Older woman's tummy blues

[PiggySue]

Ok, most of the time I luckily have the older woman's lack of fucks to give about the way my body looks and what I choose to wear. I'm in a uniform for my work and I don't do a lot of the kind of socialising that requires dressing up. I'm quite happy pottering around the garden in cut offs and a vest.
Things that work are-men's jeans which are looser cut. More flowing tops to skim The Blob and yes, the current favourite tiered, maxi, floral dresses.

However I am finding that a lot of my clothes just are not flattering or even comfortable sometimes with The Blob. Skirts in particular are problematic. They either ride up over The Blob or sit tightly around it, emphasising it.
Trousers that fit my skinny legs are tight around the midriff.
Elastic waists climb to my under bust if allowed to.
I can look pregnant in dresses. Anything fitted is a no no. Loose fabric kind of catches on the shelf of Blob. Fitted waists ride up or cut in.
I'm loathe to give up a lot of my wardrobe and don't have a lot of spare cash to buy different stuff but maybe I need to change my style?
I've got a DD's graduation to attend next week and am stressing.
Any advice and what type of clothes do you wear if you too have Blob issues?
P.S. I don't have health problems to cause this apart maybe from the fibroids but they are small and should be shrinking as I age (apparently).

I'm tiny but as I hit late 40s, boom, the tummy appeared 😩
I look like 'me' first thing in the morning and stay that way until late morning but as the day goes on it grows and grows...
By evening I look pregnant and all the clothes that previously looked great look bloody awful.

I feel lost and just don't know what to wear anymore, I know it's part of ageing and I should just be happy to be healthy etc but it's hard!

Has anyone felt that hrt helps?

Might not be that helpful (no blob just yet...) but would some kind of tummy control garment work, e.g. Spanx? Not sure if they are hideously uncomfortable...

Chepei not on a daily basis. And I tend to feel fatter in them. Like more barrel shaped like a squashed sausage.

I either wear skirts with a deep elastic band around them or magic trousers, shorts and skirts - the stretch in them is amazing so accommodates slimmer legs with bigger tummy.

I wear them with drapey t-shirts that have a shaped bottom and skim, with a v neck, to draw attention up.

I also like camis that are floaty and sort of finish at below tummy level, often with a blazer over that I buy to fit my shoulders, not bothered that it will never do up!

Cocoon dresses are great, fitted across shoulders, bigger around tummy, getting more fitted towards hem. Shirt dresses are also good, I wear undone over camis and jeans as long jackets too to make them less formal.

I try to buy most things with at least a bit of stretch in, just so much more forgiving.

@Chepei
I did try a pair but I hated them, I felt too constricted. Very disappointing as I thought they'd be the solution for me!

@Bodice @crosbystillsandmash
I suspected as much, that's annoying - I had them lined up for the future!

Skirts and dress...

Skimming t- shirt, cami and magics...

Spanx? WAISTNIPPERS! I read this for some kindly advice, not to be lectured by a size 8 figure woman wearing padding, trying to make money out of menopausal women, having time travelled from the 19th century,that due to hormones and genetics don’t have a choice but to work around our tummies to look smart.
Sorry I’m so angry it’s because I get this IRL from someone who thinks she’s being kind with her diet and exercise advice to me, but obviously doesn’t herself have the physique which will ever make a tummy and assumes anyone who does is a fat lazy cow grrrr.

Another one here with this problem. I make and alter my clothes (not within the abilities of everyone, I know), but as regards jeans - my solution is to buy jeans that fit my hips and stomach comfortably, then take in waist and legs to be flattering. You could get a local dressmaker or alterations shop to do the same. It makes jeans comfortable and wearable, and gives a lot of confidence.

PS, I tried Spanx, they made me sweat like a pig and I felt too constricted. Never again!

I would
Only water Spanx for a special occasion if needed but I hate my tummy and 51.
Hrt didn't help. Actually made it worse.

That video was quite interesting tho I do tend to tuck in as Gok advises a lot.

A collection of nice belts helps.

I've had to up my jeans size after being a 12 for 20 years to a 14 and that actually helps too as I'm not bursting out of them. And dont be afraid of wide leg jeans as the are slimming on big tummy's.

Spanx are horrible.

Hey, I hope you don't mind me asking.. I'm waiting for a hysterectomy as I have one giant fibroid and a huge bump. Did your stomach go right down after?

Fellow Blobster here.
I’m 52 and in perimenopause.
I’m not overweight anywhere else and losing weight doesn’t seem to shift it.

Yes to front tie dresses.

I find I’m constantly holding myself in when in company.

I do own a pair of scuba type/Spanx knickers. They are pretty good but not comfortable to wear for any length of time.

What an unnecessarily rude reply.

Another 'blob' owner here joining in. I am only 5ft1 too so I have to be very selective about what I wear.
Following wholeheartedly.

I recommend a fit and flare, 90s/rockabilly style dress. It will flare over your stomach but goes in at the waist giving a nice shape and hiding the bits you want to gloss over. You can get some that have a bit of stretch too and are really comfy. I use these for both general and posh wear- you can posh them up for a wedding with nice shoes, necklace, short shrug cardy or wrap.

I've never bought any kind of tummy control shape wear but my swimming costume is of that ilk and is perfectly comfortable.
Should I therefore wear my swimming costume under dresses?? Or surely there must be the shape wear equivalent.

Oh my! I come back to so many responses.
Kit and Kaboodle look quite flowy and I cannot do Flowy as I am more Droopy. I've tried many times and it doesn't work.
I was reading an article in The Oldie about skirts which recommended calf length to those whose knees are becoming erm, aged. So I looked online for calf length skirts and there went my afternoon!
I do make some of my own clothes but it's a bit hit and miss. I have small boobs and a long body so any pattern needs adjustment and that is a PIA.
I refuse to do Spanx as I believe in comfort and will no longer put up with discomfort to look better.
I did DD's graduation and from the photographic evidence a wardrobe clearcut is definitely required.
There does not appear to be an easy answer. Gap in the market?

I think a skirt like this 1930's style would be good. It flows straight down from The Blob area. The woman with this blog vintage gal.co.uk wears lots of them.....made by her.