Here’s the thing. I was contacted by lingerie group Berlei. They asked if I’d be willing to try out their new brand Dig Free legwear. As part of the arrangement, they provided a one-off payment to purchase clothes. I was meant to wear my stockings and go out shopping. At the end of my shopping experience I was to write a review. Did the stockings ride up? Did they suck my tummy in? Did they dig into my belly?
I’m not one to turn down a shopping trip, yet with my husband away for work and school holidays just beginning I had to turn to my trusty friend – the internet. So, I started looking at my favourite websites. I figured I’d buy a gorgeous black cocktail dress to wear with the stockings. I was going to plan a night out and wear my new dress and trial the stockings. I found a few things I adored, but each time I clicked on size 16 or extra large, they had already sold out. Over and over again, I was disappointed. All the other options I found for larger women were frumpy.
That’s ok, I thought, and started trawling websites for my usual “go-to” clothes – stretch jeggings, ponchos, oversized tees. If you’ve got a saggy baby-belly like me you know exactly what I was looking for. Instead of feeling excited and grateful, I felt sad. I’ve let myself down.
I haven’t lost any of the weight I’ve piled on over the past year. I feel out of shape and find shopping terribly depressing. I hardly shop at stores because I’d rather experience the disappointment of not fitting into my clothes, at home, not with some chipper, size 8 teenage shop assistant hovering outside the change room. I’d rather cry in privacy.
Then I had a epiphany. I got the Berlei “suck-my-tummy-in” stockings out of their pack and slipped them on. They have a stretchy seam-free band around the waist which pulled my belly in smooth. If I could change anything, I’d make the band wider as it didn’t quite cover all my flabby belly. Yet, they do work well as shape-wear. They are less bulky, are silky and not so tight you can’t even pull them on. I grabbed my favourite dress out of my wardrobe and slipped it on. It felt new again. I did the same thing with my favourite pants. It’s amazing what a good pair of legwear can do.
And here’s the plug – you can get the new range of Berlei from Myer, David Jones, specialty stores and online at www.berlei.com.au
And then I knew what I’d do – I’d treat myself. So, I got a new Coach Bag.
This one to be precise.
I suddenly didn’t feel so crappy anymore. Bags (and shoes) help make my crap days turn into good days.
To celebrate the release of their new range of Dig-Free and Barely There legwear, Berlei is giving one Aussie blog reader a chance to win $1,000 to spend on a wardrobe of their choice plus some free Berlei product. To be in the running to win, just leave your email address and the answer to this question in the comments:
One winner will be chosen from all entries received across all the participating blogs so make it creative, original and heartfelt. I’d love to see a bigwords’ reader win!
Good luck
bigwords x
Disclaimer: bigwords was paid to write this post and was also gifted Berlei product and a pre-paid credit card to go shopping. She has an unnatural love for her new bag.
Hi, I'm Bianca Wordley, I write about life.
OMG. What a great prize! Like super great! Ok. My favourite happy outfit is a black and white Leona Edmiston dress. Talk about FLATTERING! It flatters the hell out of my lumpen figure. If I won money for clothes I would Leona Edmiston the ever loving heck out of my wardrobe *not a sponsored post I just freaking love her frocks*. Nobody can feel like poo in a Leona. There I’ve said it. It turns my frown upside down like a MOFO! Ok. I think I’ve made my point. When I win you can contact me at slapdashmama@gmail.com
I’ve never really thought about having a ‘happy’ outfit but it depends I guess. Some days it is a dress or skirt something pretty and girly to remind me I am one some days it is just something comfortable. I love it when I get to wear a long ‘good’ dress … I have a pretty blue chiffon one that makes me feel beautiful and slim and tall and confident … like a princess. The most recent one was a black top I bought to wear to a funeral … funny that it could be feel good clothes but is just made me feel like I looked good. But the outfit that makes me feel the best is no shoes … yep bare feet, especially if they get to walk on sand or green grass. That is an easy happy outfit and one that makes me feel the best, the most free and happy.
meral_087@hotmail.com
So I am writing this in bed with my big bloated belly wondering if I should wear my stripy black and grey dress tomorrow or the beige knit dress. Yes. I agree. Go with the stripes.
There are a couple of reasons I like the stripy dress. It’s fun. Has slightly puffy sleeves and when worn with tights and boots makes me feel sexy(ish).
But here’s the thing. I’m bloated because I’m doing IVF and thanks to a lovely lady in a cafe asking me if I’m pregnant I’ll probably not feel my best when I wear that dress tomorrow.
Tomorrow I am donating my eggs for the second time to a lady I met online. Last time I donated they said to wear loose clothing and tracksuit pants, so I did. And felt completely daggy and have since destroyed the afore mentioned pants and they are now a running joke between me and the egg recipient.
