Dressing for the menopausal midriff

[Cornflakecrack]

It’s always been my ‘problem area’ I have a rectangular brick like body with long limbs but have always had a bloated rounded lower belly with along with no waist at all isnt an easy shape to dress for. Brick shape means a big rib cage also although my boobs are relatively small.

I have rock hard abs underneath it from all the core work I do but it makes no difference I’m always bloated in shape.

Now add on the meno belly extra layer of fat on belly and love handle area and it’s really getting me down clothing wise. Nothing hangs right, I look like a teletubby and it’s just so ageing. It screams middle age (which I am but who needs to be shouting it!).

If I wear ‘floaty’ or shift shapes the fabric will skim across my belly and make me look pregnant

I cant wear fitted dresses as I have nothing to fit to as no waist.

Cropped anything is awful

Long is awful as see floaty above

Mum jeans just look ridiculous

Just about can do a half tuck with a t shirt or shirt but I have to have elasticated waist trousers else they don’t fit (which are thankfully all the rage right now)

Im a Zara/Free people on pay day kind of dresser.

All help grateful received.

I often buy clothes from here as the lady that models them (size 16) is probably a similar shape/age to me, so if they flatter her, in theory they should flatter me!

https://chesterboutique.com/products/turn-up-linen-trousers-black?pos=4&&sid=6c503d13b&ss=r

yes, i think a certain type of skirt is preferable.

Another menopausal brick here.

I also like to wear wide trousers - these m&s ones are flattering:

https://www.marksandspencer.com/wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60506507?color=BLACK&prevPage=srp#intid=plpnav_pid_pg1pip48g2r4c1

I (unfortunately) don't have a big chest, but I find that wearing a v neck or a shirt with a couple of buttons open draws attention away from my middle. Classic t shirts make me look more 'blocky'.

Oh and I avoid prints too - I much prefer plain colours.

What do you use ?

I have this sort of shape and I've found jump Suits and play suits to be my friend. I've got some relatively fitted ones, and more flowy ones. By my very favourite is a jersey one from Hush. It's got an elasticated waist, tapered trousers and a sort of baggier top but that sort of sits over the waist band so great for disgusting the tum.

I wear a lot of culottes with tops that are neither cropped or very long, somewhere in the middle. I also do a bit of a half tuck.

Is there anyway to make it less noticeable?
like can I stop it?

@BansheeofInisherin I think we have a similar approach. I also wear a lot of camis and linen shirts in summer, because I'm very pale and I find this easier than fighting with sun cream all the time! I don't wear black all the way down in summer, more like khaki (my go to colour at present, like a khaki vest top, khaki long skirt off Vinted, white linen shirt). It's all quite flowy but with a hint of strappiness at the top. I also love V necks and just having one button done up on a shirt, not all the way down or it clings to my stomach. Tactics!

I am 5.2 size UK 18 or 20 with bloat belly and 2 x c sections .
It's difficult. I am finding it hard to diet enough to get the belly down bread doesn't help. There are underlying issues but yes generally I always look preggo. My go to shop is Roman or Klass, some of the styles maybe a bit older for you probably but the culottes are elasticated waist and move with u. Not as unforgiving as leggings which I am too old for. For jeans I go to Sainsbury's and pick up short length jeans with a small kick flare as with boots in winter these look good paired with a longer length jumper. Pea coats!!! The length suits smaller people better.
Try to avoid double breasted styles which just add bulk

Military styled dresses and coats cardis etc give some interest to our shoulders and take away from belly area. Embellishments , beads glitter or lace trims should be kept at the top or bottom of any tops or dresses to keep the eye off the middle , v neck anything is usually flattering.

Try different shops and don't be afraid to try everything on. Shapewear is sweaty and restrictive not for everyone. Light control knickers that don't roll down are better. Also my top tip if it applies is look into Snag tights do tights that are cut off at the knees for chub rub on the thighs if this is also an issue and let's you wear dresses easier. They hold you in gently xx godsend in summer .They also sell skirts shorts and full length tights in funky colours.

Years ago my mum wore a 24-hour girdle. (Why were they called 24-hr girdles? Surely you wouldn’t sleep in it?) I suppose the only way to deal with a wobbly tummy is a really painful pair of Spanx.

I always had a flat stomach and small waist (preen!) but lockdown feasting and advancing age and - splat - my stomach looks like a deflated barrage balloon and my waist I swear grows by an inch a day.

I am not lithe of limb so fat body + fat arms and legs = all clothes looking terrible on me

Those of you with this shape, do you mind sharing your bust-waist-hips & height measurements?

This sounds like me. I tend to wear long sleeve black T-shirts most of the year with a nice scarf to sort of distract from the tummy. And just jeans to go with it. Not sure if I am getting anything right style wise but it sort of works for me

I don''t really measure myself much but am 5"7.
Bust is 34 B
Waist probably 30-31 inches. Quite flabby. Scared to measure and can't find my tape measure anyway!
Hips quite narrow. Maybe 33? Size 10 knickers.

I don't want to wear Spanx daily.

@Harping you wear black year around? Don;t you get hot or bored?

Really? Even the model doesn't look good in that hessian sack!

I'm not sure about the wide leg trousers on this body shape - if you have slim legs you shouldn’t hide them away! If you look up styling an Apple body type hopefully you’ll get some good tips. I seem to remember reading empire line tops and dresses are flattering, and short sleeves if you have slim arms. Play to your strengths and hide the rest with loose cuts

If you’re very thick around the waist it’s good for hiding it though.

I don't have slim legs so that's why they work for me!

Well I live in Scotland so it’s only really May and June that it’s hot enough to abandon black

I’ve decided to never leave the house again, problem solved 😩

I thought the weight gain around my stomach was due to the menopause, it turns out I have a 16cm x 12cm fibroid, a 4cm ovarian cyst and my womb is the size of a five month pregnancy. It might be an idea to visit a doctor.

Ah interesting. I like wide leg trousers, as long as they're relatively neat fitting around around the hips.

I look awful in empire line dresses - they just accentuate my tummy even more.

A line dresses work for me - neat around the shoulders and skimming the waist.

@VitoCorleoneOfMNMafia I only buy the jersey dresses and tunics from White Stuff, and the other shops that cater to menopausal women. They don't need ironing, don't cling and I would second pairing them with the previously mentioned Snag tights in contrasting colours (Better Tights are good too).

I recently bought a maternity dress by mistake as it was on the sale rail along with the regular clothing. I was impressed at how it hung nicely and how it didn't hug my tummy. It was only when i got it home that i noticed the label said maternity. So that would be my tip! This dress was from h&M, which in my opinion only really caters for small baby bumps anyway, so some of the more generous maternity brands might be a bit baggy and not work.

Another vote for Seasalt. I have this (in a different colour, purchased two years ago) River Cove Dress - Seasalt Cornwall and this (also in a different colour) Brush Drawing Dress - Seasalt Cornwall . Both have pockets and disguise my pregnant-looking figure.

Thank you for the suggestion of White Stuff - I will take a look.

Another one for the half tuck blouse and jumper