How to look good post children

I am now 38, I have had 2 pregnancies (the last one age 36) and I really feel that you can tell this when you look at my body. Everything feels a bit floppy, saggy, droopy. Pert is a long-gone word, and all of this does get me down.

Whilst I couldn’t be happier about being able to have two pregnancies, to bring my two daughters into this world and to breastfeed them, it does make me sad to think back to my teen and 20-something pre-pregnancy body.

Woman on summer holiday in Corsica www.FranglaiseMummy.com

On holiday with Hubs in Corsica, pre-pregnancies, aged 26.

I try not to go on about this as I don’t want my daughters to overhear and start to be critical of themselves. But I do want to feel good about myself. I do want to look in the mirror and feel sexy. I do want to have that Pretty Woman moment where I wear a stunning dress and feel beautiful.

Until last week I did feel like that ship had sailed. Don’t get me wrong, I can put my glad rags and make-up on to go out, and I feel good about myself. But I feel like I’m making the best of what I’ve got at the age I’m at.

Then last weekend I got the buzz. I got the Pretty Woman feeling. I’m not going to sound very modest now, but I looked and felt AMAZING!

And I knew it wasn’t just me. I could tell by the appreciative looks and comments from Hubs that I’d nailed it. L added to it as well “Mummy, you will be the prettiest woman in the whole room”, although I think 7 year olds always say nice things to their mums when they’re dressed up 😉

What do you think?

The Pretty Dress Company Peplum outfit www.FranglaiseMummy.com

Feeling like one hot mamma!

Hubs and I were on our way to a friend’s wedding at the very swanky and beautiful Kensington Roof Gardens in London, and I was very kindly loaned this outfit from The Pretty Dress Company.

Hubs doesn’t scrub up too badly either. (Why is it that men only look better as they age?!?)

Couple dressed up for a wedding #theprettydresscompany www.FranglaiseMummy.com

With Hubs, all ready to go to the wedding.

It is not the first time an outfit has made me feel that way and every time it has been when I’ve been wearing The Pretty Dress Company clothes.

I’m astounded at how few people have heard of The Pretty Dress Company, as their clothes are beautiful, and somehow manage to hide flabby tummies, saggy bums and back fat.

Just to clarify, I’m not wearing Spanx (or anything similar) underneath my clothes, and I’ve got a couple of kilos (3-4lbs) I’ve been trying to shift since Easter, yet I felt sooooo good dressed like this. One word of advice when choosing clothes from The Pretty Dress Company, go for one size up from your normal size, as the styles won’t look flattering at all if they cling to every lump and bump because they’re too small and too tight.

Their clothes are elasticated and incredibly comfortable to wear and move in. We got the tube to the wedding so there was a fair amount of walking involved. Then, it being a wedding, there was dancing. And Hubs kindly (!) filmed me, without me knowing. But in the interest of showing you how easy it is to dance in the outfit, I’m sharing it with you here. (Yes, I know I’m a terrible dancer, and yes, I know that the finger in the air dance is far from being classy but it’s old school Madonna, and after a few glasses of wine the music carries you away a bit!)

I have loved The Pretty Dress Company clothes since wearing my first dress of theirs 4 years ago.

Green The Pretty Dress Company dress www.FranglaiseMummy.com

With Hubs at my sister’s wedding in 2010

I don’t just love their clothes, I also love what they’re about. Everything is designed and made in the UK, and they aim to “capture and enhance your personal style”.

Their website puts it perfectly:

“our dresses take you back to a feeling of true show stopping femininity and confidence. Tailoring is key in our designs and our dresses have just the right cuts to hold you in, push you up and hug your curves in all the right places!”

It certainly ticks all the right boxes for me.

The Pretty Dress Company peplum outfit back view www.FranglaiseMummy.com

Back view of my outfit.

What do you need to know?

I mixed and matched the Rimini Coral Lace Peplum top with the Patricia Coral Lace Pencil Skirt. This can be a great alternative to a dress if the size of your top half wildly differs from that of your bottom half.

The peplum top is £69 and the pencil skirt is £65. I think this is excellent value for money, especially as you could mix them with different items to create other outfits. Not to mention the fact you are supporting UK industry here!

Now I just need to find a way to recapture that feeling every day….

If you like this outfit and are going to Britmums Live in a few weeks, look out for me as I’ll be showcasing some more The Pretty Dress Company clothes there.

Disclosure: I was loaned this outfit by The Pretty Dress Company in exchange for this honest review. As ever all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m linking this blog post up with Vicki over at Mummy’s Got Style and her Fashion Friday linky, click on the image below to see some other style blog posts:

Fashion Friday on MummysGotStyle.com

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10 Responses

  1. Love it, gorgeous cut, gorgeous colour, and what a swanky venue! I’m a fan of the brand, but have never actually worn one of their dresses yet – definitely on my to-do list.

    #FashionFriday
    fashion-mommy recently posted…Beauty Review – Antipodes Divine Face OilMy Profile

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      You should really try their outfits out – this is my 4th outfit of theirs that I’ve worn, and in each one I really do feel a million dollars!

  2. Oh my goodness! Trust me when I say you have absolutely nothing to worry about! You look sensational. That colour and shape is fabulous on you and (am I allowed to say this?!) I have serious boob envy! 🙂

    You may think you’re not as pert as you once were, but I have some news for you…you are still a GODDESS. Please realise it x

    With love (and pouts) Kate / Pouting In Heels. #fashionfriday

    P.S The company sounds amazing. Will definitely check them out.
    Katie / Pouting In Heels recently posted…FRIDAY FIVE: Five reasons you should trust your instinctsMy Profile

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      Thank you, thank you, thank you. But Wonderbra have to be thanked too for adding the necessary scaffolding 😉 The Pretty Dress Company really have a lot to be thanked for though, believe me!

  3. Oh my gosh I agree, you look absolutely STUNNING, you have an incredible body and are beautiful, you better believe it lady-stunning dress too! Thanks for linking up to #fashionfriday
    Mummy’s Got Style recently posted…My Style at the Cannes Film FestivalMy Profile

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      Thank you – believe me the dress has an awful lot to do with it 🙂

  4. You look amazing! Will definitely be checking out your other outfits at Brit Mums lovely x
    Michelle @ Bod for tea recently posted…Review: Interactive adventure story Charly the VetMy Profile

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      Thanks lovely – we can compare our outfits and our colours at Britmums Live….just hope I can handle the shoes that need to accompany such glam!

  5. Katie says:

    You look bloody stunning Sophie!! AMAZING figure! 🙂 x
    Katie recently posted…A Family Portrait For MayMy Profile

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      Thank you lovely lady – it’s amazing what a good dress can do. Believe me! x

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