Tips to disguise the tummy area

I got an overwhelming response from my question stickers yesterday about my new series of blog posts called ‘Ask Anna’. I’ve just this second called it that (thanks to my mate Tabitha who came up with that title!). It’s going to be a once a month blog where I answer specific questions from you. So if you have any dilemmas, let me know in the comments below.

I gave myself a bit of a hard task because I said i’d do the first one today, meaning I only had just over a day to get it together and in this heat, it’s been a bloody nightmare! I’ve been sitting at a computer which seems to be churning out heat hotter than the sun, with sweat dripping down me. But i’ve done it. All for the love of you! Cos I love ya!

So the first dilemma i’m answering is all about the tummy area. I haven’t been specific to one persons question as there were so many similar ones around the same subject. From putting on a bit of waist around the middle due to menopause, to having a thicker waist after kids. It’s definitely an issue we all face as we get older and some of us happily embrace it (hoorah for you) but others can feel self conscious and feel like its just another part of growing older that sucks big time.

I think the biggest thing I can say is that it’s all about proportion. If we balance areas of our bodies out, it definitely helps. So if we have a larger tummy area, if we add bulk to the shoulders and or skirt/trouser hems then it can ‘appear’ slimmer.

We can create interest at the neck/shoulders/sleeves etc to draw the eye away from the waist area. This might be through frills, big sleeves, jewellery, scarves etc. The trend for shoulder pads is great to draw the eye up in a simple way or if you’re a bit of a maximalist, then the big collars and sleeves are perfect for you.

We need to create definition in the waist, so one mistake lots of people make is to go bigger in size. While oversized in some respects can definitely work (more on that later) if you cover up with big t-shirts and bulky jumpers, it’s just going to seem even bigger. The best thing you can do is create a waist and shape with your clothes. There’s lots of jackets, tops, cardigans etc with belts that can cinch you in just above the waist or opt for tops/dresses that have an empire line which is a seam just below the bust. This is the smallest part of the torso, so make the most of this by either going for fitted tops that have a seam or ruching below the bust, then float out over the tummy. A great dress for this is the ‘Sleeper Atlanta’ which gives you great shape at the bust but then skims the waist and hips.

Try also to avoid skimming fabrics unless its a rigid fabric that gives you some support. Silk, cotton, linen, soft jersey, crepe, velvet and chiffon are all good fabrics that won’t cling. These fabrics will skim over the area and you won’t be constantly pulling at your top to keep it from riding up.

Dresses are definitely your best friend when it comes to the tummy area. There’s so many styles that will allow you freedom while keeping you utterly confident too. The trend for buffet dresses is an absolute godsend. Thank you Cecilie Bahnsen, Ganni and well all the Danish designers! Although, if you are big busted, be careful of buffet dresses as they come out from the biggest part of your bust so can be unflattering. We’re also seeing lots of knotted front dresses that are perfect for disguising a bit of a tum, Shirt dresses and A-line cotton dresses are also perfect for giving shape to the hem while skimming over the waistline. Lastly the good old faithful ‘The Wrap Dress’ is always a winner. For an up to date version, steer clear of the stretch jersey styles and instead go for a more structured silhouette that will give a more modern shape.

People often struggle with skirts and trousers and i’ve heard so many people say you can’t wear pleated skirts or paperboy waists. You absolutely can but try to invest in a pleated skirt that has a bit of weight to the fabric and with paperboy waists, a more rigid fabric is going to work best. A great skirt shape is a full skirt in a rigid material which will give the waist definition but then go out over the hips and waist. Really flattering and looks great with a little top and heels. A-line skirts are great too to balance out that area as well as ones with belts or a fluted hem. Pencil skirts can look so good if you opt for a rigid fabric like denim.

In terms of trousers, go for flat fronted ones that don’t have too much fuss around the waist. Pleated trousers can create unwanted bulk so steer clear of those, although a couple of pleats at the side can work as long as there is a flat area at the front. Jumpsuits are great as they often include a belt which is a great way of disguising that tummy. I love to wear my jumpsuits slightly oversized so I can really pull in the waist and create more shape.

For those that love the oversized pared down look, you can absolutely achieve this. You just need to be clever with your styling to still create that all important waist. So with an oversized shirt, play around with it and maybe unbutton to the waist and tuck one half of the front loosely into trousers or jeans (see street style images below). Or tuck in the front of a loose jumper into skirts or jeans just slightly off centre. This will draw the eye away from the middle waist area. Add an understated belt to an oversized shirt just below the bust to create definition but still remaining simple and elegant. Layering is another great way to achieve a simple modern look. Add an oversized blazer, or a loose cardigan. Or add texture with a tench coat or belted coat. If you love the trend for matching knitted top and cardigan, find a belted cardigan that will give you the look while still covering the area.

For denim lovers, I swear by a rigid pair of jeans or ones with just a little bit of stretch. These act like Bridget Jones knickers to hold you in, flatten and smooth the area and give you support. The trend for low waisted jeans is pretty much dead so you can easily avoid the dreaded muffin top when wearing jeans by opting for mid to high waisted ones. While it’s impossible to create a completely flat silhouette, a great pair of jeans will definitely help to create more of a streamlined look and when teamed with an oversized shirt tucked loosely in, or a pretty top that draws the eye up, it’s a winning combo!

I can’t talk about tummy dilemmas without mentioning shapewear. Now, i’m not a fan of suck everything in til you can’t breathe control knickers that cut off the circulation and squish all your internal organs. BUT… I do think there’s a time and a place for comfortable shapewear that allows you to breathe and helps create a smoother look. If you are going to an event where you want to feel that little bit more confident in your outfit, then they can definitely be useful. Although this does remind me of a time when I went to a wedding wearing a pair of very tight control pants. I was so uncomfortable during the meal that I went to the toilets and took them off - the relief I felt was incredible. I said to myself i’d never wear those bastard things again. And I haven’t!

So when it comes to the tummy area and disguising the bulge, there are so many tips and tricks that we can do. But I do have to point out, that very few people have a washboard stomach and if they do it’s either just their body type or through eating leaves and doing a gruelling workout every day! Especially as we get older, that mid life weight seems to gather in the middle of our bodies and doesn’t want to shift. So we definitely need to normalise it and not feel shit about it.

But I absolutely understand that feeling confident can come from what we look like and how we feel about our bodies. So while I would never say we have to cover our bodies and try to appear ‘slimmer’, this blog just helps those of us who need a little bit of a confidence booster.

Hope it’s helped

Anna x