formal event at 3 months postpartum: what would you wear?

[VeganCupcake]

DH has a work event in December that is black tie. He wants us to go. Apparently I need a "gown".

Problem #1: I hate gowns and look ridiculous in them and therefore do not want to wear one.
Problem #2: A gown will probably not fit this giant-boobed flabby body.
Problem #3: I don't want to spend very much money on something I will probably hardly ever wear and might hate anyway.

Any suggestions?

[Logan's mommy]

I struggled with something similar, I have to go to a wedding on Saturday, and had a really hard time figuring out what to wear that I could nurse in, but would look good on a 6 week pp body. I looked around and couldn't find anything that I liked, but I found a cowl neck sweater with a deep deep neck ( the neck line is almost to my belly button) I'm going to wear a tank in a matching color underneath and a black skirt... (with my newly purchased emerald colored heels ) I don't know what I would do if it were formal... probably ask if I could wear some nice dressy clothes that were almost formal. hth.

[Alcyone]

Consignment shops will save you money, at least. You could resell it afterwards too.

[nerdymom]

It can be easy to pick up a gown at a thrift shop, a lot of weathy doctors wives donate to "Pink Lady" or hospital benefit thift shops, you should see if there is one near where you live. They will have the better gowns. I found a nice one there for the USCG ball a couple years back.

If you don't want to wear a gown, don't! This is 2008, and you have other options. If I were you, I'd go for these pants: http://www.chadwicks.com/clothing/Me...PurchaseType=0
and a gorgeous blouse, whatever will look good on your body type, maybe something like this: http://www.chadwicks.com/clothing/Sl...PurchaseType=0 and finish it with a colorful wrap and some pretty shoes, you're all set!

[VeganCupcake]

Keep those suggestions coming! You've given me some choices to start thinking about!

DH told me last night that the company pays to rent tuxes for the male employees and does something else for the female employees, so no matter what, he's going to be wearing a tux. I've got to "match" that somehow.

I do have a beautiful Chinese silk qipao that was custom made for me, but that was a looooong time ago and I bet it doesn't fit. I don't think I could even get it over my hips, let alone zip it up.

[neshamamama]

I vote for a consignment shop...or goodwill...then you don't have to feel bad about only wearing it once or it not being in your desired size.

[lcaitlin]

I went to a wedding last weekend which was also the introduction of our baby to a large group of friends. I bought a nice "Boob" nursing dress for the occasion, but I thought it looked terrible when the day came around. It's really clingy in the stomach area -- so stupid since I assume that's the area most newly postpartum women want to camouflage!

So I scoured my closet and wound up going with a deep v wrap dress in a nice busy print. And of course a pair of trusty high-waisted Spanx pantyhose

How about a silk jersey wrap dress from ebay? You can usually find a big selection of Diane von Furstenberg dresses in nice prints - new and vintage - for a decent price. And the bonus is you can wear it often since they work great for breastfeeding.

[nerdymom]

Ebay is great for that type of stuff, but you do have to plan in advance, and be prepared to resell or have it altered if the fit isn't ideal.

Is there any way you'd consider having the qipao altered? Maybe you know someone who can cut it down to a tunic or a blouse? Or take it to a tailor and talk to them. Alterations are often cheaper than you think, especially in today's economy, a lot of mom and pop cleaners / alterations shops are hurting for business. Then you can wear some palazzio pants and spikey heels?

[VeganCupcake]

Originally Posted by nerdymom

Is there any way you'd consider having the qipao altered? Maybe you know someone who can cut it down to a tunic or a blouse? Or take it to a tailor and talk to them. Alterations are often cheaper than you think, especially in today's economy, a lot of mom and pop cleaners / alterations shops are hurting for business. Then you can wear some palazzio pants and spikey heels?

I would, totally, except that it would also require a generous expansion of the bust! I should see if that could be done.

