What clothes work if you carry your weight around your middle?

[ChienneDesFromages]

I’m 45 and have changed shape over the last year or so. I’m not huge- size 12, and average height, but carry all my excess weight around my middle (I know that’s not a healthy distribution.) I’ve lost lots of waist definition-I’m sort of rectangle shaped nowadays! However, I’m pleased to say I’ve still got lovely old legs.

I’m not into shapeless dresses as that seems to make it worse. I want to make the most of what’s left- not hide it under swathes of floral viscose.

I’m keen to try some different styles, but I’m a bit clueless. What styles work well for someone carrying a bit of perimenopausal heft (not unrelated to cheese consumption) around the middle?

This is a relaxed velvet blazer from M & S that I've been considering @ChienneDesFromages
it's also got 7% elastane, so I think it will be a good fit, my only reservation is a few of the reviews have said it's a bit shiny, so I'd like to see it in store. Shiny velvet always looks a bit cheap I think.

This is quite helpful too, Melissa Murrell is a stylist and shows how to dress different body shapes on You Tube, this is the bigger tiummy one...

m.youtube.com/watch?v=tFigLE1RiKg

I'm a tall goblet shape, so big boobs, not much waist definition and slim bum and legs. Shirt dresses are my no1, generally they have a v neck or can be worn a little undone, I always get them with a tie belt and short (midi dresses make me look like a huge barrel shape). Fit and flare and skater dresses are also super flattering, but not so easy to find now, 10 years ago they were everywhere. Empire line is a big NO NO. They are awful on me, strictly reserved for maternity wear. Dresses with a little tie at the back are great too as you can create shape. I always wear dresses that give the illusion of a waist.

Can you please explain this!

How is a wrap dress ‘good for hiding a mum tum’? It wraps around the tum.

You don't want to draw attention to that area so anything that sits on the waist isn't going to be flattering.

The wrap sits on the waist….?

I’m so

The only time I was mortifyingly congratulated on a non-existent pregnancy was when I was wearing an empire-line top.

Never worn one since - and certainly wouldn’t now that I have a peri-spread…. 😬

Wrap dresses and Empire line look fucking awful when you carry your wright around your middle. The holy grail dress for those with weight on the stomach is supposed to be the Whistles Alba dress. I watched a video where the Stylist dressed someone of this shape in it and the difference was amazing. It was so flattering.

Following this and agree with most of it.

Layers, tailored trousers, white shirts, cashmere tank tops, blazers work for me.

I can't find a dress style that looks current but also flatters my shape (size 12, 5'6, does lots of exercise but peri middle).

Watching with interest! (But I can't believe Boden is the answer to anyone problems!)

A wrap dress does work because it’s cut on a diagonal and you can tie it under the bust, on the slimmest part of your waist area.

This shows how hard it is to dress this shape because everyone has different advice. Wide leg trousers with a french tuck work for me; may not for others. I can even sometimes get away with a dress that belts at the waist, if the fabric is right. It all depends on fabric, colour, even my time of the month!

Another trick that really works is a dark top and dark trousers- navy, black- then a brightly coloured layer- cardie, jacket- over it.

But how does that look good, if you’re ballooning/spreading out underneath the tie…?

I think as PPs have said it depends so much on the cut and fabric of the dress. I find on me too much fabric and it looks awful, but a nice thick drapey cotton or jersey fabric in a pattern works well!

I’m a size 16-18, and long-waisted so anything with a defined waistline rides up and looks ridiculous but looser styles make me look old and pregnant 🙄

Apricot have flattering styles and their sizing is great for the bigger bust/ expanding tummy bloat situation

Spanx are great for smoothing tummies. They’re not cheap but are definitely worth it. I like these shorts. But they do knickers and longer shorts. These are on sale. https://www.asos.com/spanx/spanx-seamless-contouring-boyshort-in-beige/prd/203451981?currencyid=1&browsecountry=GB&affid=28280&_EAIaIQobChMIksrR25f6gQMVnv_tCh1VVALUEAQYBiABEgInXPD_BwE&channelref=product+search&ppcadref=20546713158%7C%7C&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIksrR25f6gQMVnv_tCh1VVALUEAQYBiABEgInXPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Tying something under your bust when you have a big bust and weight on your stomach just makes you look pregnant. If I put weight on it all goes to the front of my stomach like a little pot belly so dresses like this are awful.

I agree, I have a light denim wrap dress, I think it is flattering. It has quite a big tie that looks like a bow so it draws your eye away from the tummy. It's a v neck so is great for my bust. I think for a wrap dress you need quality fabric that holds itself well, anything too drapy will make your tummy look big. I can clinch in my waist and it gives me shape.

I'm an apple shaped size 16. I am a huge fan of wide legged jumpsuits. I have lots from jolie moi and they are so flattering.

I have a lovely onesie style from Mango, it's a button front shirt style and has a tie belt. It's not too short either. I love it.

Wide leg trousers don't suit me at all. They make me look shorter and wider.

If you get something wiht the right waistband and the rest is flowy then it does create a waist. Mid/high rise trousers or skirt for me. Then the flowy bits hide that your tummy comes quite a long way out from under boobs.

I think skimming is better than fitted or too baggy.
I like a grown on elasticated waistband, a deep shirred waist or the flat stretch waist like on yoga pants.
Sometimes I think sizing up also helps, in knickers, jeans and bias cut skirts.
I wear lots of skimming (to bikini line length) sleeveless tops untucked under blazers and long cardigans with jeans, wide legs, leather leggings, leather wide leg crops etc
I also find a long stretch vest top (to hips) with wide straps to cover bra straps, smooths everything out.

Ymmv, but wrap dresses have always been good for me, you can get good DVF ones on ebay for a song.

Empire line is a no go usually.
Shift dresses are weirdly good.

I find dresses like this work well. Nobody's Child do loads. Empire line, but no bunchy gathers at the front to make you look pregnant. I find the fabric just skims over the tum.

Fit and flare are good too - just a suggestion of a shape, but no cling.

Shirt dresses look awful on me - looks like someone tied a belt around a breeze block.

Pleated skirt are also tricky, because no matter what I do, the pleats just sit on my stomach.

I find shift dresses work well for me as well as straight leg jeans and wide leg trousers. They balance me out otherwise I can look top heavy. I don’t go for fit and flare style as my waist isn’t much smaller than my hips and I just look massive.

ttps://www.y-a-s.com/en-gb/yascharlot-mini-dress-26030352_Black_1032404.html?srsltid=AfmBOorHfsh-1wD2lAogBJIjqeaSRvV0Ts634DsLuOi3DcONdPu9tLu3ipg

I got this dress Im not as blessed with nice legs and this was out of my comfort zone but it is a really flattering shape and i have ample curves and rolls