So instead tomorrow I’m going to wear that stripy dress and some tights (probably maternity because I haven’t bought tights for 3.5 years) and I’m going to feel good and wear tight clothes instead of loose ones because this time it is going to work.
I say that I’m not superstitious (usually while touching wood) but tomorrow I’m going to wear clothes that make me feel good and be positive.
My ol’ faithful target black capri pants with an elastic waist and a nice baggy top with accessories like necklaces and cuff, always chic and always a fail safe outfit, ballet flats for a casual look or I can add heeled boots to have a more afternoon look. Unfortunately these pants are almost having its day and cannot find another one like it! Hoping my gregarious personality distracts peoples eyes from my flabby baby belly. As my son calls it, his old home!
Anything that’s not yoga pants and an old, too tight top. I’ve gone back to wearing bright colours in the last year and they always make me feel lighter.
My favourite feel good outfit post baby number 2 is all from Sussan. It is a pair of black & white print pants – skinny leg, to the ankle. A black rectangle shirt, wider than long, that flows to mid bum, it floats not clings, & pair of blue & green beads.
It covers the bits that I don’t like, it makes my legs seem longer & every time I wear it, someone comments on how good I am looking.
It took me a while to get to this happy, positive place. The turning point occurred when 12 months after baby number 2, I was feeling depressed about going to my brother’s engagement party. I love a party. I love my brother. I love his fiancee. I am excited about them getting married. But this party was going to be filled with their friends. Think lots of young & beautiful media types and hairdressers. Not many sleep deprived, not so youthful mums.
Mmmmm what to wear.. Clearly nothing pre baby fabulous fits. I checkout out Myer, no one to help. I checked out DJ’s, one person tried to help. When I explained about the party, the beautiful people, the fact I wanted to hide this bit (waving around my midriff) She got me a shirt dress with a fabric belt at the waist. She was clearly not listening, just finding the one thing she had in my size in her label.. of course a shirt dress with a belt is so flattering to an apple shaped tummy…NOT…. Promising the boys mummy was nearly finished we would just have a quick look in this last shop. I walked the pram into Sussan, did a broad scan & turned to leave, when a very kind (yes probably size 8 & young) sales assistant, stopped me & asked if I was looking for something in particular. She actually offered to help me! I know this is crazy. I was in a retail shop, I was looking to spend money. I nearly checked to see if there was a film crew somewhere. After I explained again about the party & the beautiful people & hiding the bits she asked me lots of questions, do I like this colour? what about a print? what about these pants do I want to where a dress, a skirt, pants? She dumped me in the changing room with about 8 items & then kept coming back to see, comment & offer another item to try. Comparing each item & why it did or didn’t work. & insisting I at least try an item, despite my saying things like…. oh I don’t think I could where THAT…… She even entertained the grumpy children. She spent 20 mins making me feel good, she did not lie. When something did not work, she told me. When she thought it did & I didn’t feel sure we put is aside while I tried something else. I left the shop feeling lighter. I was the same size, and I was in the mood for a party when we arrived the following week. I felt comfortable. I might not be as young or skinny, but I have an awesome husband & 2 great kids & I felt that, instead of how unhappy I have been about my weight. & every time I where this outfit, someone tells me how great I am looking.
I would love to do some more shopping. 😉
My favourite go to outfit would have to be my pjs. I am comfy, warm and happy. It is a win win situation. Hmm except if I have to leave the house.. Is it not socially acceptable to wear your pajamas shopping?
My go to outfit is a blue cotton skirt with flowers on it. I have had it for probably three years and I would say I used to wear it at least twice a week paired with different tops, legging, jumpers and shoes. Sadly though I wore it to work one day and it got caught on a table and ripped. I tried to fix it myself but its just not the same, the good thing about that though it now I can go out and find a new go to, and my skirt and I will always share the fond memories of the time we did have together.
email is latolatola@hotmail.com
BEST choice ever! By the way, do those tights come in other colours? I am hoping they do charcoal! My fave make-me-feel spesh outfit….I don’t have one! I used to when I was a different size but not now. For me, shoes maketh the outfit and I have a pair of sparkly ones for super lovely occasions and a pair of two tone brogue look mary-jane heels that have ribbon on them. They sound weird but they’re not and I love them. And that bag, it’s divine B!
“I hardly shop at stores because I’d rather experience the disappointment of not fitting into my clothes, at home, not with some chipper, size 8 teenage shop assistant hovering outside the change room. I’d rather cry in privacy”
….man…that is me too! And here I was thinking online shopping was purely a matter of convenience for me, it’s not…it’s actually about protection…protecting that already incredibly fragile part of me that can fall to pieces at a glance of my “child bearing” hips (as my Grandmother innocently commented) or my massive bazoonkas (nah…nothing sexy about them…more jersey cow than hot filly) in an unexpected mirror.
