How to dress to hide belly fat, especially if you are a woman over 50?
If we consider this widely observed trend in addition to factors like stress, insomnia, poor eating habits such as unbalanced and rushed meals, and a lack of physical activity (both strength and aerobic), we often find ourselves with a slightly protruding belly and consequent difficulties in finding suitable clothing.
At times, even the waistline may lose its definition, and the body starts to exhibit characteristics commonly associated with an “apple” shape.
This post aims to provide a practical “cheat sheet” or a list of effective solutions for dressing to minimize this issue. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to camouflage belly fat so that it doesn’t hinder our chic and incredibly elegant style! 😉
Here, you’ll find a comprehensive list of 10 clever and highly effective tips on how to hide belly fat using clothing.
In many instances, the solution lies in opting for garments with subtle and strategic draping. These prove to be invaluable allies when it comes to dressing to conceal our bellies.
Drapes and ruches that work best are the ones positioned laterally at waist level. They can also be asymmetrical, placed on just one side, creating a sense of verticality.
Pair leggings or skinny jeans with longer tops featuring drapes or asymmetrical cuts.
Leggings or pants with a considerable amount of spandex can also be great companions. They will comfortably adapt to the body’s contours, providing a slight tightening effect.
Choosing garments in darker shades with a slightly higher waistline will ideally enhance the leg line.
When combined with tops and long tunics, they have a slimming effect on the entire figure. An additional tip: experiment with asymmetrical cuts, which create longer “tips” on the sides or center of the body.
Create vertical lines with long cardigans, slim fit coats and long blazers
Achieving vertical lines can be accomplished by incorporating long cardigans, slim-fit coats, and extended blazers into your ensemble.
Dressing in layers can be highly effective in concealing a protruding belly, and the use of long cardigans, waistcoats, open mid-season coats, and elongated blazers can yield the same slimming effect when the objective is to disguise the midsection.
Don’t emphasize your belly by adding accessories that make it look bigger
When selecting a coat, top, or cardigan, there’s no need to completely avoid belts. Particularly if the excess weight is concentrated in the lower abdomen, you might still possess a well-defined and somewhat elevated waistline.
In such cases, it’s important to ensure that the belt is not too tight, but rather loosely knotted, and most importantly, that it sits at the narrowest point of your torso (the waist, to be precise) rather than at its widest.
Wrap dresses and tops also provide an opportunity to take advantage of this effect, especially if you possess a well-defined waist despite the presence of unwanted belly fat (a common concern among women with an hourglass figure and those over 40 years old).
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How to dress to hide belly fat? Try knotting the belt a little to the side instead of in the middle. The slimming effect will be more evident and the look more casual and elegant.
Do not tuck tops and blouses into your trousers or your skirt (or at least not completely…)
Traditional tuck-in draws attention to a little muffin top or an undefined waistline, so it’s best avoided if you want to dress to hide belly fat.
This is because if you tuck the blouse completely, you will create a horizontal line right at the widest point of the belly.
But even leaving the top completely out, covering the waist, can be dangerous, because you risk an unpleasant “trunk” effect: the bust will seem as wide as your hips in every point.
For this reason, you prefer possibly:
- slightly stretch tops that barely cover the edge of the trousers, while remaining quite close to the body
- a partial tuck-in you see in this photograph:
6. Wear pants that control your waistline
Consider trying a pair of medium-rise or slightly high-waisted jeans, as they can effectively conceal your belly.
Experiment with different waist heights to find the most suitable one for your body proportions. Opt for dark-colored or washed jeans to help restore your previous silhouette.
Avoid extremely high-waisted styles, as they may not flatter most women and can make it challenging to tuck in your top and accentuate your waist.
This is especially important if you have broad shoulders and a short waist, as it can unnecessarily emphasize your bust.
Ensure that the pants you purchase don’t end in the middle of your belly, as they can create an unflattering bulge. Instead, aim for styles that sit comfortably around your waist.
If you have a muffin top or carry excess weight in your lower abdomen, consider looking for jeans with shaping properties or a slightly slimming effect.
These can provide a more flattering appearance.
Here you can find a wide selection of leggings with shaping effect.
Harness the power of prints to camouflage your belly fat when dressing
Prints can be incredibly effective in concealing belly fat, so it’s worth incorporating them into your wardrobe.
When chosen thoughtfully, prints have the ability to visually “distract” the eye from focusing on your midsection.
Just choose a printed top in one of the shapes suggested above (wrapped, asymmetric, draped on the side, crossbody etc.).
A patterned top can also be superimposed on a long solid-colored vest, preferably in a dark color that takes up one of the shades of the pattern, or even on a blazer or a top that has the same effect.
Discover the wonders of shapewear, a secret weapon favored by numerous “slim” celebrities!
In modern times, there is an abundance of high-quality shapewear options available in stores.
Even if you’re not keen on wearing it regularly, having a piece in your collection can come in handy for special occasions when you desire to look your absolute best.
Instead of focusing solely on concealing your belly, why not celebrate and highlight your unique strengths?
