By Lois Joy Johnson, AARP November 2024
Unfortunately most of us have had that belly bulge at one time or another in our lives. There are numerous ways to hide that belly bulge. Choose structured jackets, untucked shirts and monochromatic outfits to divert attention from a thick middle.
The last time you tucked in a tee or wore a belt was 2000? You’re still blaming a C-section back in 1989 for your spare tire? In profile your girly gut protrudes as much as your 34DD breasts? Join the club. It’s not just you. Everyone complains about their belly. Even guys do. But as women over 50, we like to hide our bellies away. We put the onus on cheap zippers, jeans that shrunk in the wash, insomnia snacking and of course … menopause. It’s time to take control. No, I’m not talking about Ozempic or Wegovy. Here are 20 diet- and exercise-free ways to win the battle of the bulge with style:
1. Wear bold, attention-getting prints
You know the way patterned wallpaper disguises a bumpy wall or how a multi-tone rug hides a floor in bad shape? That’s exactly how dresses and belly-covering tops work to camouflage a bulge. The key is to select tops and dresses in “busy” all-over prints like florals, and especially trendy leopard, and let them create a fool-the-eye stylish look that makes a belly vanish. Try the Liz & Me Mockneck Sweater Dress in Soft Camel Animal ($45, jessicalondon.com), a cozy midi in leopard, or the Chico’s No Iron Leopard Print Shirt in Camel ($90, chicos.com), a button-down to wear untucked.
2. Move up to empire waists
No need to define your waist at the halfway mark if your belly is in the spotlight. For many women over 50, the narrowest spot on their torso is actually right beneath the bust or a few inches above the waist, making empire tops like the Croft & Barrow Three-Quarter Sleeve Smocked Blouse in Wine Rose Bunches ($24, kohls.com) and dresses like the Florynce Empire Waist Dress in Dark Sapphire ($83, juneandvie.com) a simple solution. And you’ll still get body definition!
3. Make untucked tops and tunics your daily go-tos
Draw the line at tuck-in tops and stick to longer ones that make a belly a non-issue. The key to success is choosing those with a looser, more relaxed fit, like the J.Jill Luxe Supima Turtleneck Tunic in Gingerbread Heather ($69, jjill.com) or the L.L. Bean Women’s Tee Three-Quarter Sleeve Splitneck Tunic in Dark Cranberry, Deep Turquoise or Black ($35, llbean.com).
4. Create a diversion with flattering necklines
No one will be looking at your belly if what’s going on at the neck and shoulders has eye appeal. In fact, boatnecks, Vs and unbuttoned-to-a-V shirts can be one of the easiest ways to flip the focus. In addition, any really embellished style like the Roaman’s Lace Neck Eyelash Sweater in Ivory or Black ($90, roamans.com) or the Zara Woman Shirt With Embossed Gold Buttons in Light Blue 9699/255 ($46, zara.com/us) with emphasis on top will also get second glances.
5. Pick a peplum
No question that a fit-and-flare peplum top effectively hides a pooch but maintains a shapely silhouette. They’re often harder to find, but retro-inspired styles like the Eloquii Peplum Zipper Sweater in Cartouche ($90, eloquii.com) are now an under-the-radar trend. Grab one when you see it.
6. Switch all your underwear to shapewear ASAP
Stock up on control panties and bodysuits for a smoother line. Subtle to moderate compression like the Spanxsculpt Seamless Power Shorty in Chestnut Brown, Very Black or Cafe au Lait ($32, spanx.com) can make middle management an easy daily habit.
7. Dress in monochromatic black
Wearing an entire outfit in one color head to toe always creates the illusion of a slimmer torso. This strategy works with any color — from navy to gray or even green — but most women’s wardrobes have enough black clothing to pull belly-control looks together fast. The Gap Factory Oversized CashSoft Mockneck Sweater in Black ($36, gapfactory.com) is a perfect choice.
8. Ditch zippers for pull-on styles
Having no belts, belt loops, rivets or flies in the way makes dressing around a bulge simple. A stretchy smooth front design in elastic-waist jeans like the Chico’s Pull-On Flare Trouser Jeans in Maia Indigo ($52, chicos.com) and pants like the Croft & Barrow Women’s Effortless Stretch Pull-On Straight-leg Pants in Black ($28, kohls.com) allows untucked tops, sweaters and even closed blazers look bump free.
9. Throw on a long blazer or cardigan
These open-front toppers have always been the go-to when women want extra camouflage below the waist since they frame the body to whittle the width of hips and thighs and cover the rear. Now choose those that work closed — from a “boyfriend” and double-breasted blazer like the Quince Women’s Ultra-Stretch Ponte Double Breasted Blazer in Navy ($70, quince.com) to refined ladylike styles like the Anne Klein V-Neck Patch Pocket Cardigan in Anne White ($119, nordstrom.com) — for fashionable coverage.
10. Stand up straight
In fact, sit up straighter too. I bet you don’t realize how slouching and hunching your shoulders affects the look of your belly. When you slump, muscles do too! Keep shoulders back and down, head and neck extended (imagine a string pulling your head up) and your “core” lifted.
