How to hide a belly in a dress

[GettingStuffed]

Ok so this thread has come about following a Temu delivery. I had ordered a dress with a ruched (elasticated) waist and a v back with a frill. My, not insignificant, belly doesn't get a look in. I'm not going to link to the dress but I found one on ASOS which illustrates the idea. When you look at the dress consider where your eyes are drawn to.

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-elasticated-frill-waist-midi-slip-dress-in-bright-green-dobby/prd/204373149?clr=bright-green&colourWayId=204373151&SearchQuery=Elasticated+waist+dress

People always trot out that an Empire line is good for big stomachs, but it really isn't. It just makes you look pregnant.

Why won't you link to the dress OP?

No, that dress wouldn’t work well. Even if your tummy is hidden when standing still, it will be hughlighted in any movement. The material is too soft and the gathering isn’t enough.

What I would recommend is dresses of stiffer fabric such as stuff cotton or linen. They won’t cling as much when you walk.

I speak as someone who is a life long owner of a big tummy.

I have bought this dress. A ruched front is also good to soften a big tum.

https://www.johnlewis.com/adrianna-papell-crepe-tiered-sleeve-gown-dress-aqua/p110193583

And this one. It comes in a variety of colours…

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/womens-graduation-dresses/green-scuba-asymmetric-ruched-midi-dress/p/864136935

@PlatinumBrunette I also have that dress that @MiddleAgedAndExhausted linked but in a different print, I bought it for a wedding and love it. I am a 42, 36,42 (36F) with a tummy (thanks perimenopause) and that dress looks incredible on me. I bought if from Silk Fred online in a size 16. The jersey material is great for clinging to my boobs and giving them definition whilst skimming down over my stomach.

What I am saying is that the dress was amazing. The eye is drawn up to my boobs and the elastication gives me a waist again. It's also incredibly silky. I don't get the hate for polyester.

Dresses with an Empire line work best. Empire line means the narrowest point is just under the breasts. Empire line dresses can then be as loose as anything around the waistline which will cover up any belly one might have.

It's a shame you can't filter "Empire Line" on these fashion websites, that would help a lot.

So the reason you're not posting the dress link is because you're gatekeeping it? 😂

I have it too in green lol. Btw I picked up a couple of JM dresses in the Next sale after Christmas last year.

I’m really muddled. I can’t see how that dress would be any good for hiding a gut?!

@Mummyoflittledragon ah pants, I didn't know Next sold JM, I was trying to find a dress for a wedding that wasn't an obvious first choice, ah well. If someone is wearing the same dress I usually tell them what amazing taste they have rather than hiding in a corner. But I am grateful to know Next sell them, that is very convenient for me.

I’m not sure eye drawn to boobs means the dress hides your tummy, it’s more of a distraction technique.

I'm small enough but with a pregnant (but I'm not pregnant lol) stomach. Anything gathered under the bust looks horrendous on me-in fact I generally go skirt and top instead

But the elastication is nowhere near the models waist. It’s around her rib cage, empire line.

No. It DOES work. And the higher waistline also makes you look taller.

As a short person, I love the style. 😁

I think the empire line works for a belly that's lower. Like a c section / post baby overhang type thing (like mine!)

But if you have a higher belly, like a pregnant tum, that starts under your boobs it just sort of makes a shelf for the fabric to drape on top of and looks really noticeable and pregnant.

But agree, OPs linked dress is an empire line. Perhaps the real one isn't.

I don't know that I agree with your interpretation of 'where your eye is drawn to' OP, because my eye is drawn right to all that frilly ruching.

No it really doesnt. It might work for you and your shape but it doesn't for mine and many others with weight on their stomach. I've lost weight now so no longer an issue but my weight used to be all round my middle and the empire line just drapes over the belly and makes you look in the later stages of pregnancy. As pp said it just hangs off the stomach like a shelf. Even worse if you have big boobs then you just look like a pregnant medieval serving wench. I honestly don't think empire line looks good on anyone except perhaps very skinny, small chested teenagers.

It works for me as @GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut say, empire line works well on lower bellies. I’ve had a series of major abdominal surgeries. My belly button is about 3 inches too low so everything has dropped. This covers up the overhang I wouldn’t have had I not had these surgeries.