When considering how to dress to flatter your figure, it’s essential to shift the focus from the perceived problem area and instead embrace the many assets you possess!
Think about the parts of your body that you truly love and feel confident about. How can you accentuate those areas?
Remember, we all have our own set of strengths and weaknesses, and the key is to maximize the former while minimizing any concerns we may have.
For instance, you could showcase a tasteful amount of cleavage, opt for outfits that reveal your beautiful shoulders, or emphasize your gorgeous long legs.
Explore the latest arrivals of the season and select something that makes you feel absolutely amazing, allowing you to truly highlight your unique merits!
Select the appropriate sleeve length to flatter your figure.
When considering how to dress to hide belly fat, it’s common to fixate solely on this particular area. However, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of sleeve length.
If the sleeves end at the widest point of your belly, it draws attention to that area.
Therefore, opt for garments with sleeves that, when your arms are relaxed by your sides, either fall above your belly (preferably around waist height) or extend below your hips.
The ideal sleeve length depends on the measurements of your arms and the location of your bulkiest belly area.
Additionally, it’s worth considering the most flattering fashion brands for your body type. Even individuals with seemingly perfect and well-proportioned physiques have brands that suit them better than others.
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This discrepancy exists across both high-end and affordable brands.
For example, H&M may impeccably fit someone with a physique similar to mine (although the desired quality may not always be present, prompting me to look elsewhere).
On the other hand, Mango or Zara may not be as suitable for my particular body shape. The same principle applies to medium and high-end brands.
Some final thoughts…
By being aware of which brands dress you well and enhance your unique features with their cuts, you can avoid frustration and unnecessary returns, especially when shopping online.
Take note of the brands that consistently flatter your figure and make them your go-to choices when shopping. This approach will save you time and prevent disappointment!
If you liked these tips, have a look at this video:
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All your photos are of thin women. How is that helpful to a heavier woman who is seeking help camouflaged her trouble areas? Answer: It isn’t!
Yes I think your article is good but your models are too thin.
Hi Beth, it’s really difficult to find examples of curvy women to underline the different points online, I’m sorry! I will try to finde some, though!
I don’t think it’s that hard. We’re every where. Find some, take them out, put them in clothes that are examples of what you mean and take pictures. You’re not going to be able to use photos taken with models.
Hi LuAnn, I’ll try !
Do agree with others ,slim models not good,need people with a fuller figure to model the clothes ..
Before I read others comments I thought the same ….. all glam models, stick thin!
thank you for the article
I totally agree with this article!! Very beautifully written!! I have been wearing most of the styles that have been mentioned/shown here for many years now. They really do work for hiding the “belly fat” quite well…I’m almost 65yrs. old and love to wear “younger styles” and color schemes. I’ve always considered myself “young at heart” and will dress that way until the day I die! I hate most of the “meant for older women/ladies” styles that they have these days, in the stores and online.
I’m also 5’4″ and right now weighing in around the mid 180’s and have a 42/44DDD chest. My mother had told/showed me while growing up about what styles of clothing to wear to hide particular “body flaws” from working in “High End” department stores and a few smaller unique clothing stores back in the 1960’s/70’s. I also use T-shirt buckles on the left side of loose T-Shirts or Tops to give me a more figure slimming effect over the belly area.
I am “my own model” looking into the mirror when I get dressed, to see how something looks on me. I don’t need a “heavier/chunky woman model” to see how it will look on me because everyone’s body shape is different!
I totally agree with this article!! Very beautifully written!! I have been wearing most of the styles that have been mentioned/shown here for many years now. They really do work for hiding the “belly fat” quite well…I’m almost 65yrs. old and love to wear “younger styles” and color schemes. I’ve always considered myself “young at heart” and will dress that way until the day I die! I hate most of the “meant for older women/ladies” styles that they have these days, in the stores and online.
I’m also 5’4″ and right now weighing in around the mid 180’s and have a 42/44DDD chest. My mother had told/showed me while growing up about what styles of clothing to wear to hide particular “body flaws” from working in “High End” department stores and a few smaller unique clothing stores back in the 1960’s/70’s. I also use T-shirt buckles on the left side of loose T-Shirts or Tops to give me a more figure slimming effect over the belly area.
I am “my own model” looking into the mirror when I get dressed, to see how something looks on me. I don’t need a “heavier/chunky woman model” to see how it will look on me because everyone’s body shape is different!
Hi Judy! Thank you for sharing your experience and perspective on dressing for your body type. It’s great to hear that you’ve found styles that work well for you and make you feel confident and comfortable. It’s also wonderful that you have a youthful spirit and enjoy wearing younger styles and colors.
It’s inspiring to hear that you’ve learned from your mother’s advice and your own experiences, and have developed your own sense of style and what looks good on you. It’s important to remember that everyone’s body shape is different, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Thank you for reminding us that we don’t need to rely on external models to know what will look good on us. Ultimately, the most important thing is that we feel good in what we’re wearing and that it helps us to feel confident and happy in our own skin.