Let’s be honest, scrolling through fashion feeds can sometimes feel like you’re looking at a different planet.
So many of the latest trends (think crop tops and low-rise jeans) just don’t seem designed for real women, especially those of us who carry a little, or a lot, of extra love around the middle.
It’s frustrating when you want to feel stylish, but every new look seems determined to highlight the one area you’d rather keep under wraps.
Ultimately, what you wear is entirely a personal choice, and if you love your body exactly as it is, that’s fantastic.
But for those who feel self-conscious or simply want a little help dressing their midsection, the fashion world can feel like a minefield.
The good news is that you absolutely do not have to resort to frumpy, shapeless sacks just because you have a belly.
Being well-put-together and stylish is all about making smart, informed choices.
With a few insider tips and the right understanding of your body’s unique shape, you can stop fighting your clothes and start enjoying them.
Stylist Jordan Stolch shared her tips on what ladies with a larger tummy should be wearing.
“Remember, dressing for your body type is all about highlighting your shape, not hiding your shape, and building confidence in the way you present yourself,” she writes alongside a TikTok clip where she uses actress Octavia Spencer as an example of a woman who has successfully learned how to dress for her body type.
One of her top tips is to avoid shapeless garments because they only make you look bigger.
“Your clothes don’t need to be skin-tight, but they absolutely need to fit you,” she advises.
When it comes to tops, she suggests avoiding strong horizontal lines at the stomach and instead opting for peplum or empire-line styles.
She adds that ruched, wrap, and draped tops are also flattering because they don’t add additional volume.
When choosing a jacket, Stolch again highlights that one should avoid oversized cuts and instead go for jackets that are nipped in at the waist.
London-based stylist Teji is a huge fan of high-waisted garments.“High-waisted everything! First rule. If it’s not high-waisted, we don’t want it,” says the stylist.
From skirts to pants, she calls high-waisted pieces “belly binders” because they snatch the waist and cover the belly.
She advises ladies to ditch skinny and tight jeans because they hug the belly, and says low-rise jeans are another no-no.
Teji adds that belts are more than just accessories. “Belt it like you mean it! They are the magic wands for your waistline,” she says.
She suggests opting for wide belts because thin ones are not as noticeable.
“Using wide belts creates this thick waistline as if you have a snatched waist. It cuts your waist in two and makes it look like you just photoshopped it,” she adds.
When it comes to dresses, fashion content creator Liane offers the following advice.
At the top of her list are empire-waist dresses, which sit just below the bust and allow the material to drape over the midsection while cinching in.
Another favourite of hers is the Basque style, which has a dipped waistline that naturally lengthens your torso while subtly defining your waist.
Dresses with smocking at the back also allow for flexibility, no matter how you bloat or how your belly shape fluctuates throughout the day.
While these are tips and tricks to help you feel more comfortable, it always comes down to personal choice. If you want to rock a bodycon dress, you go girl!
