Should I hide my mum tum?

[overthemountainsandfaraway]

After two kids I have quite a sizeable mum tum even after losing all the baby weight. I'm a size 14 bottom (curvy bottom) and 12 top (flat chested). I really hate it and tend to wear sack like clothes to just cover everything but I keep seeing that I shouldn't be doing that. Trouble is everything suggests belting outfits to give a waist but that is literally the worst thing for my shape, it just accentuates the tummy poking out so I can't understand what I should do. Ideas please!

I personally think the baggy tunic length top is the thing not to go for
I agree, there aren’t many items of clothing that make me feel more ‘frumpy’ and unattractive than a baggy tunic.

@overthemountainsandfaraway to answer your question: I also like Cos but also Arket, Hush, Uniqlo, Zara (some stuff) John Lewis (Kin, NRBY, YAS) and All Saints if I need something black/grey. I haven’t been in to Monki yet but I get the impression from what people say that I’ll like that too. The dungarees I referred to are a rare fat face purchase.

By tiered dress I mean ones like “that Zara dress” of which there are now a billion copies. I have the hush Penelope dress which is tiered but the open neck is better for me than the Zara one as the open neck shows off my neck and collar bones which (in contrast to my lower half) make me look slim.

How about a pinafore dress? I'm the same shape and these work well! I have a couple from Zara recently that I'm chuffed to bits with. You can wear a variety of things underneath and tights and boots to finish. Job done

Do not wear clothes that will make you uncomfortable. It’s crazy that we do thinks like that to ourselves. You don’t need to wear Spanx if your clothes are the right size.

Good point SarahBellam
Don't try to squeeze into a size because you want to 'be' some arbitrary number on a label. Slightly bigger almost always looks better.

Yes I totally agree, I've never been bothered by the size on the label, and I am most definitely all about comfort (although maybe that's half the problem because then I don't branch out!). I wouldn't wear Spanx to get into a smaller size. Maybe only wear a comfy version of them if it helped smooth the lines of something but yeah no way o can imagine wearing them every day.

Will look for pinafore dresses. And all the brands mentioned 👍🏼

Would dressing for an apple shape help? I have a big tummy and ibs so that;s what I'm exploring.
Am also going to try the boob or bust bra measuring method:
booborbust.com/

Victoria secret bombshell bra is my best friend! I am small chested aswell it adds 2 cups sizes it make my body look more proportional
Invest in a pair of high waist jeans it's a game changer! Plain vest, then a cardigan/blazer. Simple comfortable shoes with a bit of heal makes a huge difference! If u want Spanx, primark does a cheap version just to smooth everything out. Not heavy or uncomfortable.

Super high waist jeans are your friend if your mum tum is like mine! Steffi from miss selfridge I have in all colours. I think it's about finding out what works for you. For work I wear hobbs shift dresses from material with no give and tights that just lightly keep things in place. I would steer clear of Spanx etc, I used to and it was a contributing factor to ending up with gastritis from slowing down digestion badly over a couple of very hot days last summer! Never again!

@Borderstotheleftofme

I have a big belly and I find dresses like this where it is v neck and tight/tapered in under the bust then flares out a bit extremely flattering

Where's that dress from, it's gorgeous?!

I have a tummy since having my third also doesn't help I'm now over 40 and switched from an on my feet all day job to desk based.

I do have boobs though although at one point my stomach was bigger than them 🤦‍♀️

I've found high waisted and anything with a belt helps as my weight is all bellow my natural waist/belly button and dresses that are loser around the stomach but fitted elsewhere, interesting not empire line though as it seems to accentuate any stomach.