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cdaaec
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| Posted: Nov 13 2009 at 11:41pm | IP Logged
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Ok, I'm just going to throw this question out there and try not to be ashamed...sigh! I'm 43 and plus sized...I've given birth to five children including twins at the age of 38 and our newest blessing who arrived 8 weeks ago. My abdomen looks horrible...I'm very self conscious of it. The skirts I wore before seem to make the pooch look bigger...so my question...what kind of skirt/top combo would look best to disguise the pooch without looking frumpy or like I'm pregnant? I've tried support undergarments but the pooch is still very evident. Because of a high risk of miscarriage (5 of them) I was forbidden by my OB to do any kind of exercise during this pregnancy which I know didn't help any and I'm attempting to re-establish an exercise routine in hopes of shrinking the pooch but I need to know what to wear now so I feel better about this body. I do like sewing so pattern suggestions are most welcomed.
Thanks. Dena
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Nov 14 2009 at 12:01am | IP Logged
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princess line.. you can make them skim the area.. and if you made a matching hip length top with a skirt with the princess line.. you'd get the top and skirt that looks like a dress effect.. without a waistband emphasizing the problem.. or a higher waist/fuller top making you look/feel like you look pregnant.
But remember that your uterus only moved completely back into your pelvis around 6 weeks.. so give yourself some slack, it's not abnormal to not look so great at 8 weeks post partum.. so just remember it's normal and nothing that doesn't happen to other people.. and now you're at a good point to start to work at it.
I'm plus sized and a few years younger.. but I also deal with a bust large enough that the tummy isn't as much of a problem because it doesn't stick out by itself  
I also like the knit skirts that flare.. close fitting on the top.. and then wear tunic length tops with them.. something with a bit of a flare but not gathered I can only do gathered tops when I am pregnant  Maybe a trapeze style and avoid the babydoll style.. tight across the problem area makes it look worse.. even if you don't like the way you look in a looser top.
You might also look at vests.. they can hang from the sides to help disquise but can be left open to show the top and waistband to help you look like you do have a waist 
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Nov 14 2009 at 12:02am | IP Logged
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I almost forgot.. some color variations and patterns (a nice tone on tone even) will help "confuse the eye" without needing to be flamboyant or startling.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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Maddie
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| Posted: Nov 14 2009 at 12:06am | IP Logged
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I find black makes me look slimmer, or a dark brown and navy blue. I'm right there postpartum with you, my dd was born 9/21.  I was just shopping today for some clothes, it seems maternity is all that looks decent on me right now. 
I do like the longer style shirts they seem to slim my abdomen, especially if they are a darker color.
Congrats on the baby!!
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~Maddie~
Wife to my dh and Momma of 9 dear ones
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Nov 14 2009 at 2:13am | IP Logged
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dark colors do tend to be more slimming.. but only if it's a good color for you to wear.. consider also brighting things up with a pretty scarf.. with winter upon us (we got snow today) you can use winter scarfs or thin scarves or whatever.. and lots of ways to wear them.. I tend to wear them around my neck but then loose down the front.. not crossed over the front of my neck.. adds another long line
Jewel tones can look dark without being dreary.. like turquoise and sapphire and burgandy and emerald.. also look for those deep purples (if you like purple) and try and find colors that make you feel good.. because if they don't you'll find that you won't wear the clothes no matter what they look like on. It gets depressing to wear something that's dreary to you.
You could also try pashminas or ponchos (make a lightweight fabric poncho and you can wear it even inside) Those are supposed to hang loose and can draw the eye up and hide more. I have an outfit I love when it's cold enough to wear it.. I wear a black mockneck with a long black skirt and my black boots.. but then I have a bright red plaid fleece poncho with black fringe to wear over it.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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Lisbet
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Lands End has a GREAT long skirt that comes in darker colors and has a wide elastic waistband that is 'hidden'. I am thin, but after 10 pregnancies, I have a very poochie tummy. This keeps me from looking bulky. I know it is expensive, I have one and I wear it a couple of times a week - I may purchase another actually...
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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cdaaec
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| Posted: Nov 16 2009 at 2:47pm | IP Logged
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Ooh, thank you so much for the princess seams suggestion...totally forgot about those!!! I tend to lean towards the browns and blues so I think I'm going to build some kind of wardrobe around those colors...but throw the jewel tones in, too! Thanks JodieLyn!
Maddie, congratulations on your baby, too!
Lisbet, I just purchased some knit fabric...I'll have to see if I can learn to make a waistband like that skirt has..thanks for the suggestion!
Now to finish up today's school so the sewing can begin! Dena
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amyable
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| Posted: Nov 16 2009 at 4:01pm | IP Logged
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Lisbet wrote:
| Lands End has a GREAT long skirt that comes in darker colors and has a wide elastic waistband that is 'hidden'. |
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I'm loving this skirt, Lisa - what kinds of tops do you wear with it?
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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Bookswithtea
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After my 6th, I had this problem, too. It takes awhile for that pooch to shrink a bit, and it never goes away, unfortunately. Sigh...My sil and I bemoan the pooch all the time. Its either laugh or cry, right?
