New and in need of fashion help! - YouLookFab Forum

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New and in need of fashion help!

tigerlily6200

I am not fashionable at all. I am the mother of three kids four years-old and under. But I am in the need of help. I have a wedding to attend and I am a few months out from having my last baby. I am just not losing the weight that fast this time and my body has changed. Last time my stomach went right back now I carry more there.

I just don't know what type of dress to look for - I have read the body shape guides and I still have no idea what I am. I went on Amazon and purchased the Body Shape Bible and I wish I could teleport someone here to go shopping with me.

I live in a very small town; the nearest mall is over an hour away.

I believe that I may be an apple or some form of it with this added middle section; however my arms are fat? That, apparently, was another bonus of this pregnancy.

So what type of dress should I get if my arms are bigger, normal size chest, short round waist, a little more than there should be on the thighs, hips, and butt but from the knees down I look pretty good lol

Any suggestions or examples would really be appreciated.

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I am not an expert on which styles work best on which body shapes, but wanted to ask how much time you have until you attend the wedding? I'm asking because I'm wondering if you have time to order stuff online, and then send it back etc. Seems the mall being an hour away is a bit of a hassle, especially with little ones to look after.

sarah

Veteran

Don't despair. I know that it can be so hard to accept our bodies once they change with pregnancy and aging. You've come to the right place! You'll see many examples of stylish women with every body type under the sun on this forum! I wonder if a dress with some ruching (nor sure I spelled that correctly) around the mid-section would help you feel better about your post-pregnancy apple tendencies. Since you're in a small town, it might be good to take advantage of the free shipping/free returns policies of places like Nordstrom's and Zappos as you do some dress shopping.

I'll be back with some suggestions.

sarah

Veteran

What size are you? Also, is this an evening or afternoon wedding? Formal? Informal? Are you OK with bare arms? Or do you want sleeves?

sarah

Veteran

At Nordstrom's, you can search under dresses by "guest of the wedding".

What about this one?

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/su.....sultback=0

tigerlily6200

Sorry lol it was time for dinner for my little ones.

The wedding is June 9th. It is at a mansion in upstate NY. Sunday wedding, 4;30 PM cocktail attire

We do have amazon prime and I order from zappos, endless.com etc alot.

I know that with exercise some of these body issues will fade but time for myself just isn't a luxury I have right now.

Well I'm unsure of my size right now but I did just buy a medium in a dress from Target. I can't get into any of my size 6 dresses; well at least to where they would look appropriate but I can get in to one pair of size 6 jeans.

So if I had to guess; I'd say 8 or a 10? I'm short as well, 5'3". I don't know my weight because the scales and I broke up along time ago and I find myself obsessing if I weigh myself alot.

I would prefer something that hits at my knees (I don't have the legs to pull off short and too long makes me look ridiculous) and I really do hate my arms. I think I could live with the extra at my tummy if my arms would slim down (omg I sound so vain).

So sleeves or big roomy sleeves (see lack of fashion knowledge there) would be my preference.

I will look at the sites that were suggested etc.

christieanne

Veteran

Hi and welcome! Sounds like a petite fit might be best considering your height and then something with a loose, flowing sleeve? There are those cut out sleeve items now that just show the top of your arms. Jonesy has one on in her WIW post today.

Don't despair! As soon as you comment some through the weekend, you should be able to post pictures too and that might ladies get you sorted.

tigerlily6200

Hi - I didn't think about petite although it makes sense because I wear petite pants.

Can anyone give me their opinion on this dress:

http://www.chicos.com/store/br.....#038;size=

It's the Illusions butterfly dress

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Welcome, and do not despair. Many of us know the stress of shopping under pressure, with few options, at times when we are feeling lousy about our bodies.

Comment on a few other people's posts here and in a few days, you will get picture posting privileges. Then you can have someone take a photo of you so we can give some concrete suggestions. Petites may or may not fit you better; it depend a bit on proportion. I am a little taller than you and I wear petites in jackets and dresses and shirts - because I'm short waisted and short armed. I need regular length trousers (even though my legs are also proportionately short). Of course I need to hem them. But if I don't get them regular length, they are too short and don't fit in the rise. Go figure.

Since the wedding is in the evening, you could get a sleeveless dress and a pretty shrug or other topper to cover the arms you feel uncomfortable about. And definitely show off those pretty calves!

tigerlily6200

Yeah I could do strapless with something to cover with. I love pashminas and have a dozen or so. I just don't know if I should cover - with big open sleeves or if I should do strapless and cover with a pashmina.