[tjjazzy]

Originally Posted by lcaitlin

How about a silk jersey wrap dress from ebay? You can usually find a big selection of Diane von Furstenberg dresses in nice prints - new and vintage - for a decent price. And the bonus is you can wear it often since they work great for breastfeeding.

i'm dying to get something like this. how decent are the prices?

[VeganCupcake]

Originally Posted by tjjazzy

i'm dying to get something like this. how decent are the prices?

There was a nice one with a defined waist in a contrasting color that went for $99 earlier today. It wasn't quite my size.

I tried on my qipao today. It actually fits in the hips, thighs, and waist, but the zipper and buttons won't close up by the bust. There's about 3 inches between the sides of the zipper.

[nerdymom]

Originally Posted by VeganCupcake

There was a nice one with a defined waist in a contrasting color that went for $99 earlier today. It wasn't quite my size.

I tried on my qipao today. It actually fits in the hips, thighs, and waist, but the zipper and buttons won't close up by the bust. There's about 3 inches between the sides of the zipper.

I know I am going to have this problem postpartum since I didn't have much in the boob department pre-preg.

Can you take it to a tailor and see if they have any ideas? Maybe remove that portion of the zipper and do a lace-up backing, and wear a cute contrasting cropped jacket or wrap to cover up? If it zips/buttons in the front, can they do a cut-out in the back? It just seems like such a shame to let a piece like that go, since it was custom made and all.

[funfunkyfantastic]

Originally Posted by nerdymom

It can be easy to pick up a gown at a thrift shop

This is what I did at 4 weeks PP for the navy ball. Unfortunately I was only able to conceal so much chub and ended up looking a few months pregnant I guess. Cus, the lady taking my coat asked how far along I was! Eeek! I think I looked OK in my pictures. I was barely able to get my boobs in the dress I found at value village, and it was also very tight on me, even with the chub concealer thing I was wearing underneath.

[VeganCupcake]

See, the boobs are the issue. I think a gown that would fit on top would be too big on the bottom, so maybe separates are the way to go.

[Logan's mommy]

Originally Posted by funfunkyfantastic

This is what I did at 4 weeks PP for the navy ball. Unfortunately I was only able to conceal so much chub and ended up looking a few months pregnant I guess. Cus, the lady taking my coat asked how far along I was! Eeek! I think I looked OK in my pictures. I was barely able to get my boobs in the dress I found at value village, and it was also very tight on me, even with the chub concealer thing I was wearing underneath.

I was at a wedding last night and dh had the baby and wasn't close by and I was asked how far along I was. I said "I just had a baby a few weeks ago." To which the lady responded "That would be why you still have a bit of a belly" Can you believe that???

[VeganCupcake]

Originally Posted by Logan's mommy

I was at a wedding last night and dh had the baby and wasn't close by and I was asked how far along I was. I said "I just had a baby a few weeks ago." To which the lady responded "That would be why you still have a bit of a belly" Can you believe that???

Ouch! That lady did NOT make a good recovery from a social faux pas. I bet she's kicking herself for saying that.

[Logan's mommy]

I told dh and he kept telling me the rest of the night how awesome I looked and that I don't look pregnant (I do still, a little because of flub and extra skin... but I know I look good for 6 weeks pp)

[Logan's mommy]

And, I just have to share this picture with everyone, it's too cute!

Desmond in a suit.

[beka1977]

Are you taking your baby with you? I would wear black slacks, a black blouse, a really pretty sling, and my new babe! When in doubt, hide behind a cute baby!

[VeganCupcake]

Originally Posted by Logan's mommy

And, I just have to share this picture with everyone, it's too cute!

Desmond in a suit.

Oh my heavenly days, he is just adorable!

Originally Posted by beka1977

Are you taking your baby with you? I would wear black slacks, a black blouse, a really pretty sling, and my new babe! When in doubt, hide behind a cute baby!

Alas, babies are emphatically not invited. Baby Girl will be spending the evening with MIL. I know--with a cute baby in a sling (and I do have a very pretty one), I could practically go in my pajamas and nobody would notice.