10 sure-fire ways to hide your belly with the right clothes

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!

How to hide your belly – my 10 tips

1. Don’t wear tight garments over your belly and choose tops with ruching or drape

If you want to look stylish and highlight your strengths, it is best not to wear tight tops. They will accentuate every fat bubble you have and draw attention away from you and your fabulous clothes. Rather choose tops that have some draping or ruching.

Above tops available at Covered Perfectly. Receive 20% off your first purchase when using the code 40+ at checkout!

2. Wear leggings or skinnies with wide tops or draped tops

Leggings can be your best friend. They will fit comfortably around your belly and tuck it in a bit. Also, with so many wonderful tunics and long tops to choose from, you will look fabulous. Noone will notice your belly! For more tips and examples on how to wear leggings check this article.

3. Create vertical lines with long cardigans, jackets and ponchos

Layering is very effective to disguise a belly. You can add a cardigan or a jacket. Waterfall or straight designs can both work and will create a nice vertical line which will lengthen you and distract the eye from your belly.

The longer your cardigan, the longer and leaner you will appear as is clearly illustrated by the model with the shorter hair who looks a lot slimmer with the long cardigan. Short straight cardigans will hide your belly too, but will have an overall more boxy silhouette.

Right now long vests are very popular which are perfect for creating long lean vertical lines. Check out this article for lots of options on how to wear a long vest.

4. Don’t emphasise your tummy by adding accessories like belts

No need to draw attention to your midlife tummy and belts will do just that.

5. Choose dresses that don’t cling or / and have a draping element

Make sure that your dresses don’t cling around the tummy area. Dresses with a draping element around the tummy area often work.

Asymmetrical dresses work well too as they draw attention away from the belly and create a vertical line.

Dresses that don’t cling with patterns are also great to hide the tummy area.

You can also try empire waist tops and dresses. These tops highlight the thinnest part of your top body, which gives you a great silhouette. They don’t work for everyone though.

6. Wear tops over your skirts and pants and don’t tuck them

Tucking draws attention to your (non-existing waist again) so better to avoid that.

7. Layer like a pro

It’s easier to hide your belly in winter as you can layer your clothes. Creating vertical lines with cardigans (as discussed above) works really well, but you can also wear sheer or softer fabrics underneath a shorter sweater.

8. Don’t wear garments that are bulky around the tummy area

You don’t want to make that area even bigger with pockets or other embellishments.

9. Choose asymmetrical tops

Asymmetrical tops create vertical lines that are great for disguising tummies.

Layered tops will work too, especially when they have an asymmetrical element.

10. Wear shape wear

I could have put this on top of the list, but for day to day dressing I think most women would prefer just to wear their clothes without this. But shape wear can really flatten or hide your belly in many cases. Have a look at some of the tips given in my article on shape wear for some wonderful tips from other women over 40. Shape wear can really have a place in your dressing, but it’s important that you still remain comfortable in it!

Here are some tops that are available in shops right now!

Some recommended brands:

Eileen Fisher: has a high variety of long vests, layering tps and asymmetrical items
Covered Perfectly: affordable tops with plenty of draping in all the right places