Belted clothes make me look pregnant

[Alwaysonthehunt]

Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts... I am slimish but have a very round mum tum that I can't get rid of. I keep seeing everywhere that pulling in at the waist will make one look slimmer and I do actually have a slim ribcage and natural waist, but the problem is that if I wear anything fitted there then it just accentuates the tummy. So I end up just wearing a variety of tent-like outfits which are sort of chic but probably make me look bigger overall, although at least I won't get anyone asking me when the baby is due.

Any ideas for alternatives to what I'm doing? Sometimes I miss the days when I could wear tighter fitting clothes or show off my shape 😔

I’m the same and I don’t buy into the idea that pulling in at the waist always makes you look thinner. I think you need to show off your bits that look slim and then the mind fills in the gaps. For me that is the tent like dresses as long as the neck line shows my colour bones. Or dungarees with slim fit tops under.
I have the same issue with most skirts too, especially pleated as they add bulk. I have one dress with a waist that does seem to work but I’m not sure why: Hush Kensington. The only skirt that works (again can’t articulate why) is a wrap like the NFD jaspre skirt but it’s very knicker flashy (I wear chub rub shorts under).
If showing off your shape is the aim then I recommend the wrap skirt

I'm the same, I have large boobs and I'm slim (size 8), I used to have a big bum too and when I was younger I could wear anything as long as it wasn't very loose fitting (baggy clothes made me look really big). Since having my DS and getting older I have lost my bum and it's been replaced with a rounded tummy. I cant wear anything belted and many cloths make me look bigger than I am. I have recently found that these style of dresses are very flattering:

www.marksandspencer.com/printed-high-neck-midi-tea-dress/p/clp60514664?color=BLUEMIX

www.marksandspencer.com/floral-v-neck-midi-tea-dress/p/clp60524036?color=BLACKMIX

www.marksandspencer.com/floral-round-neck-midi-tea-dress/p/clp60524039?color=MULTI

www.marksandspencer.com/floral-v-neck-short-sleeve-midi-tea-dress/p/clp60523205?color=PINKMIX

Thank you for those suggestions 👍🏼 what makes my life even worse is that I'm flat chested so my tummy always sticks out further than my boobs. I really like those tea dresses but fear they'll cling. Good idea about making sure my collarbone is showing. Never tried a wrap skirt, I find skirts very difficult in general because usually you need to wear a shortish or tighter top with them and that exposes the tum, plus skirts don't hold it in like jeans do, but I could give it a try

Ah, small of boob here as well. Massive fan for Calvin Klein bras for a bit of padding and a good shape.
This wrap skirt is styled with a looser T so much more forgiving and I really like the look when I do it too. www.neverfullydressed.co.uk/products/miami-jaspre-skirt

I have a similar thing, I just never wear belts! I find that flared-skirt dresses with a slightly high waistline are most flattering for me. I do wear some A-line tops/dresses, but nothing gathered under the bust, as that really makes me look pregnant.

@Alwaysonthehunt padded push up bra really helps! I live in straight dresses that slim my tum and show off my slim hips.

[quote Chocolatecoatedkettlebell]Ah, small of boob here as well. Massive fan for Calvin Klein bras for a bit of padding and a good shape.
This wrap skirt is styled with a looser T so much more forgiving and I really like the look when I do it too. www.neverfullydressed.co.uk/products/miami-jaspre-skirt[/quote]
Really like that skirt actually. I would look at that and think no way could I wear it but maybe I should give it a try. I think at least part of my problem is a mental block/shame about my shape and really I should get over it. Easier said than done, I have always been conscious of my tummy even when I now realise I didn't have one!

@Echobelly

I have a similar thing, I just never wear belts! I find that flared-skirt dresses with a slightly high waistline are most flattering for me. I do wear some A-line tops/dresses, but nothing gathered under the bust, as that really makes me look pregnant.

Sounds like what I choose too, along with just very loose COS-style dresses

[quote RandomMess]@Alwaysonthehunt padded push up bra really helps! I live in straight dresses that slim my tum and show off my slim hips.[/quote]
You know, since having kids I just can't bear bras! I just wear crop tops basically 😫

@Alwaysonthehunt the dresses definitely don't cling, they sort of skim over my tummy and you can see I have a waist. I wear with a short denim jacket and either pumps or boots depending on time of year and colour of the dress. I only discovered this style of dress by accident and didn't think it would be as flattering as it is. Maybe try a few new styles and see what you feel comfortable in. I do like that M and S have a lot to choose from that don't have belts

@Alwaysonthehunt if you do order it (and you haven’t already) size up for more wrap coverage so less risk of flashing knickers

Same. Mint Velvet have some very nice oversized shirts that seem to work magic by making it look like you are all wrists and knees. Worth a look, anyway.

On the original topic, possibly some people don’t suit belts. But I think it’s worthwhile experimenting with different widths of belt and wearing a belt higher up or lower down e.g. on the hips. Wider belts can be more flattering, and knotting a narrower belt instead of slipping it through the buckle can make a difference. Also playing with colour, for example same colour as outfit or contrasting colour to outfit can make a big difference. If you feel self- conscious about the size of your waist, you can wear a belt underneath an open cardigan.