What worked well for me: shift dresses with a tie waist belt (so can tighten over time) and forgiving sheath dresses with a blazer over. Both can look great at higher weight and keep looking great as you get back down to your norm. I also did well with a few A line dresses, which are pretty forgiving too.

Could you do something like this, dressed up with accessories and maybe tailored so the hem doesn't have that shirt shape to it: https://www.anntaylor.com/petites/petite-dresses/cata000028/834725.html?priceSort=DES

Get some nice clothes for the size you are now. 1-2 years from now you'll want some new clothes anyway.

Don't start a new job with clothes you don't feel good in.

Congrats on the kid and the job.

I always lost the baby weight within the first week post partum. I only gained 15lbs per pregnancy (have 3 kids) I was an XS/S and still am...19 years later.

I'd say buy some new nice things for the size you are now. You need to looks nice and dress for the body you currently have. You don't need much either. Look up the 10 item wardrobe...it's easy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never lost the weight. The more kids you have the less time and your body / metabolism just isn't the same. More likely it'll take 5-10 years if ever so I would get clothes you feel comfortable in.

Don’t listen to this poster - work on losing the weight in a healthy manner. I have 3 kids and gain 60 pounds each time as well. I am back to my normal clothes. Size 4. I was 36 when I had my last kid.

Congrats size 4. I've never been a size 4 even as an elite althete so obviously we have different metabolisms and steady states.

Anonymous wrote:I would buy some high quality second hand clothes from the Real Real from brands that I know I like and work for me.

In my current size that is. High end without the price tag. And send back to the RealReal as my weight changes.

I would buy some high quality second hand clothes from the Real Real from brands that I know I like and work for me.

Anonymous wrote:Never lost the weight. The more kids you have the less time and your body / metabolism just isn't the same. More likely it'll take 5-10 years if ever so I would get clothes you feel comfortable in.

Don’t listen to this poster - work on losing the weight in a healthy manner. I have 3 kids and gain 60 pounds each time as well. I am back to my normal clothes. Size 4. I was 36 when I had my last kid.

Anonymous wrote:Do you need suits? Or can you get away with sweaters and shirts?

I'm a big fan of Macy's line of Calvin Klein work dresses, like this.
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/calvin-klein-womens-belted-fit-flare-midi-dress?ID=15087571

And I've also found them at Nordstrom Rack.

Another Nordstrom Rack brand that I found works is Max Studio.
https://www.nordstromrack.com/s/max-studio-twill-easy-wide-leg-trouser/6770964

I have been successful at the Tysons Rack location. I look for things that are somewhat fitted but with some forgiveness.

+1 to this. I also find Calvin Klein dresses to be the most forgiving.

Do you need suits? Or can you get away with sweaters and shirts?

I'm a big fan of Macy's line of Calvin Klein work dresses, like this.
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/calvin-klein-womens-belted-fit-flare-midi-dress?ID=15087571

And I've also found them at Nordstrom Rack.

Another Nordstrom Rack brand that I found works is Max Studio.
https://www.nordstromrack.com/s/max-studio-twill-easy-wide-leg-trouser/6770964

I have been successful at the Tysons Rack location. I look for things that are somewhat fitted but with some forgiveness.

I would focus on versatility. So a black suit with pants and a skirt that you can wear 6 ways instead of one loud dress that’s hard to repeat. But other than that you need clothes that fit you well now and are appropriate. Clothes don’t last forever anyway. You’ll have plenty of time to wear them. Some things you might tailor or wear oversized. Some things you’ll let go and replace but you probably would anyway.

I'd wear cheaper things for now, like from Macy's, and then buy more expensive once you're at your regular weight. Buy colors now that are boring neutrals so nobody notices that you rewear them twice in the same week.

Never lost the weight. The more kids you have the less time and your body / metabolism just isn't the same. More likely it'll take 5-10 years if ever so I would get clothes you feel comfortable in.

Get 2 nice expensive outfits and the rest cheap clothes.

Nearly ten months postpartum from third (and last!) kid, still holding onto weight that puts me a couple sizes over my norm: I am typically a 6/8, currently a 10/12. (I gain a ton of weight when pregnant and it always takes 1.5-2 years to get back to prepregnancy shape…expecting the same this time.)

Anyway! I am starting an exciting new job working in the C-suite (though not C level), so obviously I want to dress to impress. Given the cost of nice office wear, should I try to wear cheaper things? Or can I have nicer items tailored down multiple sizes over time? Has anyone BTDT?

Please help!