Graduation dress - postpartum

[Ravenclaw]

DH just told me he really wants to go to graduation this year (he's not graduating but he's worked closely with the 2 outgoing senior fellows).

I'm freaking out about finding a dress. I'm 10 weeks postpartum and have about 20 more lbs to lose, which looks like more on my small (5'1) frame. I basically have one week to find a flattering dress. Add to that, for religious reasons, it needs to be down to my ankles, and I'll need to wear a cropped cardi or something to cover my arms, and probably needless to say, but no cleavage. Any ideas on what to wear without looking like a frumpy fat mess? I think it's impossible to find something... I'll just tell DH to go alone.

[medpedspouse]

How do you feel about maxi dresses? Was thinking about an empire waist one, with a cami underneath if it is too low and a cardi? Old Navy has all colors of cropped cardigans. Red and this dress would be cute...I think. How dressy is this dinner?
http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product...relatedProduct

[Pollyanna]

Lots of the maxi dresses out there are really flattering and hide a multitude of sins, and baby weight. Could you do something like this: http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com...&maxPg=1&size= with a simple shrug to cover your arms and maybe add some Spanx underneath to make you feel more comfortable?

[Mrs. MD, Esq.]

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/caslon-h...rigin=category - this is a halter, but a cardigan would cover it up and it's flowy enough that you might be more comfortable!

Or this http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/caslon-h...rigin=category

Or this http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/suzi-chi...rigin=category

Or this http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/donna-mo...rigin=category

[Mrs. MD, Esq.]

This one is a really pretty print: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/calvin-k...rigin=category

[medpedspouse]

Here's another. If it is more of a dressier affair, I think this would look really cute with a cardi and blingy accessories.
http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do...scid=903332002

[Ravenclaw]

Thanks guys. I think maxi dresses are a good idea. I'm hoping I'll get a chance to shop this weekend but since DH is on call, it's unlikely. I might order a few online from stores with a good return policy. Otherwise, the only real day I'll have to shop in person is the day of the graduation, which is cutting it so close.
Not sure how dressy it is...it's not even a dinner, just drinks and appetizers. If I can't find anything, DH can go alone. The other fellows' wives are real fashionistas, so unless I find something that looks amazing on me, I really don't want to go!

[diggitydot]

I love maxi dresses and will mourn when they're officially out-of-style, but another style may work better for you. I'm a good 6" taller and they trip me sometimes. I can only imagine the hemming issues involved for anyone smaller.

Maybe an empire waist with an a-line skirt?

http://m.nordstrom.com/Product/Detai...?origin=browse

http://m.nordstrom.com/Product/Detai...?origin=browse

http://m.nordstrom.com/Product/Detai...?origin=browse

I'm not a hot pink fan, so I'd go for the other two, but that style hides new mommy tummy and new mommy boobies really well.

[Cinderella]

Oh I love the dresses linked here! I would recommend any long sleeved wrap around but then you'd have the issue of cleavage. I can think of the prefect dress though from Ann Taylor. It was a gorgeous purple dress that covered the cleavage and had purple sheer sleeves for the hotter months with snap cuffs. There was a ribbon at the waist and it was knee length. I looks very classy and was under $100 but I don't see it on their site.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

I like Maxi dresses but as a fellow midget ( 5'0" here), it can be hard to get one to fit without hemming. I'd suggest ordering some hem tape online so you can fix it yourself on the fly since you're tight on time. Also, TJMaxx and Marshall's have a ton of Maxi dresses right now if you want to try them on without ordering.

[Ravenclaw]

Lily - thank you! I love the Zara skirt...too bad it's OOS. I like the John Lewis dress too but there's no way it will get here in time.

I'm bookmarking your ideas and will try to find something similar when I go shopping. I have a few wedges I think will work depending on what I find. Thank you so much!

[Ravenclaw]

Thanks again for all of the help guys. The graduation was really weird...quite a few of the people graduating/being honored didn't even show up. I ended up finding a green maxi dress at TJMaxx that I hemmed and wore it with a gold sparkly cardigan and beige open-toed wedges, and I bought some gold bangles and a long necklace from Kohls's to dress it up more. I'm glad I got dressed up but I really didn't need to stress out about it. It was so much different than DH's residencies' graduations!

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Thanks again for all of the help guys. The graduation was really weird...quite a few of the people graduating/being honored didn't even show up. I ended up finding a green maxi dress at TJMaxx that I hemmed and wore it with a gold sparkly cardigan and beige open-toed wedges, and I bought some gold bangles and a long necklace from Kohls's to dress it up more. I'm glad I got dressed up but I really didn't need to stress out about it. It was so much different than DH's residencies' graduations!

Glad it worked out - your outfit sounded great! Post a pic!!!

[medpedspouse]

Thanks again for all of the help guys. The graduation was really weird...quite a few of the people graduating/being honored didn't even show up. I ended up finding a green maxi dress at TJMaxx that I hemmed and wore it with a gold sparkly cardigan and beige open-toed wedges, and I bought some gold bangles and a long necklace from Kohls's to dress it up more. I'm glad I got dressed up but I really didn't need to stress out about it. It was so much different than DH's residencies' graduations!

Sounds like a fab outfit. Maybe your DH needs to plan a date night so you can wear it again.

[Ravenclaw]

Will try to post a pic!

I really want to get that Zara skirt LSW posted. I keep checking for it to come back in stock. My excuse is I'll need to get more dressy outfits for this year coming up anyways!