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 🤣)

I bought some Hollister clothes second hand in a charity shop almost at random this summer and I was really pleased with how flattering they were, too. There was one top where I just got compliments all day when I wore it! It hadn't been on my radar before that.

Oh I'm so glad they work! I was a bit "hollister? As if I'll fit in those" at first but thought I would give them a go

@buffyspikefaith I went back on their website to order a black pair (the pair I ordered are grey) but they only have them left in XS. I must admit I would never have considered Hollister. I spent many a Saturday in there with DD when she was a teenager - a hellish experience! I love the jumpers I ordered too. They all go beautifully with the trousers.
https://www.hollisterco.com/shop/uk/p/hollister-comfy-cloud-cable-knit-crew-sweater-58626356?faceout=model&seq=02 This one is so soft.
https://www.hollisterco.com/shop/uk/p/oversized-argyle-pattern-crew-sweater-56286348?categoryId=85722&faceout=model&seq=01
and https://www.hollisterco.com/shop/uk/p/cable-knit-icon-v-neck-sweater-58626364?categoryId=85722&faceout=model&seq=01

I got the grey but the pinstripe and black are on my wish list. Bought them for work but they're so comfy I've been wearing them at home too

I've just ordered the grey! Sadly sold out in pinstripe for my size.

I managed to order a black pair - they came back in stock! I'm very happy.

I have this problem. Think I'm going to try lipo and wegovy because i am absolutely sick of it. Nothing looks nice.

Oh brilliant! Has anyone with these, you or @buffyspikefaith tumble dried them? I ordered a medium which is ok but I think I'm probably in-between medium and large, so not sure if they'll shrink horribly?

I love them though, so soft. Although no way is that 5'10" model wearing regular, I'm three inches shorter and should have gone for long really.

@Whoowhoo I haven't as I don't have a tumble dryer! I probably wouldn't chance it if I where you. My black pair arrived today so will wear them to work next week - exciting!

Cheers. They really are great trousers, and I would never ever have looked in Hollister otherwise. I'm tempted to buy every colour now!

I went into Zara and Mango today and got the rage. So many gorgeous cropped jumpers and tiny Chanel style tweed jackets. They all looked horrific on my menobelly and cut me off at the wrong place. But the longer chunkier knits looked terrible too. Bought nothing.

I might buy those Hollister trousers in despair. No idea what to wear on top.

I'm the same shape, but size 16, as the result of pregnancies and c section. I find the 'fit and flare' styles quite flattering...something like this...

I tried a load of jumpers on in Next the other day and I looked like an American footballer nothing fitted or flattered, they just hung.

It's really demoralising going clothes shopping at the moment.

I have fibroids so body is in proportion apart from a big, domed lower belly.
My one tip is that patterns confuse the eye so avoid a solid colour block on your front - jumper dress probably a no.
Trinny and susanah had some good ideas in their 90's TV programme. I recall they would break up a 'bump' so don't wear a top that covers all of your belly but one that covers half of it. Again it confuses the eye.

I ordered some of the Hollister black trousers. I ordered XXL (I'm usually a 20) and they were fine on the waist, but huge on the lower stomach/thighs/bum. Really baggy and unflattering. I'm going to try an 18 but suspect the waist will be too tight. This is my problem in all trousers.

I also ordered some of the kick flare jeans, in a 20 (meant to be equivalent to a UK 22). They were way too tight - especially on the hips, which are usually fine for me. They don't go any bigger, so no sale.

And this is why it's impossible to shop online. The hassle of returning this order and re-ordering is almost not worth it (except I really, really need some new trousers).

This is my problem with trousers too. I've ordered the hollister ones but not arrived yet. Sounds like I'll probably have the same problem as you.

@SnapdragonToadflax I'm also really tired of online clothes shopping, there's certain items and brands I can be fairly sure will fit but everything else is a random shot in the dark. Trousers are the worst in my experience; skirts are a bit easier as if the waist fits then it just hangs down.

Do you drink alcohol? That has a huge impact on bloat.

This. If you are in your 40s (or any age really) and developing a big abdomen it is really important to see your GP.

For those who've ordered the Hollister trousers, how did you find the length? Im not sure which to go for.

I'm in the exact same position.

I used to know what to wear but not anymore.... had to rethink!

I'm short of torso, tops have to be a certain length, with the hem at my hip bone. I have to alter many tops. It's tedious.

No tucking in sadly. No curved hems. Stretchy jeans or trousers with high waist work well. Size up if you need to as you always get one of those pop in jeans buttons if they are a bit loose.

No barrel or mum jeans!!

Personally no, I don't. I don't have digestive or gynae issues, it's not bloating - it's just how my body stores fat. I carry all my weight on my torso.

I'm 5" 5' with longish legs and they were the perfect length on me with trainers.

Sorry is that the regular or short?

Sorry, regular.