style, it should be easy to find some good comfy dress/skirts that you can wear now and wear after you lose the baby weight.
I'm definitely going with: empire waists, floaty tops, A-line skirts, maxis.
when I'm having a "big belly day" I like to wear a floaty top with a cardigan over it, to give a little structure (cardi) but still hiding the dreaded poochy belly (floaty top). or a comfy dress with an empire waist.
try Old Navy and Target for some budget friendly options:
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=77950&vid=1&pid=115938&scid=115938002 (empire waist, pretty fabric will distract and cover lumpy parts in your lower half)
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=77950&vid=1&pid=118108&scid=118108012
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/outfit.do?cid=80267&oid=OUT21412
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=70168&vid=1&pid=114434&scid=114434042
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=61278&vid=1&pid=828118&scid=828118022
http://www.target.com/p/The-Webster-at-Target-Easy-Waist-3-4-Sleeve-Dress-Palm-Print-Navy/-/A-13975711#?lnk=sc_qi_detailimage
http://www.target.com/p/Merona-Womens-Ruffle-Front-Maxi-Dress-Assorted-Colors/-/A-13937107#?lnk=sc_qi_detailimage
http://www.target.com/p/The-Webster-at-Target-Jacquard-Skirt-Mango-Berry/-/A-13976144#?lnk=sc_qi_detailimage
http://www.target.com/p/Mossimo-Supply-Co-Juniors-Maxi-Skirt-Assorted-Colors/-/A-13990943#?lnk=sc_qi_detailimage
congrats on your little one! :)
Rachel at "Cardigan Empire" has a GREAT series on dressing throughout pregnancy and beyond. The one specifically for postpartum is here:
http://www.cardiganempire.com/search/label/Postpartum
pretty sure you are the awesomest 4weeks postpartum momma evah! My babe is almost 6 months and I'm just starting to get a glimpse at remembering what I used to feel/look like. Don't feel bad, you're not the only one. I did just wore old maternity clothes. but like you, my selection was pretty pathetic. a pair of elastic jeans and two maternity shirts (gray, brown) from old navy. I know! It got to the point that I wore holes in my armpits and between my thighs from wearing them every single day. I've always been a jeans and simple tee kind of a girl too, so I splurged. I bought some nice new jeans that fit me then and I felt happy again! They are way too big now, but hey, next baby I'll have some postpartum jeans, because really? Who wants to wear maternity jeans when they aren't pregnant. Not even pregnant women want to wear them. Thanks for your honesty! It gets better :) Good luck!
I've actually done a post on my blog on this specific conundrum. I struggled with the same thing! Here are my tips:
http://seekaylago.blogspot.com/2012/02/fashion-after-baby-part-1.html
kayla @ seekaylago.blogspot.com
Three words: empire waist dresses.
... and tops. Seriously. This time of year, all you'll want to do is wear something floaty that doesn't hug your body, so it works out.
If you wear a floaty/blousy top, be sure to pair it up with fitted pants - leggings will be the comfiest. Just make sure your bum is partially covered - despite what many girls seem to think, leggings are NOT pants.
Also, take a gander around Salvation Army or Goodwill... if you're planning on losing weight, you don't want to spend a ton of money on temporary clothing, so buy some cheap stuff you won't miss too much when you get your figure back!
i'm totally with emily- empire dresses! i got one at wal*mart last week that has cap sleeves and hits just above the knee, so nice for this time of year. actually i got 2- black and a fun brown & purple print. and bonus! they're like $10 each!
I feel you. They should also make maternity clothes like baby clothes: 3-6 months, 6-9 months. I think it's a genius idea. After pregnancy, besides wearing my husbands t-shirts, i wear flowy tops. They are so in style right now that you can wear them when you are weirdly fat and they will still look normal if you are not pregnant.
There have also been times when I have ordered something online and it's a little too big. Instead of returning it I keep it in my post-pregnancy or slightly pregnant stash.
