Post # 1

Member
1510 posts
Bumble bee
Hey Bees!
I’m stressed. Our engagement photos are a week from today. I have no idea what to wear. I want to look nice in the pictures, but I’m not sure what to do.
I have never found my ‘style’ and don’t even feel comfortable in my everyday clothes. Generally I wear tees/jeans or tanks/shorts. I have some dresses which I actually like, but they no longer fit and trying on clothes (at home or at a store) is rather depressing.
Also, I am in year two of recovery from years of eating disorders. And it all goes straight to my belly which makes me look pregnant most of the time (I garauntee you I’m not… or else I have been for the past two years!). They said it would even out over time, it was just from recovery, but it hasn’t for me. I know my self image has still got to be at least somewhat distorted, but I am still not comfortable with my body or clothes.
So yeah. I don’t have any idea what to wear. I don’t want to be ashamed of these pictures. I want to be able to confidently share them with our friends and family, but in order to do that I have to find some clothes that flatter my body and keep me comfortable. Can you help dress me? Haha. I’m sure I’ll have o go out and buy something. But what would look good on my body type?
(Please don’t tell me that I don’t have anything to worry about and that I am stressing for no reason. I still feel uncomfortable in my clothes, even if you tell me I shouldn’t be. Also, please do not accuse me of fishing for compliments. I don’t want any compliments, I want someone to help me dress my body)
I’m including some pictures of me so you can get a feel for my body shape and a picture of what I wear on a general daily basis. Please help me figure out what will look okay on my shape!
Thanks yall
(sorry for the bad paint skills, haha. Trying to get rid of any identifying information)

-
This topic was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by
LeonardLady.
Post # 2

Member
9917 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
I have a similar body shape to you, where my belly sticks out…I can only wear one kind of dress and feel comfortable. It’s this cut they have at the Gap called “fit and flare”. It’s smaller in the middle, right where you are smaller, and then it flares out, but does not make you look pregnant!
Really the only way I find clothes to wear is by trying on a lot of things and trying not to cry. I’d start at the Gap, though. Good luck.
Post # 3

Member
1510 posts
Bumble bee
peachacid: Thank you! I will definitely start there after work this week.
Anone else have more ideas?
Post # 4

Member
46323 posts
Honey Beekeeper
LeonardLady: Show off your great legs and wear something that skims the tummy. Don’t wear things too loose or it makes you look bigger. A longer tunic top and skinny jeans is a great casual look. Or wear a sheer kimono over a tee.


wear a dress with contrasting patterns- but again just skimming the body

Post # 5

Member
8696 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
LeonardLady: I would check Asos (or anywhere really) for a skater or shift style dress.
Post # 6

Member
309 posts
Helper bee
LeonardLady: Holy Molly! it could have been a pic of me!!!!!!!!
Ok I will let you know I ‘ve had the same dilemma with the clothes for photoshoot – nothing i like fitted any more and I didnt want to look like a cow and boy oh boy trying things on in store was absolutely devastating!
I bought me a secret supporting underwear – such super tight oversized underpants that pulled in my thighs belly and hips. I dont have a massive bust so no worries there.
So you Have to have to sort out your tummy issue IF it makes you uncomfortable!!! So support underwear is the way to go, I only worn mine once!
I wanted to have a ROMANTIC look so I went for a black polka dot ‘gypsy’ style top and white long flowwy skirt. The things I wanted to wear originally ( white corset top with sweetheart neckline and off shoulder sleeves) did not fit any more.
I promise you this what i call ‘my secret bridget jones underwear’ actually saved my pics! It was super hot ( +36 c!) and I thought heck one more hour of that and I will pass out lol but it was worth it.
You have a lovely thin waist so dont hide it by anything baggy!!! It will make you look bigger than you are, so a gentle A line should do the trick ( unless you want to wear jeans or trousers then you will need something fitted on the hips, with belt going across the hips) and flared from the knee down or bootcut.
DO NOT wear skinny jeans! They make pear shaped girls look like they have MASSIVE backside! Flared or at the very least straight leg is the way to go for us!
Decide what style you want to go – romantic, sporty, casual, glamorous… where is the shoot? On the beach or in the city?
I think it is super important to wear a flattering top – you will get lots of portrait shots, so you want something nice around your neck and bust area that would not distract from your face!
Best of luck!
Post # 7

Member
309 posts
Helper bee
peachacid: Thank you for fit and flare suggestion, I really need a dress so will look into this style!!!
Post # 8

Member
314 posts
Helper bee
my shape and tummy are very much like yours. I like wearing long shirts I feel it helps conceal it with dresses I also like belts ruched band etc because it drasw the attention to the wAist. I agree with pp fit and flare is the way to go
Post # 9

Member
1909 posts
Buzzing bee
I would wear skinny jeans to show off your cute booty and a loose-ish shirt that doesn’t hug the belly. You’ll look great, don’t worry! 🙂
Post # 10

Member
2854 posts
Sugar bee
LeonardLady: Try an empire dress (fitted under the bust and then flows from there) Since you have nice legs, you might want to have a short length.
Post # 11

Member
442 posts
Helper bee
LeonardLady: I second peachacid, I have a bit of a tummy and fit and flare style dresses hide it perfectly! You have lovely legs and a good waist and this style of dress will show them off well :)<br />
Post # 12

Member
74 posts
Worker bee
I know exactly how you feel. I’m also recovered from an eating disorder and have a very similar body type to yours. I had the same problem trying to dress myself for our engagement pictures, and I didn’t figure out what to wear until the night before.
I found the outfit I was most comfortable in was a slightly loose top (with a pattern to distract from my belly), a light jacket, and jeans. Everything I wanted covered was covered, but I didn’t look like I was trying to hide myself.
Post # 13

Member
1510 posts
Bumble bee
peachacid: Thank you SO much for the fit and flair suggestion! I bought two of those dresses from Gap, and I absolutely LOVE how I look in them 🙂 Here is one of the sneak peaks we got from our photo session today:

And just because it is funny… one of the dresses I got TOTALLY matches how I painted my kitchen!
Where’s Waldo?

Post # 14

Member
1320 posts
Bumble bee
Very cute dress and that’s funny about the kitchen!
Post # 15

Member
305 posts
Helper bee
The dress was perfect, and the kitchen photo is hilarious! You should have taken one with your fiance “looking” for you, and you just standing against the wall!