Tummy is a very special part of the female body for more than one reason. First of all, due to pregnancy, when our figure changes completely and this is the area where we usually gain the most weight. Then there are hormonal changes, which start after the age of 40, and the tummy is where the fat starts accumulating. Or we can be slim and still have a belly, which doesn’t look that great, but the fact is this is a part of our bodies that requires a lot of daily exercise, there’s no way around it. Today, I’m going to write a little bit about how to cover it up, or at least pretend it’s not noticable and we have no extra skin folds. So forget about the trendy crop tops, which definitely require toned abs and at least two hours of exercise a day. Unfortunately, there are no magic wands we could swirl in the air (if there were, I would have bought it myself a long time ago, trust me), there is, however, shape wear‒an excellent solution‒ and another trick or two to make your life easier.
A-line cuts
These are wider dresses that aren’t tight at the waistline, which means they don’t give away any hint of the tummy underneath. They may resemble maternity wear a bit, but they shake off the connection when styled with a petit bag and high heels. Above all, A line dresses are trendy right now, because they’re reminiscent of the 60’s and a vintage look is always in.
High waist
Lots of women are afraid of it, I noticed a lot of scepticism myself, when I took women shopping and gave them styling advice. It’s a mistake to fear a high waist. It’s actually great, because it gives you a slimmer appearance, and it looks simply gorgeous and elegant with a little help from a beautiful, sophisticated blouse. The trouble, as I see it, is that it’s not easy finding a pair of high waist pants or skirt, despite the fact these are fashionable pieces.
Put emphasis on your upper body
This is a diversion tactic. It’s best to focus on your upper body or a different part you have no issue with. This way, everybody will notice your wonderful cleavage, for instance, or bare shoulders, long neck, or long legs (because you can also emphasise your bottom part, i. e. legs, of course). Keep the top colourful, busy with prints or otherwise embellished, and the bottom much more basic.
Choose the right materials
Provided they’re elastic enough, they should help shape your figure, which is good. If they are too translucent, like silk and jersey, they unfortunately show through everything, even cellulite where there is none. So opt for materials that are strechy, yet naturally firm enough around your tummy; they shouldn’t be see-through or so light the skin shakes underneath it. That’s just no good.
Shaping underwear
I consider this a great investment. Mind the quality, because it really has to be good enough to keep you nicely tucked in. Since I’m a size 4, my shaping panties look so tiny a doll could wear them, but I’ve tested them and they’re in order: they have to be tight to provide the compression. Plus, the elasticity has to be extra strong. Some low-budget brands offer models like this, but they’re just too loose, according to my experience.
The right accessories
The bigger the better, they should redirect attention to themselves. So, oversized earrings or a statement necklace should be the right choice for you. Even nice makeup or red lips make us forget all about hips, tummy and other problem areas, because all we notice is the face. A bit of imagination and smarts go a long way: take time to experiment a bit.
Super sexy body
Body is the ace in the sleeve for every woman with a tummy issue. Opt for one with reinforced tummy area and simply get used to wearing it. You won’t regret it! It’s even great with jeans or blouses, because it actually tucks the tummy in and makes you feel more confident. So do wear one and opt for a black, white, and nude version to start with.
Read more about this here
How to choose the right wardrobe, if you are on the curvy side?
Fashion advice for women with a fuller figure
Five necessary pieces for women with a fuller figure
5 thoughts on “Using fashion to hide the tummy”
Don’t wear tight or clingy garments over your belly and choose tops with ruching or drape
Many women after 40 experience weight gain on their bellies, especially those going into perimenopause or menopause. Your waist may disappear and you will start to develop more characteristics of the apple body shape. Luckily there are many things you can do to hide that belly, so that it doesn’t come in your way of looking fabulously stylish!
Wear leggings or skinnies with longer, draped or asymmetrical tops
love how the models are all thin and none have bellies. Really show cases how those styles will look on women who in fact have rounder middles. This article is not helpful
Hi Evie, thanx for writing. I really don’t agree with your comment for many reasons. First of all, all the pictures are from the Elena Mirò fashion show, which is a world known brand that creates fashion for curvy women. This means that the girls on the photos are not regular models, but curvy. Sorry, but they are not thin. Second, the article has a lot of useful tips, if you want to read them. Of course it is not my goal to post photos of women with enormous bellies, anyway I really don’t know where to get them, I think curvy models are the best to show you how to wear fashion pieces and look good.