Skirts that are a drapey, non clingy fabric make a HUGE difference. Rayon, viscose, etc. If its a knit, it needs to fit very loosely, or those lumps and bumps will show. Here's a gorgeous example, but its extremely pricey. I am hoping this skirt eventually goes on sale, because in addition to being beautiful, it also comes in talls!
Also, ladies foundations like Spanx help clothes to lay nicely when you are headed somewhere where you really want to look nice, like Christmas Mass.
 Those sweet babies don't care one whit how poochy our tummies are, and our bodies are truly in the service of the Lord when we are open to Him.
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and  due 9/10
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sewcrazy
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I am a large woman I have found drapey long skirts and tunic length tops are by far the best.
I have a few skirt patterns that are my staples. I just made a new long black skirt as I spilled bleach on my old one  My fave pattern has a wide flat top and them a skirt cut on the bias.
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LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
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cdaaec
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| Posted: Nov 16 2009 at 7:18pm | IP Logged
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Books, I've been thinking that, too...I will in no way trade the pooch for the 10 blessings (5 in Heaven) that inhabited that space!! Ooh, I love that skirt! I have a pattern kind of like that...I may have to play with it to see if I could come up with something similar!
LeeAnn, I've been thinking a lot about tunic like tops with skirts. Will you share the pattern number??? I have a skirt pattern I like and it looks fairly good...even out of denim. I was thinking today once I find what works, I will probably stick with it...I'd rather have a few clothes that look good and fit than a bunch that don't. Time for a closet purge!
Thank you Ladies all so much for your suggestions! Dena
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Lisbet
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Sorry to hijack... Amy, I've been wearing it with botton down, slightly fitted shirts. I'm beginning to show a bit of a bump, but I don't feel bulky in it. I also wore a longer, long sleeved t-shirt with it and ascarf around my neck - I felt particularly kicky that day!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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Mimip
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Bookswithtea wrote:
Skirts that are a drapey, non clingy fabric make a HUGE difference. Rayon, viscose, etc. If its a knit, it needs to fit very loosely, or those lumps and bumps will show. Here's a gorgeous example, but its extremely pricey. I am hoping this skirt eventually goes on sale, because in addition to being beautiful, it also comes in talls!
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OHHHHHH! I want that skirt, and in Tall too!!!!!!!!!!
I would be in heaven!!!!!!!
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In Christ,
Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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CrunchyMom
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mimip wrote:
Bookswithtea wrote:
Skirts that are a drapey, non clingy fabric make a HUGE difference. Rayon, viscose, etc. If its a knit, it needs to fit very loosely, or those lumps and bumps will show. Here's a gorgeous example, but its extremely pricey. I am hoping this skirt eventually goes on sale, because in addition to being beautiful, it also comes in talls!
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OHHHHHH! I want that skirt, and in Tall too!!!!!!!!!!
I would be in heaven!!!!!!! |
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My dad's wife gave me that skirt for Christmas last year. It is indeed heavenly!
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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AndieF
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Have to second the Land's End skirt. I have one in black and blue and they still look brand new after 5 years. I love, love, love them. I am 43 and plus-sized and the mom to 3 children here on earth, but I've had 3 miscarriages and a stillbirth, so now I have a bit of a pooch, even when I am at my goal weight. I love to pair the skirts with a short sleeve cotton shirt and lightweight long length cardigan. I have a Land's End cardigan that I like, but I have several others too.
Andie
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juststartn
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I've got a saggy baggy twin-skin belly....sigh. Nothing short of divine (medical!) intervention is going to bring this belly back to its former, somewhat pretty "glory", lol...
But you are all right--I'd not trade it for the toned tummy the 21 yr old me once had--if it meant I'd have missed out on these lovies...
As far as clothes (my top meaurement balances my bottom, but unfortunately I've also got a short, high, waist...I opt for a solid skirt (usually in denim or khaki for every day wear)--mine have elastic waists, and I got them from....oh golly. Trying to remember...sigh...I'll think of it eventually! Its been over 2 yrs now. Nice pockets too (usually full of those odds and ends I pick up throughout the day!)...
Anyway, I wear them with a patterned or solid top in a flattering color--tops are usually button downs with princess seaming/detailing...they draw in right where I need them to (to point out that yes, in fact, I *do* have a waist, thank you very much!), and flare back out a bit before they hit my real problem area.
I've told DH I want a tummy tuck after menopause hits for sure. LOL
Rachel
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hmbress
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| Posted: Nov 23 2009 at 10:34pm | IP Logged
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I'm not sure if this is translates to skirts, but for pants the medium rise ones (waistband an inch or so below, not at the belly button) naturally pull in the pooch. Waistbands at the waist accentuate the pooch.
Medium rise also has the nice benefit of making the rear look smaller! Always a plus in my book!
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juststartn
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| Posted: Nov 24 2009 at 11:00am | IP Logged
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I found the skirt!
www.bedfordfair.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=24760
LOVE these skirts (got one of the stonewashed denim ones on today, lol).
Rachel
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Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
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Sophia 4/19/04
John 5/7/07
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Nov 26 2009 at 12:17am | IP Logged
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Rachel, I think I've posted that one before it is my FAVORITE everyday sort of skirt. Bedford fair also has some nice knit skirts.. but I just got them and have only worn them a couple of times.. I hope they'll do well enough I can recommend those too
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Topic: What TO wear...HELP!!
