All my clothes look horrific on - massive out of proportion stomach

[Doublebubblegum]

Help!

I'm 41 and a size 14. Was a size 10-12 right up to about two years ago and now seem to be putting on weight very easily. I'm not too bothered by this but all the weight is going onto my stomach.

I've always had a slight belly but it's now got completely ridiculous. It's so out of proportion to the rest of me that about 90% of the clothes in my wardrobe now look awful on me.

To all others with out of proportion stomachs - what do you wear that is flattering? I think it makes It worse that I'm a sort of lopsided hourglass shape. Big boobs, big hips but small waist. Then BAM under my waist is this protruding stomach. I used to wear things to accentuate my waist (so for work I'd wear belted wide leg trousers with a shirt tucked in) but anything that accentuates my waist now just draws attention to my tummy.

I can no longer wear high waisted wide leg trousers/jeans (although I love the look of these! But just pull across my stomach and highlight this area). Mom jeans, skinny jeans etc are also out too. Anything with a drawstring waist just adds bulk to me.

In the summer I managed to find a couple of summer dresses that skimmed over the stomach area but now it's getting colder I've completely lost my way and have no idea what suits me any more. All the fitted/knitted dresses just look silly on me.

Please help!
(I know I should really look to find a way to lose this weight but honestly I don't have the energy right now. And I'm not really bothered about the extra weight, it's just the fact it's all going to one place! If it was fairly distributed I'd be fine 🤣)

Are there certain foods that make it worse? I bloat a lot if I eat bread and I try to keep carbs low. That helps me a lot. Also avoiding crisps (which are my downfall)

Have a look at Carys Whittaker on instagram. She's amazing.

No foods that make it worse really. It's just always here now.

I actually already follow Carys Whittaker! But she seems to put clothes on that instantly make her look slimmer. Everything I try has the opposite effect on me 😬

How are dresses that have a higher waist and a bit gathered around the bust?

I hear you OP! Im having to rethink my whole style. Anything with a drawstring waist makes me took like a sack done up in the middle. I’m thinking about selling a load of clothes and starting again. Now I know why women move to big pants!

They can look ok but I've got huge boobs (G cup) so try to avoid anything too boob-y

I got some Hollister trousers I saw on her IG recently, and they're actually flattering
The waistband has an elastic back and they're got a bit of pleating, no pulling at all

I sized down

www.hollisterco.com/shop/uk/p/hollister-livvy-ultra-high-rise-wide-leg-pants-57374561?categoryId=99210&faceout=model&seq=03

I have the exact same issue. Except I am now a size 16.
i have dreaded buying clothes this year. My favourite jeans are now totally worn out and I have no idea what to replace them with.

i tend to wear dresses and cardigans or a jersey type blazer right now. Not sure that is right or the best way to dress.

Recently ive been the exact same. Large bust and hourglass propoetions but lately moving, health issues, peri etc and I've gained a lot specifically in lower belly area

I do jumper dresses with a belt, baggy knitwear with leggings and nice boots
Slim flares and jumpers that are longer at the front than back so I get a bit of a bum/waist definition and hide the lower belly lol
"Dressing/styling an apron belly" is what I type into tiktok or YouTube to get style inspo

These are nice! But what sort of top would you wear with them?

I'd automatically wear a t-shirt tucked in, or a boxy jumper (something that sits on the waist) - but now that just exposes my stomach. But then I find anything that is longer and covers up the waist band makes me look frumpy. Aaaagh

I've found they're ok with a fitted top as the pleats are quite disguising to be honest
Wore them the other day with a black v neck fitted t shirt, white trainers and a camo jacket

Also I've gone with a bit of acceptance (I have endo belly) about my stomach too. I know it's tricky

I have the M&S magic jeans which are pretty flattering and stretchy as well

How about shift dress, opaque tights an ankle boots?

you sound like you have a similar shape to me op. I have slim shoulders, big boobs (gg) wide hips, smallish waist, huge tummy and skinny legs. What works best for me is
: shirt dresses but make sure they are not too tight so they don’t gape. For work I wear them with a blazer.

mid-rise jeans - high rise are awful on me. But I do find all types of trousers and jeans hard to buy as those that fit stomach are generally too big on my thighs. For work I wear with a silk shirt and blazer. Or a loose long sleeve boxy top from somewhere like Cos.

thin knit jumpers - I can’t wear anything chunky knit as I look huge. Zara do a very thin jumper in a range of colours every year for about £19. It’s a viscose mix and while I generally won’t buy jumpers in man made fabrics this one is fine.

I’ve given up on skirts.

cos is good for shapeless stuff to hide under 😂

This is the Zara jumper https://www.zara.com/share/basic-fine-knit-sweater-p01509105.html?v1=404185925&utm_campaign=productShare&utm_medium=mobile_sharing_iOS&utm_source=red_social_movil

Op, I don’t want to sound alarmist but have you seen a gp recently? When my sister had this issue, it turned out that she had a massive, benign, ovarian cyst. It was treated very effectively with a full hysterectomy after which she went back down to her usual size. It might be worth having a scan anyway as my sister had no other symptoms.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su115936/q44624#q44624

so this sort of a shape? Or am I way off?

https://www.instagram.com/carys.whittaker?igsh=bHJqaWtobTZlNjB4 Dresses really well to accommodate a bit of a belly. She might give you some ideas

Get yourself to the GP. Sudden onset bloating like this is often an early ovarian cancer symptom.

Are you in an emotionally abusive relationship as this happened to me when I was in one.
Are you drinking more or snacking more?
The diet for diabetes Uk website (no white carbs or sugar, protein with every meal) really helps

I have a similar shape to OP and find dresses like this very comfy, but they make me look pregnant.

I could have started this thread.

its such a downer isn’t it!

no advice as I’m literally in the same boat with similarly little clue.

i am going to watch this thread, thankyou for starting it @Doublebubblegum

Thanks @Doublebubblegum for starting the thread. I have similar issues, although my "core" has completely gone, and I have "apron belly" and "swollen belly" What works for me is a) trousers from ROMAN, they are tailored so don't look scruffy like leggings or anything similar but are massively stretchy in the places you need it like round the tummy but don't flap about your legs. b) longer line tops, so I am thinking of skimming the hips not the tummy. Also longer dresses can work well, they hide a multitude of sins and can be very comfortable. I prefer to wear one size up, than the right size. Wearing the right size sometimes makes my back ache as I am conscious of holding myself in. Like all of us, I know that the answer is just to do something about it, lose weight, regain ANY core, but hey, it is easy for people to say, and it's a quite a hard fix. xxx

I second (third) the suggestion for a trip to the GP.

I find shapewear really helps.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/firm-control-cool-comfort-shaping-body/p/clp60533931?color=ROSEQUARTZ#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r15c2

I wear this one, but M and S have lots of options if you search shapewear.

I also have these in black/beige which I wear over the top of underwear and they smooth everything, I don’t need to worry about gaps between trousers/top if I bend over.

www.matalan.co.uk/lingerie/lingerie/black-seamfree-shaping-body-black/14891356.html?switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&variation=14891360&creative=646698505085&keyword=&matchtype=&network=g&device=m&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=19547695827&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADw_vh2GA6aScRq2dM_s8Ww-JhPCQ&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7Py4BhCbARIsAMMx-_JMFlRL9Fsrs5L31WplHx7smtAmGElmmWTu8nfLBYRDCRNv2tbBNhgaAijAEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I've been feeling this way. I'd second the option for a shaping bodysuit, they're actually really comfortable and I've found mid waist trousers rather than high waist work so much better