I agree with empire waists and maxi dresses. Also certain store's clothing is cut larger in the tummy area. Loft and Banana Republic give you two to three more inches then say Gap. Also after my babies I loved me some spanks :) I also like to layer with a cardigan or a jacket to cut up a figure and keep the eye moving. And even after you lose the baby lbs the cardigans and jackets still work. I know some people say don't waste money on transistion clothes but if you plan on having several children I say "why not?" a cute outfit = happiness and rainbows
I had both my kids in the summer- maxi dresses and skirts. PERFECT for disguising a tummy. Also, I used those belly bands through out the pregnancy and found that they also helped hold in a little pudge. Seriously, in 6 weeks you body will be closer to normal! Congrats on the new baby!
Does anyone else have a hard time breastfeeding discreetly in a dress, or is it just me?
Man alive, thanks very much!!!!! I'm going to try scouting for a couple of dresses. Although good point, breastfeeding in dresses might be awkward. I'll have to figure that one out. Good advice, you lot. Many thanks.
Oh girl, welcome to mommy-body.. haha I also wasn't those fortunate ones to get rid of the 'baby pouch' like celebs with personal chefs and trainers..
To echo another person, maxi skirts & dresses are your BEST friend. For reals. Also look for cute spring/summer dresses that nip in at the waist (your natural waist) either with skinny belts or elastic ruching. I rarely wear pants now and I'm not the least bit sad. :)
I'd say be careful of empire dresses/shirts if your girls are generous.. Mine are so it just tends to make you look preggo again.. haha
I love the "Be Maternity" camis from Target... they are great for pregnancy and then post pregnancy they hold in all the "extra" :) and are great for nursing too, since they are so stretchy. I have them in every color and swear by them!
haha I LOVED your post! My baby is 7 months old and as much as I hate to admit it...I also still have the weight of a small child to lose. (it doesn't really help that I got pregnant right after the holiday season of 2010 and then had my sweet baby right before the holiday season of 2011...basically means no summer weight loss in between the two...)
Anywho, the only thing that made me feel better was going out and buying a pair of jeans that actually fit. Sure, it was 2 sizes bigger than my pre-pregnancy jeans but they looked a whole heck of a lot better than my maternity jeans and they didn't produce the same muffin top that my pre-pregnancy jeans did. I also had to buy some new shirts that would accommodate the nursing bosoms if you know what I mean...
I didn't spend a lot on these new clothes but the $30-$40 that I did spend made me feel like a million bucks.
I got such great deals on things (like my jeans only cost me $10 at Old Navy) that I am okay with it if I can't wear them anymore after my baby turns one. (that is my new goal...lose the fluffiness before my little one turns one...)
Other than that, I love work out shorts that are made out a nicer material so I can wear them out an not feel totally frumpy. I also wear a lot of v-neck shirts that draw the attention away from my mid-section. I also wear a jacket or a cardigan almost every day. I'm not sure how well that one will go soon seeing as we are in DC for the summer...
Anyway, one other suggestion is getting some dresses that have an empire waist (the same applies for shirts). The little bit of gathering right under your bust will do a lot to camouflage the baby poof but it doesn't make you look pregnant like the shirts that are oversized or have the gathers on the side.
Good luck and know that you aren't alone in this baby weight postpartum adventure!
Give yourself a $50 budget, head to target and buy some clothes that fit you for the in-between stage! You'll feel so much better about yourself, and it'll inspire you to take care of your body! People don't lose weight when they feel frumpy and unmotivated, feel good and you'll be inspired to feel better. Find a couple of great maxi dresses, a couple of easy tees and a pair of jeans, grab some fun and peppy accessories and you'll be ready to face a new you! Congrats on the baby!
I'll be in your position in about two months so I'm gleaning all I can from these comments ;) I'm sure you're looking fantastic but I hope you find some good options to help you feel fantastic too!
Saw these over on House*tweaking, you might like them too https://prettywellcovered.bigcartel.com. Then you can feed with whatever you're wearing.
I use a ponytail band to "expand" my button on jeans(loop around button then through hole in other side then back around button), loosen the belt one notch and wear a baggy tshit(LOOSELY tucked in) and a blazer. I LIVE in a blazer. Hides it all!! And they look great with shorts in this hot and humid Florida weather!
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I have to agree. After I had my daughter all I wore was dresses, thankfully it was the summer and I could work off the baby weight quickly. But dresses were one of my go to items after the baby. I am so glad I came across your blog while looking up information on maternity bras in Mequon since I am on baby number 2! Thanks so much for posting this, hopefully it helped.
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