Introduction and question - how to dress a pooch?

Hi! I just found this forum a week or so ago and I've been lurking.

I feel like I used to be fashionable but I lost track of it when I had my baby. He's now a toddler and I need to get back in to feeling confident about myself, so I need to update my wardrobe into something I'm comfortable with. I have been very frustrated and I even said to DH the other day how I hated all my clothes since nothing is comfortable and nothing is flattering.

I think the main issue is this. I have always been a pear shape with slight shoulders, small waist, and more generous hips/thighs. I have what I call triangle-shaped legs with thick thighs, average but not defined calves, and thickish ankles. I used to know how to dress to help with this.

But since I had my baby I have this awful pooch of skin in my lower belly. I have a few more pounds too, but I think it's the change in shape that's the main issue. Things that used to work for me as a pear shape don't work anymore, and in fact, look awful, because of this pooch.

I have a few things that seem to work - wrap dresses with boots were my main staple through the winter. I had a few empire-ish dresses that I used to love that made people question me if I were pregnant again, which just about broke my heart, so those are out.

Every time I wear pants they seem to fail the sitting test as I get massive belly pooching even if the pants and shirt are not tight. But if I wear anything with any volume around that area, people think I'm pregnant.

Is there any solution to this problem? Help!

11 years ago

Anonymous

Welcome!

You may have found that you are now more an apple shape, so check out Angie's tips on dressing an apple. Also check out goldenpig's posts -- she just recently had a baby and she is very adept at dressing an apple shape.

Isabel

Veteran

Hi and WELCOME! Learning to "re-dress" your body as it changes is such a challenge ! Angie hopefully will answer with some insight as well as others. I can tell you that I find buying higher rise jeans that are "curvy" have really really helped me, Levi's has the Curve ID line which is great. I also like Jag and I just go my first pair of NYDJ which I am loving. I also buy skinnier jeans a size or two larger and then have the waist band taken in. I have also found faux wrap dresses and tops just wonderful. Some women with pooches just swear by peplum tops.

In the end, I think that you need to try on things that you never did before.

Good luck and keep us updated.

peekaboo

Active Member

Thank you!

I guess it's tough for me to accept that apple shape items would really work for me. They've always seemed predicated on having small-ish and straight hips, which I definitely don't have. I have sort of a double bump (wide upper thighs, then gets narrower at the hips/flat bottom, then widens out again at the waist) that makes pencil skirts or sheath dresses look really weird.

I tried 5 pairs of levis curve jeans and they all were awful. I kind of thought maybe I couldn't wear curvy jeans anymore cause my waist isn't small enough. But I still seem to need a curvy fit for my thighs.

Runcarla

I don't like the Levi's curve ID either. Give me my 505's!

I found a pair of jeans with a wider waistband that does a good job holding in the 'maternity apron'. They don't loose their shape after 3 days wear in a row, but I do wash them inside out and hang to dry. They are soft, but not baggy.

I think they are actually a discount brand, but when I tried them on they were magic, so who cares that I got them at Giant Tiger?

my first foray into skinnies.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Caro in Oz

Welcome! Have a look at Thistle's posts on jeans.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-2-jeans-0

Bumping for Angie....

sorry about the Levi's . Remember that you can always have the jeans tailored. As Stacey London once said, to paraphrase, there are 7 billion people in the world and most clothes are made out of one dress form.

RunCarla, I completely agree. I once found a pair at Kmart that became my favorites for years.....

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Welcome! And don't worry

May I suggest NYDJ's? And Jag jeans. There is a brand by J.Lo that might work too.

Also, enjoy your dress and skirt journey. If those pieces work well, create a style around them.

You might find these posts helpful too:

http://youlookfab.com/2013/03/.....with-tops/

http://youlookfab.com/2009/04/.....uffin-top/

Aziraphale

Well, I've seen people put them in little knit sweaters or even a raincoat with a hood, but really, I've always thought dogs look a bit embarrassed when dressed....oh no wait, you mean the other kind of pooch.

I'm being silly. Lots of good advice here. Jackets, certain cardigans, skirts or dresses with a waistband higher than the bulge, and properly-fitting jeans are all helpful.

The pooch will probably diminish with time. Many women who have had children (myself included) had a similar problem. It's quite normal for body weight distribution to shift somewhat after having a baby, and most women who have been pregnant have permanently looser skin on their bellies than previously, but with time and a reasonable amount of effort, the lower belly bulge mostly goes away.

ETA: regarding empire waist dresses: Yes, definitely stay away from those. There aren't many women who can wear those without looking pregnant, whether they've had a baby or not!

Category