Help finding a dress to hide a belly

[melrose7]

DD2 has her first communion coming up in just over 2 weeks. I had planned on losing the 15lbs I gained over the last 2 years after I has started running, lost it, stopped running, and gained it back. I hate how I look in our family picture at DD1's first communion last year and I've gained weight since then. I don't want to not take a family picture because I don't like how I look but not looking forward to it. I am trying my best to exercise and eat better now and until the first communion but it's not going to help me lose much weight by then.

So can anyone recommend a dress I can buy that can help me look a little better. The trouble is my stomach. I was always one of those that looked pregnant even before having kids. Hoping for something not too expensive. TIA

[twowhat?]

I've done lots of work on dresses that look good with a tummy because of my diastasis!

I have found that dresses with a waistline at your NATURAL waist (where it nips in the most - for me it's right at/slightly above my belly button) work best. NO empire waists - they are too high. Anything above the natural waist make me look preggo. If I have a dress with a waistline that's just a tad too high, a wide belt fixes it, to bring the visual line down.

A fabric that is NOT a knit. Ponte is nice. Anything woven. If it's a stretchier fabric, it needs to have some weight to it. No soft, clingy jersey dresses.

Pleats. I know that's counterintuitive but dresses with pleats at the waist and an A-line or skater shape. I'm not talking about lots of pleats - but a couple of well-placed box pleats for example. Try the dress on, and stand sideways and look in the mirror. The skirt should fall down and away from your hips, and not hug the hips/thighs. For this reason sheath dresses don't generally work well, but I do have one black BR sheath with box pleats that DOES work well and it's because of the pleats and the skirt is a bit looser around the hips/thighs.

Shirtdresses tend to work really well on me as well, especially if they have a pattern. They tend to be a bit looser from waist down, and the tie at the waist creates the necessary "pleats". Dunno how appropriate they are for what you need, but the last one I linked to is pretty and I could see it being dressed up easily.

I'll link to some pics of dresses that work work...I've gotten really good at being able to tell from pics what are good bets:)

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1014731&vid=3&pid=407111002
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=97865&vid=1&pid=218168002
http://www.anntaylor.com/knit-jacquard-pleat-dress/332199
http://www.anntaylor.com/scroll-jacquard-flounce-dress/337268
http://www.anntaylor.com/floral-print-shirtdress/364509

[SnuggleBuggles]

I was surprised by how good sheaths can look. I also like A line dresses. Check Lands End.

[melrose7]

Thanks for the links and ideas. I am going to try to go the mall this weekend plus Lands End and Kohls but now I have an idea of what kind of dresses to look for.

Keep the links coming but I might have to order on line and hope for the best.

[SnuggleBuggles]

This one is really cute in person http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-sleeveless-pattern-ponte-welt-pocket-dress/id_259480

[MamaMolly]

I've had a belly since puberty, it isn't going anywhere. Spanx or generic spanx are super for helping conceal it.

[melrose7]

I've had a belly since puberty, it isn't going anywhere. Spanx or generic spanx are super for helping conceal it.
I was just thinking about getting a spanx too. Where are the best ones from? Can I get a decent kind of kohls?

[twowhat?]

I was just thinking about getting a spanx too. Where are the best ones from? Can I get a decent kind of kohls?

Me too, I'd like to know. I've tried several spanx things and the only thing they do for my tummy is, well, smooth it out:(

[sunnyside]

Fit and flare dresses work for me with these issues. Also a nice bold necklace to draw the eye up.

[Ms B]

I have always had a 'pooch' (even when I weighed 100 pounds in high school). I highly recommend any of the woven fit and flare dresses from Talbots.

[Mali]

I don't know if the pattern would be too much for you, but I loved this dress when I tried it on. http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-ponte-a-line-dress---pattern/id_280138 It was perfect, except for the neckline; it was too high for me and was triggering the sensation of choking so I had to return it. If you don't get that feeling it could be an option.

