Comfy but stylish clothes that can cope with bloating? Impossible???

[Suddengeekgirl]

I am fairly slim (8-10) but I am suffering badly with ibs and so my tummy is prone to bloating. :(

My current skinny jeggings are high waited and dig in uncomfortably. All I really like wearing is some jeans which are too big and jogging bottoms.
This will not do!

Am I looking for the impossible- stylish and comfy around my bloaty tummy?

Are you my twin?

I too have IBS and really struggle to feel comfortable and look nice a lot of the time. At one point I stopped eating all together so I wouldn't have a bloated tummy, that's how much it affects me.

Here are the things I find most comfy:

• Extremely soft leggings from Uniqlo with tunics over them and a pretty long scarf
• Dresses with tights. I snip the waistband of tights with a very sharp scissors, maybe 1cm down into the waistband around 5 or 6 times around the waistline. (I hope that makes sense?!) This way the tights fit me when I put them on but have a lot more "give" when my tummy swells up
• low-waisted skinny jeans which sit under the bloated area, again with long tops

I have also switched to gluten-free bread and lactose-free milk which seems to have made a big difference.

Hope this helps...

Dresses with tights or leggings are so much comfier than jeans or trousers - especially jumper dresses or t-shirt dresses (i.e. not fitted or tight).

I can't stand stuff feeling tight round my middle and find most tights uncomfortable, despite being the same size as you OP. M&S Autograph are the best though as they have a massive, stretchy waistband!

I snip my tights waistband too tak1ing. Sometimes I go too far and they end up falling down

Thanks! :)

I'm ok with tights I think as I am short so can usually pull them up and over the bloat. (I did the same when pg!)

Knitted dresses would be nice, will need thick warm wooly tights!

My leggings and tunics are all from post baby days - not terribly flattering.

I'm trying to work out my ibs rules again as it's changed recently so I need high fibre but am getting bloated from it iyswim.

Have you bought anything lately? :)

I saw some knitted tube skirts in next but they were far too long for me! I imagine they're soft waist bands. :)

Poor you. I suffered from IBS terribly in my 20s, but seem to have it under control now. I do find if I eat bread, pasta or drink fizzy drinks I do get bloated really quickly, so try to avoid them as much as possible.

Clothes-wise, I'd suggest soft jerseys - my initial thought was a ruched skirt I have from Baukjen, which is very soft on the waist (Hush has similar). Goldsign jeans are mega bucks (but can be sometimes found on Ebay or you could look at Yoox, Shopbop and similar), and they're fantastically soft denim, some cuts are high waisted, and the cuts are impeccable. And dresses as well are much comfier.

I have this problem too.I. have also cut out gluten and dairy and it does seem to help .I wear stretchy jeggings from M&S with an elastic waistband - called pull on jeggings.I also wear Penelope leggings from Monsoon that have a very high soft waistband - part of their secret support range.I nearly always wear knitted dresses from Hush or similar in winter with a very long vest top underneath to give a smooth line.Maxi skirts work well with a slightly loose top over.Monsoon have had some nice ones recently.

I have the same issue and wear leggings + tunics, high waisted soft jeans, and skirts and tights.

Can't help in the trousers front, but I can vouch that lots of people I know with IBS have had symptoms improve when they followed a low FODMAP diet. I can't link but if you google you will find lots of info about it.

dolly does fodmap work for both types of ibs?

Stockings and dresses?

Alanna - that sounds far too glam to be comfy! :)

I have IBS too so know your pain. I know it doesn't sound very glam, but maybe try maternity tights/leggings under dresses because they'll have the big stretchy waistband? Nobody will know they're maternity ones apart from you. Also maternity overbump skinnies?

It can help ease lots of different types of digestive orders, but I am sure it varies from person to person as to how effective it can be. With IBS there is always an element of stress involved, so more to take into account than just diet.

Right I'm off to town today to look for dresses and soft waist bands.
I will have 2.5yo dd with me so I may come home in a grump.

I second the jeans leggings from uniqlo - can't wait to go back to get more. Phase eight have a lovely long flared sweater dress which is on sale now I think. And the cashmere tunics in M&S are also on sale and look lovely.

I think tunics or similar lose floaty type of top or dress. You want to be comfortable. Also make an effort with nails hair etc to look groomed.
If you have bloating and ibs you should have a look at the fodmap diet which is recommended by gastroenterologists and helps 75% of ibs sufferers.

Grrrr, nothing nice or in the right size. :(
Will have to make do for now.

Of to read up on fodmap.

Mint velvet leggings have a lovely wide, soft waistband that feels quite forgiving on my bloaty days.

I'm glad I'm not the only tights-snipper!