Anyway…it’s not so bad. I have now, in my 40’s, finally figured out my style. I exercise for health rather than looks and I eat good whole food (no skinny minnie margarine in this house!). My favourite go-to outfit is anything with layers. Hide the icky bits, and with tentative courage, expose the better bits. Massive fan of Vigorella. Stretchy but can still hold a shape. I shop for it all the time…online, of course.
My favourite go to outfit is layered. I figure if i keep the look busy no one will see my flab or worse, ask me when I’m expecting! anyways, the out fit is jeggings, knee high boots. A tunic length top and this awesome cape/cardi (all items black except for the dark blue jeggings) sometimes i wear a brightly coloured tunic top to mix up the look. As of yet, its been too warm to wear it yet in Perth. I’m in the worst shape of my whole life so hurry up winter
Ha, sadly my go to outfit is almost all black. Black skinny jeans from target and a black baggy top with studded shoulders from cotton on. I think it’s because no matter what I feel “safe”. Safe from stains, safe from too much attention, not overdressed but not underdressed etc. Plus if I wear bright coloured accessories it distracts from my mumsy bulges. And like you I can always get a new bag and shoes to feel like new.
My favourite go-to-outfit is my fitted dark blue jeans with a black top. Comfy, practical and can be dressed up or down to suit any occasion. Plus anything I am wearing when I drink my divine skim, vanilla latte. The smooth velvety taste of the coffee makes me feel so good, I feel great in whatever go-to outfit I have on.
jenhale24@gmail.com
In the days when I lived in SA, my go to outfit was always a cute pair of jeans, some killer boots, a shirt and my favourite red military jacket – fitted at the waist, floaty around the bum. I was cute – really, really cute.
Then I moved to Darwin! Holy shit, it was like moving to another planet! The planet of the burning, red, stupid sun and 100% humidity!! Suddenly jeans and boots (not to mention anything made of synthetic fabric) were the enemy, and I have to admit – 10 years later – I still haven’t found my style. There is a part of me that stubbornly refuses to move on from knowing I can look really good in the right clothes – if only I could bloody find them again.
I just happen to live in the one capital city that time, fashion and modern convenience forgot. Lucky me.
I do love a good dress, and I admit I have a love for 50’s style dresses or just something A-line that won’t make my mummy tummy too obvious. But, honestly, Darwin just doesn’t have the variety of stores or the culture for what I’m looking for.
So I’m a Target girl if it’s not something online. Because other options include market hippy, tourist clothing, or nothing. And market hippy and tourist are just not going to happen.
Bubba #2 is now 6 months old, I have put on the weight I lost during my pregnancy (I have a permanent bruise on my arse where I kick myself everyday for that) and I am now looking down the barrel of needing a new wardrobe because the maternity is too big, and the clothes I do have are falling apart from loyal love.
If I won this, the online shopping community would love me forever.
cricket001@live.com
Oh yes! A great bag and shoes, plus a little bit of bling are my saviours right now. We don’t have the budget for a big spend on me, and the after effects of my three progeny combined with my slack-arse attempts at regular exercise mean clothes shopping is a horrendous experience. But I did buy a fabulous black and white patterned wrap dress from the Birdsnest website, which I love, and combined with my high black wedges, makes me feel like I am a contender again. But I can’t wear it everyday. So I mostly just hide behind a big bag. I like your new bag too. X angiebetts@bigpond.com
Hmmm when I need a pick me up its red lipstick. It makes me feel good.
Thanks for letting us know it wasn’t you pictured at the start – I wouldn’t have realised ;)9
My go-to (in winter) to turn an off day into a good would have to be a choice between my jeans with a big jumper; track pants with a big jumper or my pjs with dressing gown 🙂
Birdie
I totally get where you are at! My go to would be my trenery skinnies that are high waisted and very elastic to suck me in, my knee highs, a tunic top and waterfall style drapey cardi. I feel like I’m channelling Asher kedi but in reality i look nothing like her.
I’m with you, fantastic shoes or a bag always make me feel better, no matter what I’m wearing/feeling! I usually go for one of my handmade (from old curtains or sheets) vintage-style dresses with tights and boots – and multiple layers depending on weather (thanks Melbourne). That way my lumpier bits are cunningly disguised by floaty dresses and tights! Thanks for writing an honest and genuine review. Angela – duellers@gmail.com.
Having had a baby two years ago, I haven’t really gotten back into shape. And I feel, a bit, well not like me.
The thing is I LOVE clothes, love them but I don’t fit into most of my old clothes.
But luckily I have an amazing go-to outfit that makes me feel a million bucks. It is an amazing Alpha 60 dress that I wear with either tights and lots, sandals or with leather leggings and heels.
I, like you B love handbags and I always carry my trusty LV that my boy got me in another, London living life. Spoilt, I know.
The thing I always say to my girls is that no matter how much we hate our baby bellies, we bloody love our kids and in the end it doesn’t matter, well unless your desperate to wear a bikini. Hah, never.