Would you wear a dress that makes your stomach look prominent?

[Specialneedsnightmare]

You might be able to tell that I'm not used to issues around weight as I've only gained in the last 3 years thanks to peri. Before that I was thin/underweight.

Someone bought me a summer dress as a gift. I really like it but it's tight fitting and makes my stomach stick out. I look about 5 or 6 months pregnant.

My question is...would you care? Would you still wear it? Or is wearing something that makes your stomach look big just not the done thing? I'd like to wear it but I feel so self conscious. Trying to gauge opinions. I have a feeling most people wouldn't wear something that draws attention to their stomach.

As an aside, I'm working on counting calories and trying to lose weight.

I wouldn’t, no.

Shein curve have nice summer dresses that are flattering. I'm not a fan of that one tbh

Wouldn't say you look pregnant from thay angle tho but you deserve to feel good so just get a few reasonable priced pieces from shein or new look etc to see you through summer feeling nice.
Nothing worse than hating what you wear, you'll never get healthier like that

Thanks everyone. I will leave it until I lose weight and in the meantime wear stuff that hopefully hides the belly a bit more!

Thanks, will take a look.

You do have a good body though so whilst you may want to lose weight, in the meantime find a good bra that will push your boobs up and something that is a looser over the stomach.

Just rub your tummy every so often and lean into it

Thanks. I was wearing a non wired bra at the time!

I wouldn’t. I hate my stomach. Also in the days of jeggings, I hate the bit of belly poking out under a too short top ( on me , obviously other people can wear whatever they like).

A bigger size might work. You can see it's tight all over. Life is too short to wear crap clothes.

I would also suggest getting a bigger size.

I also avoid clothes that highlight my stomach

I think it’s too small and ghe wrong bra, your stomach isn’t noticeable, as the pattern disguises or it’s no where near as bad as you think,

the issue isn’t the stomach, it’s it’s too small and wrong under wear. These dresses often come up small as they are usually made in China so usually better to size up, often two sizes.

I try to wear clothing that’s as flattering as possible, but my stomach sticks out in everything. I get bloating and discomfort so could never wear shape wear.

I wouldn’t wear something that makes me feel self conscious, and I wouldn’t want to look pregnant unless I actually were.

That dress is 95% polyester. Even if it fit perfectly, it would feel hot and sweaty on a sunny day. There are plenty of other, nicer dresses out there.

OP - I don’t think it’s so much that your stomach is sticking out but that the dress is a bit tight for you.

No I wouldn’t! I’d be so self conscious and wear a huge cardigan to cover it up.

I don't mind sticking to my stomach a bit, but I have stopped wearing anything gathered under the bust as it totally makes me look pregnant. Been asked a few times if I was pregnant when wearing that shape - I didn't mind as I am stomach heavy, I mostly felt sorry for the people who asked it as they probably thought I was upset, but I wasn't at all bothered.

But I'm getting to the stage where I look old enough that I don't imagine people will think I'm pregnant any more!

No way. If something doesnt flatter my figure and minimise if not hide my imperfections its an automatic big fat no

If you are on insta, thefashion_lift just did a post of summer dresses that don’t cling to the stomach /flattering for those who don’t want stomach highlighted, might be worth a look for dress shape ideas.

This is exactly what I deal with too, looking normal then bam, massive swollen belly. I am so used to it now but I do wear clothes that skim over my stomach rather than anything tight to show it. I am beyond the age now where people would wonder if I am pregnant.

OP if you don't feel comfortable and shapewear doesn't help then don't wear the dress. It may be okay for other people but if that isn't you then don't feel bad about that.

Thanks everyone - all the comments and suggestions are really helpful!

That's a very sweet dress! I like the bow at the back. If you have boobs, I'd expect the neckline would draw attention away from your midsection.

I do wear things that show my sticky-out tummy. Life's too short to hide under tents. At the last social 'event' I went to, I wore a column dress and realised halfway through that I'd stopped sucking myself in and was now bulging in the middle. I decided I didn't care, why should I?

I have been known to wear 'iron knickers' (Spanx type) when an outfit calls for a very smooth line - very rarely, though. Look around, women are all shapes and sizes while wearing clothes! And let's not look too closely at the men.

I think it's just too small. If you size up, it will fit better everywhere and be more flattering. I also think since it's an Amazon dress, it's just not the best made. The seams may not lay well or be placed in the most flattering ways which accentuates every lump and bump. You don't look pregnant at all to me. You just look squeezed into an ill fitting dress.

No, because it would make me self conscious. Plus something tight fitting in hot weather is not comfortable.

Don't wreck the dress by wearing it when it's too small. Put it by to wear next year when you've lost some weight. I'd buy a dress that fits me now to wear this year.

Lovely dress and you have a fab figure but I’d say no. I’m also peri and have weight on my stomach that I didn’t before so I’m more of a 12 on the bottom and 8/10 on top which I find makes it hard to dress. I feel really uncomfortable with anything that emphasises my stomach for exactly your reason that I think it makes me look pregnant. I have tried to just shake off the feeling but it’s hard. And f you’re not comfortable, then no.

There are so many gorgeous summer dresses around that are flattering, that I definitely wouldn’t wear one that would make me feel self conscious. I have recently bought this https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-shirred-waist-v-neck-cap-sleeve-midi-dress-baja-blue/p114546492 which is so flattering on my pudgy middle.