HELP - I Can't Dress my Bigger Body

[Rockette]

I remember just 3 years ago when I was a size 3/4 and even 5/6 and it was soo easy to dress and look cute. It just seems everything looks good on a small body with a flat belly. Now that I am a size 9/10 after having kids..I just don't know how to dress anymore especially with a big belly and even bigger boobs . It's like nothing looks good or fits right.

I going to work on getting back down to a size six but that might be a year or so away from now. Help I really feel lost and I want to look fly again. When I go out, I feel inadequate body and clothes wise. I'm thinking I might have to hire me a fashion stylist to help me out while I'm this big.

[SqrpioQutie]

my question is this: are you trying to dress in young trends or fashion savvy young adult or fashion forward working woman or what??... or are you just talking in general?

i think that as your size changes, so should your shopping venues... when i started putting on weight, i switched from the 5-7-9s and junior departments of the world and started shopping in the "grownup" section and stores (like New York and Co., etc.)...

HTH

[Rockette]

my question is this: are you trying to dress in young trends or fashion savvy young adult or fashion forward working woman or what??... or are you just talking in general?

i think that as your size changes, so should your shopping venues... when i started putting on weight, i switched from the 5-7-9s and junior departments of the world and started shopping in the "grownup" section and stores (like New York and Co., etc.)...

HTH
I guess I want to be fashion savvy young adult. I just want to look good. I have to admit I really didn't have much fashion sense when I was smaller but it was still easy to look good in whatever I put on cause I had a nice figure so now that I'm bigger, I'm totally clueless:sad:

BTW...thanks for responding.

[Suerte]

Heh. Try going from a size 4 to a size 24 in under 2 years.

Now that it is fall/winter.. a lot of magazines are having those "Best Style for Your Shape" editions.

Lucky, CosmoGirl, Glamour, and many other youngish magazines have some good ideas.

About.com fashion has good ideas.

Honestly...your size is kinda the perfect size to dress. A good ol' MEDIUM. You can do a lot.

Boobies and booty are great accessories.

[caramelcutieinva]

I am 10-12 with a belly , and thick hips and thighs. I just learned to work with the body that I have. Basically you have to highlight you assets and hide your flaws. Every trend is not for me, and even those I try I usually take an understated approach. I usually shop chain stores and the mall for classic pieces only (dress pants, dress shirt, chino's, jeans) and shop boutiques for unique pieces. I also find lots of accessories at arts shows, vintage stores, and thrift shops.

[Suerte]

I am 10-12 with a belly , and thick hips and thighs.



At least you acknowledge the belly. I've seen a lot of women in that 10-12 range with very solid, curvy bodies... all except the belly. And that belly throws it all off if they don't dress accordingly. Throws it off bad :nono:

[caramelcutieinva]

At least you acknowledge the belly. I've seen a lot of women in that 10-12 range with very solid, curvy bodies... all except the belly. And that belly throws it all off if they don't dress accordingly. Throws it off bad :nono:

lol .... I know exactly what you mean. I keep my Spanx Nearby. :lachen:

Our company just hosted a black tie event on Friday and i saw a bunch of women with gowns that were unflattering. The gowns were pretty but they drew your eyes to their belly.

[Rockette]

I guess I can do better in my current size if I didn't have the big boobs and belly. But it's like you can't wear the cute fitting shirts, or can't tuck your shirts in your pants or skirt cause the belly is sticking out. Can't wear shapely dresses cause they are sticking out. Some times I feel like I am wearing a big bag just trying to hide the not so attractive parts.

I guess the other poster was right. It's like I'm trying to dress the body of yester- years instead of adjusting my style to my current body but I just don't know how to do that and still look cute. :ohwell:

[good2uuuu]

Spanx, baby, Spanx! These are a life saver! Since I gained 30 lbs during my transition, these have really made a huge difference. And check out What Not to Wear. I get a lot of great tips from them. Good luck!

[Suerte]

I guess I can do better in my current size if I didn't have the big boobs and belly. But it's like you can't wear the cute fitting shirts, or can't tuck your shirts in your pants or skirt cause the belly is sticking out. Can't wear shapely dresses cause they are sticking out. Some times I feel like I am wearing a big bag just trying to hide the not so attractive parts.

I guess the other poster was right. It's like I'm trying to dress the body of yester- years instead of adjusting my style to my current body but I just don't know how to do that and still look cute. :ohwell:

While all of this is true... there are things like Empire waist dresses and A line tunics and things that are fitted in the bust and arms but flow over the tummy (think babydoll shirts/dresses that are really trendy right now) and wrap dresses/tops that visually whittle the waist yet have flow so the bulge/jiggle isn't noticed. You have a lot of style options because technically you are still on the small side of the world.

PLEASE... whatever you do... don't turn into one of those women who wears the pinstriped pants and jacket in the 60% polyester/25% rayon/5% spandex blend from Rainbow or Dots or BP at Nordstroms with the button down shirt and the belt that is pulling at the beltloops of their pants in the high heeled boots or the trendy new shoes from Target.

You ALL know you've seen them. Normally working at call centers, guest services, behind the desk, the receptionist and the administrative assistants. They have cute hair, cute makeup, and look like they tried...but they still look swole from the back and like they just had a baby 3 days ago from the front.

Don't turn into one of those.

[shakira74]

The title of this thread is exactly how I've been feeling lately. There are a lot of good suggestions in here!

[Cleanheart25]

I would suggest you start with a couple of well fitting pants and jeans-don't go by size-go by what fits. Designers use different fit models and every size 9 is cut differently. Just because you might need one or two sizes up doesn't mean your bigger it just means the industry can't cut the same thing for every body type. Junior departments aren't cut for a woman's body...And consider tops and jackets as assessories-fitted jackets-in your size or one size up, tunic length tops and sweaters and layering princess cut blouse/shirt with a camisole/tank. Even if you don't feel your normal size your still a smaller size. I hope that was helpful.

[Sly]

I remember just 3 years ago when I was a size 3/4 and even 5/6 and it was soo easy to dress and look cute. It just seems everything looks good on a small body with a flat belly. Now that I am a size 9/10 after having kids..I just don't know how to dress anymore especially with a big belly and even bigger boobs . It's like nothing looks good or fits right.

I going to work on getting back down to a size six but that might be a year or so away from now. Help I really feel lost and I want to look fly again. When I go out, I feel inadequate body and clothes wise. I'm thinking I might have to hire me a fashion stylist to help me out while I'm this big.

Try this book first. Science of Sexy.
http://www.amazon.com/Science-Sexy-Unique-Figure-Shapeand/dp/1592403360/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205183193&sr=8-1

Don't let the title throw you--it will tell you what a stylist would suggest: 1) only wear garments that flatter your shape 2) invest in good undergarments--life, suck, tuck 3) find what works and wear only that (style, length, color, etc)

Worth a try :yep:

[princesslocks]

Try this book first. Science of Sexy.
http://www.amazon.com/Science-Sexy-Unique-Figure-Shapeand/dp/1592403360/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205183193&sr=8-1

Don't let the title throw you--it will tell you what a stylist would suggest: 1) only wear garments that flatter your shape 2) invest in good undergarments--life, suck, tuck 3) find what works and wear only that (style, length, color, etc)

Worth a try :yep:

This book is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great recommendation:clapping:

I started reading it and I feel like I have my own personal stylist.:yep: