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 🤣)

Another recommending a GP visit, hopefully it is nothing but there was a poster here a few years ago with the same problem and on recommendation from MN went to the GP and was found to have a large cancerous tumor. I believe it was removed and she was fine, so do go and get checked out.

Weight that goes on around the stomach is normally due to stress and high cortisol levels so it's worth dealing with that, increasing self care / meditation whatever works for you too.

How does she do it? Her belly is even bigger than mine but she looks fabulous. I look like a sack of potatoes.

I'm exactly the same op but I'm now a size 18. It's so depressing. I could handle it if I'd put weight on everywhere, but it's my boobs- HH- and tummy it's all on. I'm seriously considering weight loss injections as a calorie controlled diet and exercise doesn't seem to be doing anything.

Please make an appointment with your GP. When this happened to me it turned out I had advanced uterine cancer that had metastasised.

Abdominal bloating is the first symptom listed for ovarian cancer. https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/ovarian-cancer
Better safe than sorry. Book the GP. It might be nothing, it might be something.

I have this issue. Always been size 14-16 but was in proportion until after my second child when my stomach just now seems always bloated on out of proportion. Winter I live in jeans and baggy jumpers / sweatshirts to be honest (but nice ones!) or leggings / tights with shirt dresses (ones with a tie waist seem to help). The key thing is buying the right size and not being afraid to size up if needed but it’s tricky as some dresses are then massive in other areas. I really should lose weight or change my diet to help but it’s hard.

I have a similar build and I find the most effective thing is to do a short core workout 3 times a week. Boring but it really helps hold everything in.

Things which are tight at the wrist and ankle but voluminous elsewhere seem to work. Cropped trousers and sleeves to show off "bonier" bits of you. I like pencil trousers with a polo neck and a knitted tunic over the top.

Pattern also looks more flattering as I get older and bigger as the eye travels through it!

Thanks all. Not that I wish this physique on anyone else but it is heartening to know I'm not the only one struggling to find flattering clothes!

I will make a GP appointment just because so many people have suggested that I do. Honestly though my (massive - ha!) gut instinct tells me there's nothing more to this than just me being a bit fat.

Not to make excuses (although I appreciate it sounds like I am!) when I do cardio I just lose weight from my boobs and then I look even worse. And when I was doing weight training I really bulked up and seemed to get wider. I probably eat too much chocolate and drink too much wine (although no more than I always have done, I just used to be lucky I suppose and never really put weight on). But I don't want to cut out sugar or change my diet massively. I get lots of enjoyment from food! I just want to find some clothes that work for my shape as it is now.

I have the same issue, my legs are really slim but my belly and chest are huge.

My high waisted jeans no longer fit and just dig in to my massive meno belly. The weight just refuses to come off and I haven't changed my diet but I am going through perimenopause.

I’m the same with in that any weight I gain goes straight to my stomach. My mum, and my late Nanna were the same. For me the answer is to lose some weight as everything I try on looks awful, and now i’m approaching 50 I know it’s not just vanity but health. It’s miserable as I enjoy food so much but when I look in the mirror I feel so miserable.

If you are making a gp appointment ask for an hba1c blood test. Belly fat is a key sign of insulin resistance. When your hormones drop in your 40s your body can't control blood glucose as well as when you were younger leading to a redistribution of fat. Ideally you want your hba1c to be in the low 30s.

Not to make excuses (although I appreciate it sounds like I am!)
It does.

when I do cardio I just lose weight from my boobs and then I look even worse.
From a GG cup?

And when I was doing weight training I really bulked up and seemed to get wider.
You shouldn't be.

I probably eat too much chocolate and drink too much wine
Neither of which are known for reducing belly size.

How is this helpful? OP has been really clear that this isn't a thread about weight loss, it's about dressing the body she has.

I was about to post the same response @Whoowhoo Unhelpful and rude. I hope OP ignores.

