WIW 3/21-22: The art of concealment

Seems like just a couple of weeks ago (well, actually it was!) that I was showing off my belly, the bigger the better! Now I'm right back to my first trimester apple hiding tricks. I am really lucky that the weight seems to be coming off faster than I thought, but I do still have to use the right clothes to help disguise the postpartum tum-tum. I thought these two outfits worked particularly well for the art of concealment, what do you think?

1-3. My Laundry by Shelli Segal dress--my version of the Nine West magic dress (actually MaryK found a Nine West dress for me on eBay, so I may be getting a real Magic Dress of my own soon!) I wore this to a work meeting I had to attend...the first time they'd seen me at the office since I went on leave a month ago. They all commented that I looked like nothing had happened and I hadn't been pregnant at all. And they're guys, so I don't think they'd say that just to be nice!
Laundry by Shelli Segal pink and black dress
Gap black tank
Clarks black pumps
White House Black Market black pendant

4-6. For proof it's not all just me...see how much flatter my belly looks in the gathered waist dress above, compared to this non-ruched Banana Republic dress that I posted in my K/R yesterday: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....wo-at-tops

7-10. Squeezing back into my favorite Paige white jeans! Had to leave the buttons undone and use a BeBand to hold it closed, but still...one of the moms at school couldn't believe I was wearing pants already two weeks out. And this banded tunic top is great for skimming over the belly. I have had to switch gears abruptly from body con to body skimming silhouettes. Amazing what a difference the right clothes will make, though!
WHBM blue and white floral tunic
Paige Hidden Hills white jeans
WHBM silver cuff
Tulle navy peacoat
Clarks nude wedge sandals

Thanks for looking and commenting!

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11 years ago

Day Vies

Veteran

Love that green BR dress on you! I was just there this evening buying up the store. I agree that prints are your friend when it comes to concealing and camouflaging. I especially love the navy/white top with the white jeans. Glad the extra pounds are falling off.

Ingunn

(website)

You are incredible! I can't believe that you look this fresh so soon after delivery. I totally understand why people are commenting - they are only honest, because you don't look like someone who had a baby very recently. You definitely do understand how to camouflage your tummy, and all outfits look wonderful. I'm bowing to your fabness!

Ornella

I don't even want to think back to how I looked two weeks after the baby. I definitely was not squeezing back into anything I wore before, that much I can tell, I was waiting for happier days But I was truly happy like never before, so that' all that counts.

Ingunn is right, it is impossible not to honestly comment on how you look. Three kids and two weeks after the last one, and it *is* possible to look like this - while not being photoshopped

I am particular fan of the dress in 4-6 and don't mind the tummy action there at all. In fact, if you weren't mentioning it, I'd never even given it second look.

Anonymous

Natalie you truly are a superwoman! All the outfits rate a 10 as far as I'm concerned. You are so good at knowing how to play down your features that you wish to disguise and enhancing others, Sheer brilliance!

harmonica

Gorgeous, Natalie! You are the very best at highlighting / concealment! All the best to your family - so fun to see you are enjoying fashion and dressing all the time. Seems like you get energy when playing with shopping and clothes Learning some of your tricks IRL would be fun

You look great. I hope you are feeling well too and baby is settling in to life on the outside

hedgiehog

Wow, you're amazing! You look so svelte for just delivering! I think erverything works.....4 and 7 are my favourites. YLF!

cheryle (Dianthus)

Natalie, I am amazed at how great you look. Your co-workers are correct.

I love the first dress on you. It is so pretty and the gathers are in the perfect place for you. I was also shocked you could fit into jeans.

I think I was still wearing maternity pants a month after my son was born and he is my first not third.

It is also so nice to see your WIWs again.

annaj

You look great!! I can't believe it's only been 2 weeks since your baby arrived!! Congratulations!!

MsMary

Good grief, Natalie! You are absolutely destroying the post-partum fashion grade curve here!

And isn't it wonderful to have a fab wardrobe waiting for you?

deb

I need a magic dress like that! You look great and I like the BR dress on you.

Raisin

Wow, you look so fabulous! No woder people are commenting. I do love all your outfits, the dresses seem to work really well.

Thistle

I could barely walk 2 weeks post partum (I did end up needing a c-section after 36 hours of labor).

You look fab, and that first dress really is magical! It drapes perfectly, camaflagues and conceals. Now that is a magic dress!

nancylee

You are a gorgeous woman..and amazingly fashionable for a new mother, Natalie! WOW!

Debora

WOW! I never would have guessed that you had just given birth. You look incredible in e wry single outfit. How is the new baby doing?

Beth Ann

You should be a fashion-mentor for pregnant and post-partum women! You look great and are reclaiming your body at an amazing pace, but you also are showing great skill in dressing for your changing frame. Beautiful, quality items that flatter and skim.

Jaime

You could write the book on pregnancy and post natal fashion. Or at least provide all the illustrations. You look tiny in the green dress and the white jeans outfit looks terrific also. I can't believe it has just been a couple of weeks. Wow!

Sveta

I was just nodding along with other comments: I wish I looked half that good 2 weeks after I gave birth.. You are a superwoman indeed!

goldenpig

Thank you all so much for your kind comments! I was scared of postpartum dressing but it is turning out to be a fun challenge and I'm really learning more all the time about apple dressing. It is nice to be able to come back to some of my favorite pieces waiting in my wardrobe and adapting them to fit my changing body and needs (nursing, etc.).

I do plan to post some of my pregnancy pics at some point soon--I did my first trimester lookbook, but haven't gotten around to 2nd and 3rd trimester yet.

Oh and Debora, the baby is doing great! Aside from some reflux issues, which keep him (and me) up at night, he is very happy and chubby and smiley!

Hil

You look phenomenal GP! I actually don't know which outfit I like more of the the ones you posted!

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