This one is basically the same dress except the neckline is in a much better place. The pattern wasn't to my taste when I saw it in person though. http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-ponte-pieced-a-line-dress---pattern/id_280139

[melrose7]

I don't know if the pattern would be too much for you, but I loved this dress when I tried it on. http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-ponte-a-line-dress---pattern/id_280138 It was perfect, except for the neckline; it was too high for me and was triggering the sensation of choking so I had to return it. If you don't get that feeling it could be an option.

This one is basically the same dress except the neckline is in a much better place. The pattern wasn't to my taste when I saw it in person though. http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-ponte-pieced-a-line-dress---pattern/id_280139

Thanks. Both of those are in my cart and I was hoping to try them on this weekend if I can get out. I was looking for a coupon code but all I see if for swim now.

[goldenpig]

I agree with twowhat, belts or nipped waists at the natural waist work really well. Fit and flare is good but sheaths can also work if they are more structured material rather than clingy. Also some wrap dresses can work if they have draping. Agree with pleating too.

I'm also an apple and have to do a lot of tummy hiding (especially now, I've gained about 10-15 lb). When I was pregnant with DS2 I was trying to hide my bump I used a lot of apple tricks. The difference when I wore a maternity shirt vs. nipped waist + pencil skirts or structured sheaths was pretty surprising!
http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/post/wiw-89-824-time-to-stop-hiding-the-bump

Maybe some of these floral fit and flare styles? I love floral dresses for spring!
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/maggy-london-floral-print-fit-flare-dress-regular-petite/3908177?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Cream%2F+Pink&resultback=454
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/maggy-london-print-stretch-cotton-sateen-fit-flare-dress-regular-petite/3913258?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=454
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/donna-ricco-floral-pleated-neck-fit-flare-dress-petite/3872952?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=&resultback=3999
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/eliza-j-embellished-jacquard-fit-flare-dress/3973131?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=&resultback=4755
This is a plus size but I think it's really pretty:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/city-chic-hydrangea-print-dress-plus-size/3903758?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=&resultback=562

[Still-in-Shock]

Thanks to everyone who made suggestions, and to the OP for starting this thread. I keep telling myself that my child loves me no matter what I look like, but it would sure be nice to find clothes that make me happy to be seen in public. I will be looking at all of these this weekend.

[citymama]

Bookmarking so I can take a look at the dresses linked by goldenpig and others!

[ourbabygirl]

Yeah, I also want to thank OP and PPs! I need to find a dress for a baptism and would like to hide my baby belly flab, so you've given me a good place to start! Now to find the time to go shopping on my own… ;)

[citymama]

http://www.anntaylor.com/floral-print-shirtdress/364509

Love this shirt dress! I need to try it on in store but I just added to my online cart! Not sure what size I would need.

[twowhat?]

Love this shirt dress! I need to try it on in store but I just added to my online cart! Not sure what size I would need.

50% off with CYBER50. Can't remember how long it lasts, but probably another day or so. I wasn't sure about size either but a couple of the reviews said it ran large so I went with xs.

[hellbennt]

I love this thread! I have diastis & tend to look preggo- I discovered Rabbit Rabbit brand - take a peek: http://www.amazon.com/s?rh=n:1045024,p_4:Rabbit+Rabbit

Eta: http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com/burlingtoncoatfactory/Spring-Trends/White/Regular/Lace-Shift-Dress-294126686.aspx?scrolli=2952&search=Rabbit+rabbit&page=3


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
www.infantreflux.org

[citymama]

50% off with CYBER50. Can't remember how long it lasts, but probably another day or so. I wasn't sure about size either but a couple of the reviews said it ran large so I went with xs.

Ooh, thanks. XS would be right for me too, then - I'm XS in Athleta/2 in Boden dresses. But you never know with some brands and I haven't bought AT in years.

ETA oh no! Sold out in the XS and S! Boo hoo!

Further update - got a store to ship me the XS and honor the 50% off! Hope I like it. ;-)

[twowhat?]

