I received a request for some advice that I thought I would share with all because I know this is a common struggle that we women deal with. The question has been edited slightly for space and privacy.
The Question:
My style advice question is for my farther-in-laws upcoming wedding. It is a Saturday afternoon wedding, very small and informal, near the beach. I am having a real difficult time finding something to wear … I have had two babies in less than two years….and my body is still trying to recover. Even though I worked out during my last pregnancy and ate sensibly I am still trying to shed those pregnancy pounds and the hips don’t seem to be budging… I need to find something to wear to this wedding. My almost 2 year old daughter is the flower girl in the wedding and I am supposed to help her make it down the aisle. I formerly was a size 4. Now I am probably somewhere around a size 10/12 with major hip action going on. I am 5′ 5" tall and much smaller on top than on the bottom. The wedding colors are white and and a blue lavender color. I would prefer to wear a dark color like black or brown mixed with a light blue color and something that covers my arms. I want something that I feel pretty in and comfortable. I have blond hair that is cut into a bob a little above my shoulders. It is naturally curly and I wear it both straight and curly and could even wear it up for the wedding. I am very fair, … blue eyes and no freckles. I love a-line skirts and dresses. I would like something that I can wear to the wedding, but then wear during the warmer months to church or a nice evening out. I will also need something to wear to the reherseal dinner the night before. I would appreciate your advice.
My Reply:
Your’s is a great question, because truly, you are not the only one dealing with figure frustrations. If it is not hips, its boobs or calves, or arms or something! The first thing you need to realize is that your body is beautiful. God created it and used it to bring two beautiful children into the world. There is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. And honestly, unless you put two big bulls eyes on your hips, no one is going to think a second about them. (They are too busy worrying about themselves most of the time.)
Second, the key to good style is being a good illusion artist, making things look bigger, or smaller, or longer or shorter … than they really are. Our goal is to create balance, draw the eye upward, and represent who you are. You will want to find things that minimize the hips, are slimming and add a little "weight" or visual interest to the upper half of your body.
Undergarments:
To start you can look at your undergarments. There are two pieces that you will want to consider. The first is a good push-up bra. Giving a little boost to your top half can better balance what’s going on below. You will be surprised. The second is a thigh slimming shapper. They come in a variety of versions, some cinch in the wasit as well.
Flexees® "One Fabulous Body" Moderate Control Thigh Slimmer, Macy’s, $26.00
Dresses:
Once your foundation garments are set, then you can search for the dress. I’d recommend a dress for a beach wedding along with a wrap or jacket because the weather at the beach can be iffy at times.
Style&co. Floral-Print Charmeuse Dress Mossimo® Black: Linen Dress – Teal
1. Cinch the waist and flow away from the hips: I like the above dresses because they seem to cinch in a little above the waist line and then flow away from the lower half of the body. Choose soft, flowy fabrics. Nothing too stiff. What ever you choose should not cling to you hips.
2. Draw the focus up: The first dress also highlights the upper half of your body with the scoop neckline and slightly puffed sleeves. Avoid things like halter tops because they will minimize the top half of your body even more.
3. Go for light, bright colors with medium prints: The last thing I like about the first dress is the color and print. Because you are so fair, black or any other dark color is going to be way too overpowering for you. And the print is a nice size … a dianty print will only make larger things look bigger. If you are choosing something with blocks of color besure that the lightest color is on the top and not at your hip area. (light colors come forward more visually so they will draw the eye more).
Separates:
If you are finding that when something fits on the top it is too tight on the bottom and when it fits on the bottom, it is too big on top, then separates are the way to go. The beauty of separates is that they can be much more versatile than a dress.
From Macys
Alfani Floral-Print Silk Skirt, Now $66.75 Calvin Klein Twill Belted Crew-Neck Jacket $148.00
O Oscar Embroidered Godet Skirt
, $119.00 INC® Printed Short Belted Jacket $129.00
Skirts & Slacks: Keep them flowy, and not too short. They need to gracefully drape over your hips and then gently flair out around your knees. If they flair too high, it will add to the width of your hips. Avoid pockets and pleats. Choose long straight legged slacks. Avoid tappered or "skinny" legs.
Jackets: Keep them fitted in the waistline and hitting between your waistline and your hips. Be sure the hem of your jacket does not hit at the widest point of your hip. Things like collars, pocket details and puffed sleeves will add visual interest up on top.
From Target:
Have I overloaded you with info yet? Ha, Ha! I hope I’ve given you enough to work with. If you need further clarification you can e-mail me! Have a wonderful time at the wedding!
Follow me on Twitter 
Delisle Designs
I am definitely bookmarking it as well as sharing it with my friends
Thanks for posting this, it was a good read!
Awesome post. Thanks for sharing, it`s bookmarked.
I’m impressed, I must say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the issue is something that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.