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?

I had breast cancer at 39 and lost all sense of everything after my treatment, so I decided for my 40th to get an analysis done. Turns out I’m a light spring Apple….I would encourage you so much to get one done as well, it really has turned everything around for me and I feel really good in what I wear now. I follow a lady called Emily on insta (StyleMeHappy) and she does them. I’d check her out xx

you should do what I did. up your cheese consumption until your weight is evenly distributed. problem solved. although for me it was more cookies than cheese.... and as a cookiemonster covered in fur, its a lot easier as we don't wear clothes.

sorry had to get the joke out of my system...

I quite like the offerings from monsoon.... and find heavier materials rather than floaty ones work better especially when clinched under the bust. a bit of shape wear, a great bra and it makes all the difference

Can you link to them please? I've tried on so many pairs of jeans recently, but nothing fits both my tummy and my bum/thighs.

Short skirts and a longish jacket. It always works

Very good! To be honest, the all I need to do is dye my new peri moustache blue and I'd be a dead ringer for The Cookie Monster.

I was such a Monsoon devotee as a student and hardly go in now, but did nip in on Saturday and found a gorgeous fine knit jumper which looks lovely tucked into a swing skirt and wide leg cords. I wore it for work today and got two compliments. Sadly, there were no dresses for me this year, but that seems to be the same everywhere at the moment.

https://www2.next.co.uk/g2251s1/860346#860346

Just got this and it’s a nice everyday wardrobe staple.

Love that dress @Nutellaonall

I've just bought a dark grey satin skirt with 20% off in the ASOS promotion plus some Stradivarius kitten heel sock boots, also a wide leg knitted loungewear set in grey - the jumper of which looks good with the skirt and boots.

The John Lewis ones I bought last year, so they are out of stock. These are the M and S ones. High Waisted Smart Wide Leg Jeans | M&S Collection | M&S (marksandspencer.com) I have a small bum and thighs.

Thank you! I shall try them tomorrow 😊I'm a typical apple so big boobs and tummy, long lean legs and a small bum.

I also have the wideleg cords from M and S. I am 5"7. May be too wide for some. I find wide leg balances out my tummy, and I wear a dark top. Cotton Rich Cord Wide Leg Trousers | M&S Collection | M&S (marksandspencer.com)

I found those too tight on the waist, unfortunately. I could see they would have suited me, if only I'd had another inch or two so I could breathe.

I have these too but I do have to size up to fit my waist. Which as an apple shaped 5,ft 3 doesn't really exist these days. Although they're slightly loose over the hips they still hang well & are incredibly comfortable.

I’ve got these wide leg crops. They don’t make my tummy flat, but with a fine knit tucked in they seem to balance me out a bit https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/asphodel-cropped-wide-cord-trousers

Any thoughts on either of these dresses for the vast of middle?
https://www.poetryfashion.co.uk/product-RA05-POEDS/colour-a-lilac-black/dresses-skirts/ecovero-viscose-printed-shirtdress.htm

https://www.poetryfashion.co.uk/product-RA25/colour-a-dark-bottle/merino-peplumdetail-dress.htm

I like both of those poetry ones op.

Unpopular opinion here but since you sound the same as me I’d say a skirt, top and cardi to break it up. I think most dresses are unflattering (unless you’ve big breasts, I don’t mean to project my flat chestedness onto you!!!)

https://uk.saintandsofia.com/products/olivia-zip-up-dress-blue-spot

I’ve bought this and felt nice in it. Obviously my waist isn’t like model but it’s not shapeless and doesn’t make me look pregnant.

tunic dress just above the knee with pleats in the front. Actually fitted fit.

@ChienneDesFromages the Poetry dresses are lovely and may work, I think. I love all of Poetry, tbh.

In my opinion, empire line dresses are flattering, as go in under the bust but aren't tight around the stomach.

I find bias cut dresses in a non cling fabric to be flattering

I think probably ok, but it depends on the dress and the boobs, as if boobs are decent sized dresses fall better from them. For people like me, there aren’t really boobs to fall from and there is a risk that the loose shape shows a tummy bump and that’s the only thing it shows. The lighter the fabric the higher this risk which is why I say these are probably ok. If it gets the right skim effect it’s great.

I'm the same shape as you OP.

For work I wear quite preppy clothes: fitted ankle skimming trousers with a shirt and v-neck jumper; high wasted skirts in a denim or similar; blazers are great. I like a skirt with a thick waist band.

Nothing too blousy or billowy. Fitted is better.

I have decided that at my age I am the shape I am and so be it. Yes, I have a tummy. No amount of drapey fabric is going to disguise that. So I just dress smart and feel good.

I find skater style dresses work well for me and I wear with leggings and boots