Ooh, thanks. XS would be right for me too, then - I'm XS in Athleta/2 in Boden dresses. But you never know with some brands and I haven't bought AT in years.

ETA oh no! Sold out in the XS and S! Boo hoo!

Further update - got a store to ship me the XS and honor the 50% off! Hope I like it. ;-)

Mine arrived yesterday. Disappointed. It fit perfectly but was WAY TOO SHORT!!! WTF??? It's not anywhere near as long as it appears on the model. I've been having this problem with almost every dress I've tried recently. What gives?? I'm only 5'6", so not particularly tall...but maybe I need to start focusing only on buying tall sizes??

[citymama]

Mine arrived yesterday. Disappointed. It fit perfectly but was WAY TOO SHORT!!! WTF??? It's not anywhere near as long as it appears on the model. I've been having this problem with almost every dress I've tried recently. What gives?? I'm only 5'6", so not particularly tall...but maybe I need to start focusing only on buying tall sizes??

Is it something that can be worn with leggings or tights?

[twowhat?]

Is it something that can be worn with leggings or tights?

It is, I tried it with gray leggings and it looked OK. I can't think of what color might look better. Same with tights, not sure what color would work.

Fall/winter isn't a problem...I've got tons of stuff that I wear with leggings/tights. But for spring/summer (which is what I was hoping this would work for!) it's harder - I don't know what to do with all of my too-short-to-wear-without-covering-legs shirtdresses/tunics that I have for work. I have a pair of nude wedges that look great if my legs are bare...but I have to be more careful with pant/leggings/tights colors and I haven't figured out what works with nude shoes for the warmer months that doesn't look so "heavy". If you think of a good idea, please let me know! I might have to start a new thread, I feel bad about hijacking!!

[inmypjs]

Do you have a Dress Barn near you? My DD just had her First Communion, and I searched all over for a dress. Ordered some online and went to a few higher end dept. stores. I ended up finding 2 dresses that I really like at Dress Barn. Now I am not crazy about shopping somewhere with the word "Barn" in the title, especially since I am working to lose weight too! But they have a TON to choose from, and the prices can't be beat. The do have lots of bolero type sweaters too if you find a sleeveless one and want a cover up for church or if it's chilly. The quality seemed just fine to me. Each of my dresses was $45 and they had a promotion to get $10 off your total if you bought two.

[melwe]

I second Dress Barn. I have bought several dresses from them, and I find their fit to be very flattering. The prices are very reasonable.

[melrose7]

Do you have a Dress Barn near you? My DD just had her First Communion, and I searched all over for a dress. Ordered some online and went to a few higher end dept. stores. I ended up finding 2 dresses that I really like at Dress Barn. Now I am not crazy about shopping somewhere with the word "Barn" in the title, especially since I am working to lose weight too! But they have a TON to choose from, and the prices can't be beat. The do have lots of bolero type sweaters too if you find a sleeveless one and want a cover up for church or if it's chilly. The quality seemed just fine to me. Each of my dresses was $45 and they had a promotion to get $10 off your total if you bought two.

Thanks for the idea. I'm sure there is a Dress Barn here somewhere just have to figure out where. I'll have to check there for other occasions. I bought a dress at Macy's but I think I'm returning it. I did find a pencil skirt and top that I think I'm going to wear. Too bad it's going to be like 40 and raining tomorrow though.

[citymama]

Mine arrived yesterday. Disappointed. It fit perfectly but was WAY TOO SHORT!!! WTF??? It's not anywhere near as long as it appears on the model. I've been having this problem with almost every dress I've tried recently. What gives?? I'm only 5'6", so not particularly tall...but maybe I need to start focusing only on buying tall sizes??

Got the dress and it's going back! It turns out I don't really like that print in person - looked so much more elegant on the model. Nor the fabric. It fit well and the length didn't bother me. Not sure how returns at AT work as they didn't send me a return label...