I have the same issue in menopause. I am a 12 but with a large belly.
I don't have ovarian cancer ( already checked).
I don't eat sugar, UPF or a lot of carbs.I don't drink. In fact I eat way over 50 plants a week. My diet is super healthy.
Most of my family are the same.
Exercise doesn't help much though I am going to keep trying. I lose weight off my butt instead. Plan to begin weights soon.

Some of us are just built this way. It's very hard to style. Another insta influencer you might want to look at is Lottie Dryden.

I have the same Buddha belly from ongoing cancer treatment and I've rethought my whole silhouette - including the loss of a breast. What works for me is....
Straight leg jersey trousers with an elasticated waistband (M&S have a huge choice). These cradle your belly but dip in underneath. On top I wear a very loose cami top that ends exactly where tummy ends and legs start, and then a boxy jumper/tee shirt over it that ends in the middle of the widest bit of tummy. Sounds complicated but it gives me a straight down shape ending in slim legs - the chemise juts out and over tummy and peeps out a couple of inches under jumper.
Like this but a pattern works best
https://www.monsoon.co.uk/brooke-embellished-cami-top-7473797953.html
Topped with something like
https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1137692003.html

i have a massively out of proportion stomach. Digestive issues and the majority of my fat going on there means it’s huge in comparison to rest of me. I went to a lovely person who assess your body type - you just stand in a machine for 5 seconds - colour type & clothing style and gives you advice or can buy the clothes for you. It was money well spent! I feel fabulous now and love getting dressed again. I lost half the weight I want to lose without thinking go about it because I was just happier! I’ve had some more health issues and a stones gone back on which I don’t like and will get off again when I can but it doesn’t matter as clothes still look amazing. I can pm her details if you live close enough to Berkshire to go or you’re happy to do it online.

I am similar and find the best approach is to spend time on fishing flattering trousers (mid rise for me) and then wear tops that are fitted ish and not tucked in. Ideally that end mid way between tummy button and crotch.

My first thought was that you should see a GP so I'm glad you're going to make an appointment!

I'm an hourglass shape but bloat horribly from endometriosis and general food intolerances so I understand the difficulty.

I know you said no to high waisted, but have you considered maternity jeans? I wear them sometimes when I'm particularly bad and can't bear any pressure. Over the top I wear a loose (go up a size or two) merino or cashmere jumper which hides everything.

I'm in the exact same boat @Doublebubblegum!

I've found that wearing:

• tapered or straight trousers (chinos or completely black jeans) - mid rise not high waisted
• tucked in vest top - same colour as trousers (black!)
• an oversized colourful shirt open over the top (shirt has to be longer than hips)
• plus a load of layered necklaces

seems to work for some reason. Even though it sounds like the open shirt would expose the belly area and also the trousers would emphasise our hourglass thighs/hips... I think it's about distraction!

The trousers I have are: https://www.whitestuff.com/p/2326/savannah-stretch-trousers/PURE_BLK

The right length of top is crucial for me. I can't wear crop tops but equally long tunics look terrible and matronly.

I try to find slightly loose but semi fitted tops that sit on the waist. I look worse if I wear huge tops to cover up my tummy.

If it's sudden and unexplained weight gain, have you seen the doctor? I had the same and it turns out I have fibroids. Waiting for a hysterectomy to sort those out.

I am having the same issue (perimenopause and high stress?) - size 14, high waist, was an hourglass with a small waist and knew exactly what I could wear, now I am really struggling.
my best buy recently were these from mint velvet (awful pics on the website though)
https://mintvelvet.com/products/navy-pinstripe-wide-trouser
worn with a boxy tee or cropped jumper.

I had exactly the same. Also had a hysterectomy. I’d also recommend you asking for a thyroid check whilst you’re at it! You may as well have a full MOT! Good luck.

I'm guessing that you're still hourglass from the front pretty much, and the 'issue' is the side view? If so I'd try jersey column dresses with a loose cardigan or jacket over. From the front you see the hourglass framed by the cardi/jacket. From the side you see the cardi/jacket.