Makeover challenge!

[Kishtu]

Sow's ear in saggy 8 months and two weeks pregnant maternity clothes, into elegant but practical 40s silk purse.

I can all too easily see myself when Wigglesworth arrives, carrying on pulling the same-old same-old out of the wardrobe.... the stretch leggings the sloppy linen shirts, the elasticated waistband Indian cotton print skirts, the hippy clothes that make my bum like Colonel Hathi from the Disney Jungle Book.... just because it's "convenient". And "who will see me anyway when I'm at home with a baby?"

Well, I don't want to do it. Can see how tempting it would be not to bother and am trying to head it off at the pass rather than in six months' time looking at my sorry stretch-marked carcass and getting depressed.

So..... I need your help, ladies. The look I like is classic 40s, the shape I have is hourglass on a Valkyrie scale (six-foot-ish in bare feet) and I do expect to have something approaching my figure back almost straightaway - I still have a waist now, Wigglesworth is all in front so from the back I still have my curves
What I need though is ideas! I know there are lots of pattern threads but I'm looking for specific help - front-fastening dresses that you've made that work (or you have adapted to fasten in the front) and blouses to wear tucked into tailored slacks - basically things that are elegant and/or practical but can be adapted for a nursing mum.

Aprons I now have in quantity lol due to the advice of Ladies who Lounge.

Thanks in advance!
Tu

 

[kamikat]

Congrats on your upcoming blessing and your decision to breastfeed! If my kids were babes today, here are some things I would make:
The jumper/pinafore might not be elegant but it would provide lots of modesty for nursing in public, good for when you're still learning.

If you make nursing openings in the dress, then wear the jacket over it, it would be perfect!

Of course, classic pieces always work!

One resource that really helped me was http://www.elizabethlee.com/patterns/mompats.htm. While her patterns aren't vintage or vintage-inspired at all, they do offer several different styles of modest nursing openings that can be added to non-nursing styles. If you don't want to purchase any of her patterns, you can get an idea of how the openings work on the website.

 

[Kishtu]

Brilliant, thanks KamiKat, exactly the kind of thing I was looking for.

I hadn't actually considered modesty :eusa_doh: but yes, thank you for reminding me of that too!

 

[kamikat]

Brilliant, thanks KamiKat, exactly the kind of thing I was looking for.

I hadn't actually considered modesty :eusa_doh: but yes, thank you for reminding me of that too!

Your modesty needs may vary. I found that it depended on a)location and b) um, personal size My bra size went up to a JJ (UK size) while nursing and it was difficult to not flash the world in the beginning. Also, when we were visiting the in-laws in another city, I had strangers tell me to cover up or "take that elsewhere" because the in-laws live in a conservative town. In my mother's town, which is a hippie enclave, it's not unusual to see mothers' openly nursing older children and I felt comfortable nursing in public there.

 

[Kishtu]

Yes... this is part of the problem I have, although my, ah, girls aren't quite in the same league, but when one gets clothes that fit "upstairs" they have a habit of gaping around the waist, giving the impression that one is the size and shape of an 8-ball with feet