11. Wear a crossbody bag or carry a big clutch
Any crossbody bag can be an effective ally 24/7 if you position it front and center. So can a clutch for evenings if you hold it in front rather than tucked under your arm or at your side. However, choose elegant options like the chain-strapped style like the A New Day Rouched Chain Crossbody Bag in Brown ($25, target.com) or the quilted H&M Rectangular Crossbody Bag in Light Beige ($30, hm.com) — not too big, not too small. Slung across the torso, they can be worn indoors and out while keeping extra pounds and bloat just between you and the scale. If you do choose to go the monochromatic route in tip No. 7, choose a bag in a contrasting color so the bag doesn’t read visually as part of the belly.
12. Pair any sweater or top with a long dazzling scarf
Wrap and let it dangle in front like a rockstar. Your styling skills and a generously sized scarf like the Treasure & Bond Herringbone Burlap Scarf in Blue Bijou Combo or Green Park Combo ($39, nordstrom.com) or Gap Chunky Scarf in Modern Red ($24, gap.com) will take center stage, while your bulge retreats to the wings.
13. Layer up stylishly
Wearing a pullover sweater over an untucked button-down or faking it with a trendy “two-for” look-alike like the Loft Poplin Layered Mixed Media Sweatshirt in Deep Burgundy ($25, loft.com) or Tommy Hilfiger Women’s Cornell Sweater and Button-Up Shirt in Sky Captain ($54, macys.com) puts the emphasis on your amazing style chops, not what’s lurking beneath. For the most benefits, keep the contrast going by choosing a sweater in a deep color or dark neutral.
14. Make loose dresses your new basic
Waist-free styles that whoosh right past the problem can be your BFF. These may be very roomy shifts, tiered styles or belt-free tailored dresses with a straight or A-line silhouette. Good examples are the Seta T Women’s Fall Long Sleeve Crewneck Pleated Tiered Swing Midi Dress in Army Green or Brown ($34, target.com) and the Woman Within Button Front Corduroy Dress in Pine or Toffee ($85, womanwithin.com) with elongating button front. Many loose styles like the latter do have a waist seam; no worries, it suggests a shape without actually defining it. Consider it a plus.
15. Opt for fit-and-flare midis
Flow-y dresses with a slightly raised waist or elastic waist can be an effective strategy for those who don’t want a totally loose fit or empire style. Those like the Old Navy Fit & Flare Midi Dress in Blackjack or Volcanic Glass ($27, oldnavy.gap.com) and Nine West Women’s V-Neck Midi Dress in Red Dizzy Dot ($40, kohls.com) have a full flow-y bottom skirt that hides all.
16. Wear statement jewelry
Any necklace or pair of earrings that’s big and bold, shimmers, sparkles or features large charms or pendants is going to snare attention away from your middle and get compliments. Dig out your oldies or invest in new head-turners like the Karine Sultan Alice Statement Necklace in Gold ($89, nordstrom.com) or Baublebar Jenny Earrings in Pavé ($44, baublebar.com) and put your delicate studs and chains on hold for now.
17. Make jumpsuits part of the plan
One-and-done jumpsuits play hide and seek with bulges by streamlining your entire silhouette. There is no tuck-in issues, no separates to bother with, and they are very on-trend for evening. Those that delete belly issues feature a wide-leg black bottom and a shimmery or contrast color top that gets all the attention like the sequined Bold Elements Women’s Long Sleeve Jumpsuit in Black ($40, jcpenney.com) and the Sam Edelman Women’s Colorblocked V-Neck Jumpsuit ($158, macys.com).
18. Look for draping and ruching to blur the bulge
You can still wear tailored tops and dresses with a belly if they’re ruched or draped across your middle. Remember: not all bellies are equal, and if yours is due more to bloat than pounds, a draped front top like the Karen Kane Draped Top in Cognac ($108, bloomingdales.com) or a dress like the Ann Taylor Faux Leather Sheath Dress in Black ($159, anntaylor.com) can keep a secret (yes, it’s sleeveless, but you can add a cardigan to still get belly benefits).
19. Choose vertical not horizontal stripes
Yes, it’s an optical illusion, but vertical lines are slimming, and horizontal ones across your middle are not belly friendly. Pick the Banana Republic Factory Silky Pocket Shirt in Black Stripe ($21, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com) or the Madewell V-Neck Long Sleeve Top in Heather White Stripe ($98, madewell.com) to wear untucked over jeans and pants.
20. Get a bra that lifts your breasts off your torso
I saved the best for last. A T-shirt or underwire bra like the ThirdLove 24/7 Classic Perfect Coverage Bra in Taupe ($72, thirdlove.com) or the Soma Intimates Vanishing 360 Front-Close Bra in Black ($60, soma.com) that lifts your breasts up and off the ribcage is a definite belly basher. Why? Moving a large or droopy bust up and away from the tummy (instead of sitting practically on top of it) provides separation for both and gives your middle a longer, slimmer look. Trust me, it’s a game-changer. Bellies begone.
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