Please dress me for my daughter's baptism

[WitMom]

I am looking for suggestions on what I should wear for my daughter's baptism in 2 weeks. It is hard to get to the mall and spend an unlimited amount of time shopping these days (as I'm sure all moms here know). I was hoping someone could make some suggestions. I am 5 weeks post partum, so still have quite a bit of baby weight to lose. I'm guessing I'm a size 14 or so right now. I'm breastfeeding, so would need to be two pieces, or something that would accomodate nursing baby. And I hate my arms, so something with sleeves. Do I sound too picky? Any and all suggestions are helpful. Thanks so much.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I would probably go with a printed or plain (neutral) skirt with a twinset.

Some examples of flattering A-Line skirts. Just keep that shape in mind when shopping. It should narrow things down. They are good lengths for the occasion, imo.

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=7326&N=1200011&pCategoryId=101&categoryId=185&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_185&showAll=Y&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Chive&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=8357&N=1200011&pCategoryId=101&categoryId=185&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_185&showAll=Y&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Tumbleweed&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses

I wouldn't get a really chunky ribbed twinset. Otherwise, any will probably do:
http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/outfit.jsp?ensembleId=1829&N=1200007&pCategoryId=101&categoryId=182&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_182

If you have a budget in mind I can do some online browsing for you. Ann Taylor was just the 1st store that popped into my head when I wanted some examples. :)

Beth

[WitMom]

Thanks, Beth. You should be a personal shopper! If you want to look around online, I would prefer to keep it under $150- I hope to lose his baby weight, and don't want to sink a fortune into clohes right now. I would welcome the help, but I certainly don't expect you to do that.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Skirt possibilities

Talbots, beige embroidered skirt, on sale $69. The other one shown is really nice too but I have to look for that link
http://www1.talbots.com/talbotsonline/product/itempage.aspx?item=K94787&PFID=1426&BID=&h=M

This is a small neutral colored print skirt for $39:
http://www.jjill.com/ShopJJillDetail.asp?a=OL&sz=1&itemid=625599&d=10&absPage=0&OfferID=OS&ItemCatDesc=skirts&sc=8&ItemSubCatDesc=knee%2blength

Ooh, this looks pretty and comfortable. Lands' End, elastic waist, embroidered in white or black for $49.50. Now, I am on the fence the more I look at it b/c in one picture it looks like a nice a-line but in others in looks more straight. Check it out if you are interested:
http://www.landsend.com/pp/ElasticWaistEmbroideredPoplinSkirt-155_155134_59.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_155

Off white, a-line, brown embroidered flowers for $59.50, Lands' End:
http://www.landsend.com/pp/SoftPleatSkirt-155_167331_59.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_155

I'd been going with lighter colors but this navy, silk skirt for $69.50 is pretty. It looks nice and flowy:
http://www.landsend.com/pp/PrintedSilkSkirt-155_167326_59.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_155

I'm not sure if this is too casual but it is so pretty. Lots of color combos. A bit pricey at $78 from Boden:
http://www.bodenusa.com/col.asp?segname=Women&styid=WG241&segid=6&gpname=Skirts&desname=Contrast+Border+Skirt&gpid=26&gen=


Shirts
This is a nice shirt and it has a matching skirt too. With some accessories it could work. Outfit total is $61 :). The wrap style shirt is nice if you want to streamline a bit.:
http://www.motherwear.com/prod.cfm/cid/12/sid/2338

short sleeved cardigan:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2915110/0~2376776~2374327~2374334~6002129?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6002129&P=1

$58, short sleeved, v-neck cardigan:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2915191/0~2376776~2374327~2374334~6002129?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6002129&P=1

Pretty cardigan, lots of color choices, LE $39.50. I'd probably do a plain white tank underneath or their matching tank for $29.50
http://www.landsend.com/pp/SleevelessFineGaugeJewelneckSweater-66620_137579_59.html?CM_MERCH=PGGT_66620
http://www.landsend.com/pp/FineGaugeStretchCardigan-69599_128991_59.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_69599

This short sleeve, v-neck shirt is a bit looser than some others. In white it would match most of the above skirts. The papaya color may match one or 2 as well. $58, silk/ nylon.
http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=6255&N=1200006&pCategoryId=101&categoryId=181&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_181&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Papaya&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses


I really like the shape/ cut of this $36 short sleeved shirt but not sure about the colors.
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=5748&N=1200004&pCategoryId=199&categoryId=201&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_201&showAll=Y&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Black&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses

This $59 3/4, empire waist shirt would help hide a tummy. It's a good basic that could work with a lot of the skirts:
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=5737&N=1200003&pCategoryId=199&categoryId=200&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_200&showAll=Y&defaultColorNameFromCategory=White&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses




And here is a nursing dress for $50. It looks really pretty. I don't really know much about nursing clothes but this one looks uncomplicated.
http://www.motherwear.com/prod.cfm/cid/20/sid/1092


I can't seem to think of any other stores to check. I think I like the green print AT skirt from yesterday best. But, hopefully something in one of the batches speaks to you or inspires you. :) Sorry I didn't pair up tops. I tried to pick neutral colors and textures that could work with pretty much any of the skirts. Most of the websites offer top suggestions and could give you some other ideas. HTH!

Beth

[WitMom]

Thank you so much, Beth. That was so nice of you, and helpful, too. I love LE...not sure why I didn't think to look there. You have given me some possibilities that I hadn't considered. It's always nice to get some "new" suggestions to help get out of a rut. Off to do some online shopping.

Again, thanks so, so much!