I just don't have the knowledge about fashion and what looks good to know what will help me play up my strengths.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Welcome to the board. We all have had to deal with weight or body issues at some point. Don't let it discourage you.

Would something like this work? The sleeves are shorter but loose and the print is very pretty with the bright to dark pattern.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tr.....tback=3990

This one has similar colors to the one you posted but without the beachy feel of the sheer sleeves.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/su.....tback=5776

This is a very elegant dress. Goldenpig is an self-professed apple and posted a similar cut dress in a print recently and it was very figure flattering.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ta.....tback=2736

Another pretty print in a wrap style.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/bc.....tback=4864

tigerlily6200

This is a question I should have asked in my first post:

What is the actual definition of cocktail attire for both men and women? When you go to web sites sometimes they have everything jumbled together - evening/cocktail etc?

Is it a fabric distinction that makes it different, a length?

Obviously I really have no idea when it comes to fashion lol

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't know the answer to this question myself. I suspect cocktail would be a little less dressy and formal than evening - at least strictly speaking - but I am not sure how strictly people tend to speak these days. In other words, sometimes they say one thing and really mean another.

My guess is that "cocktail" means you don't have to wear a floor length gown and elbow gloves. You can wear a short but dressy dress. Fabrications might be similar but could be slightly less luxe for cocktail (though not necessarily). Dresses for cocktail might be a bit more on trend.

Scarlet

Veteran

I think the Chicos is not formal enough, but I like the suggestions from Dianthus. Too bad this one is sold out, but I think the style would be perfect for your concerns
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ta.....83_9cTD2LQ

teeandcee

Hi Tigerlily and welcome! (Iove our name) Lots of wonderful people here to help you out!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Hi there, and welcome!

A body pic would help us determine your body shape, but I know that it is hard to jump right in and do that.

From the description you provided, I see that you are most concerned about the tummy and arm areas. This makes me think of Goldenpig's fab collection of dresses with draping at the midsection - maybe search for brands like Suzi Chin, Adrianna Papel, and Maggy London? Maybe Michael Michael Kors. I know you said you'd like a sleeve, but let me warn you that designers are terrible at giving us sleeves! (We all cry about this here). You will open your options up a lot if you are willing to add a cute cropped jacket or wrap to address your arms.

I would *avoid* elastic waists, drawstring waists, and belts.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr?k.....gesize=100

http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr?k.....p%20ll%22)

I think this one is pretty and has sleeves - I don't know about your coloring, so you may or may not like it
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ad.....wordsearch

A shimmery neutral with some sleeve coverage
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ma.....wordsearch

rae

(website)

Veteran

Some more with sleeves

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ta.....n=category

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tr.....n=category

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ai.....n=category

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Here is my post of what I wore to an evening wedding in downtown Chicago a few weeks ago. I do not think that you need to wear black for "cocktail" event, but that is what I found which fit and was affordable to me at the time. I added the sparkly necklace and bronze clutch and sandals to counteract the black but still look cocktail.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-wedding-2

Others may not agree, but this to me said cocktail attire.

I do like your Chico's pick. But unless your cocktail wedding reception is in the garden of the mansion, some of the other choices suggested by Rae would appeal to me more.

tigerlily6200

Wow you guys are great. Okay it definitely helps to know what cocktail means - thank you all for the options you are posting. I may get over the arm issue and use a cover up etc., because it definitely limits my options.

I just ordered the book Body Shape Bible - I definitely think having something at the midsection that will take the emphasis off my tummy issues.

I might just do a road trip to the mall tomorrow because it has all the big department stores (nordstorm, dillards etc) and just try on dresses until I figure it out.

This forum is such a big help. Now I can print ideas and take them with me.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Welcome to the forum!

If you are going to Nordstrom, definitely make use of their Sales Associates. Explain your situation, concerns and the occasion you're shopping for. Most SA's are quite knowledgeable. Since you are short waisted, I would start with the Petite's dress department. Good luck.

fashionista

Veteran

Welcome and as far as from your description, a short/long sleeved wrap dress hitting at you knee would be appropriate to you.
Do post some WIW so that we can sort it out for you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Welcome to the forum! You are in great hands. May I further suggest Adrianna Papell dressy dresses in knits. The fits are generous in all the right places and the drape is sublime.