When it comes to finding the perfect dress, and the best style dresses to hide tummy area, it can be challenging to choose a style that you love.
Some dress styles look fabulous on models, but you may not feel comfortable or stylish wearing them.
A common concern for many women over the age of 50, and for those who have gone through menopause, is not only how to dress fashionably, but also how to hide a tummy bulge. Which means high street, chain store fashions designed for young bodies, are probably not your best choice.
Let me begin by saying that every body type is beautiful, and it’s crucial to celebrate and respect all forms of beauty.
Some of us have pear shaped bodies, or apple shaped curves, or maybe you are have an hourglass figure.
But if you don’t feel so confident showing off your curves, then the good news is that there are several dress styles that can help create a flattering and stylish look while keeping the focus away from problem areas.
I don’t think that your body shape should dictate what you wear. You must wear what you love. But over the years I’ve found some super dress styles which help disguise my tummy area (especially for special occasions), and this gives me more everyday confidence, particularly if I’m out on the town or at a special event.
I have in the past also resorted to wearing shapewear to hide a lower belly pooch but these days I prefer to cover, conceal and be comfy rather than feeling all trussed up!
The other night I watched a whimsical movie on Netflix called “Faraway” which is an example of how we can challenge narrow beauty standards and promote body positivity.
In the movie, Nuria is a curvy woman who is confident and sexy. She goes from wearing constricting shapewear to showing off her curves in feminine floaty dresses and a lovely red wrap dress.
The portrayal of plumper women in a positive light, wearing beautiful clothes, as the heroine in a movie is so empowering for any of us who have ever been made to feel ashamed of our bodies. Watch it if you can!
In today’s blog post, we’ll be focussing on womanly tummy curves but exploring the best style dresses to choose if you want to disguise your belly area.
Of course we’ll be looking at the most trendy and up-to-date dresses to buy online to make you look fabulous, and hope you love our choices.
Table of Contents
Best Style Dresses to Hide Tummy and Midriff Bulges
A great way to disguise lumps and bumps and tummy areas you’d rather conceal is of course to wear dark colors.
But if you’re like me and prefer vibrant colors then you need to wear dresses which hug you in the right places, and the best option is to choose dress silhouettes that draw attention to your upper body or your legs.
It’s best to stay away from clingy, or tight dresses which can highlight any extra weight you’re carrying around your midriff, and dresses with hoops or horizontal stripes are best avoided too.
Diagonal lines are your new best friend, and can make a huge difference to create the illusion of being longer and leaner than you really are.
10 Best Dress Styles To Help Hide Your Belly
Let’s take a look at some of the best style dresses to hide tummy areas, and ingenious ways to disguise a belly – without wearing darker colors, without wearing diagonal stripes and without resorting to restrictive shapewear to conceal a lower belly pooch.
The dress styles we’re featuring today provide easy ways to help you feel comfortable and confident all day. They’ll elevate your best features and also do a great job at hiding any belly bulge or that tiresome muffin top which sits above your underwear elastic.
Here are our picks for the best style dresses to hide tummy and midriff bulges.
- A-Line Dresses – This classic style is fitted at the top and gradually flares out from the waist down, creating an A-shape that doesn’t cling to the midsection.
- Empire Waist Dresses – This style has a high waistline that sits just below the bust, creating a long, flowing skirt that provides ample room around the midsection while accentuating the bust.
- Wrap Dresses – These versatile dresses feature a wraparound design that creates a V-neckline, which draws the eyes upward and away from the tummy area, and can be cinched at the waist with a belt for a flattering silhouette.
- Shift Dresses – This loose and comfortable style falls straight down from the shoulders, creating a boxy shape that doesn’t cling to the midsection.
- Maxi Dresses – These dresses are long and flowing, providing ample coverage for the tummy area while still being comfortable and stylish.
- Peplum Dresses – This style has a flared ruffle that sits at the waistline, creating a flattering silhouette that hides the tummy while accentuating the waistline.
- Shirt Dresses – This style has a button-down front and a loose, flowing silhouette that provides ample coverage for the tummy area.
- High-Low or Hi-Low Dresses – These trendy dresses have a hemline that is shorter in the front and longer in the back, creating a flowing and elegant silhouette that draws attention away from the midsection.
- Off The Shoulder Dresses – This popular style features a neckline that sits off the shoulders, creating a flattering and feminine silhouette that accentuates the shoulders and arms.
- Fit and Flare Dresses – This style is fitted at the top and then flares out at the waistline, creating a flattering silhouette that hides the tummy while accentuating the waistline.
Now let’s look at these styles in more depth.
A-Line Dresses
A-line dresses are a classic style known for easy wear. The dress is fitted at the top and then gradually flares out from the waist down, creating an A-shape. This design is perfect for hiding a tummy as it doesn’t cling to the midsection, and the flared skirt creates a flowing silhouette that draws the eyes away from the stomach area.
A-line dresses have been a classic fashion staple for decades, and for good reason. They are versatile and can be worn in any season. The A-line silhouette creates a timeless and elegant look that is both feminine and stylish. Wear them with a denim jacket and cowboy boots for an up-to-date look.
An A-line dress can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. A simple A-line dress can be paired with flats or sandals for a casual daytime look, or with heels and statement jewelry for a more formal event.
The flared skirt of the A-line dress allows for ease of movement, making it a good option for outings where you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
Another benefit of the A-line dress is that it flatters a variety of body types. It skims over the hips and thighs, making it a comfortable option for those who are self-conscious about that area too.
A-line dresses come in a variety of lengths, from mini to maxi. A short A-line dress can be worn in the summer months, while a longer A-line dress can be worn in the fall or winter with tights and boots, both ankle boots or knee-high boots.
In conclusion, A-line dresses are a timeless and versatile fashion staple that flatters a variety of body types. The flared skirt creates a flowing silhouette that draws the eyes away from the stomach area, making it a great option for women who want to hide their tummy. The dress can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion, and the versatility of the A-line dress makes it a wardrobe staple that can be worn year-round.
Empire Waist Dresses
Empire waist dresses have a high waistline that sits just below the bust, creating a long, flowing skirt.
This style is ideal for women who want to hide their tummy as it provides ample room around the midsection while accentuating the bust and creating a slimming effect.
Empire waist dresses come in a variety of lengths and materials, making them a good choice for any occasion.
One of the benefits of an empire waist dress is that it creates an elongated silhouette. The high waistline draws the eye upward, creating the illusion of a longer torso and a slimmer overall look. This effect is further enhanced by the long, flowing skirt, which creates a graceful and feminine look.
Empire Waist Dresses
You’ll find empire dresses in a variety of materials, and a variety of lengths, from mini to maxi, making it easy to find the right dress for any event.
They can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion, and can be worn with heels or flats for a casual or formal look.
Empire waist dresses also accentuate the bust, making them a great option for women who want to highlight their assets.
The high waistline sits just below the bust, creating a feminine shape that accentuates the bust and creates a slimming effect around the midsection.
This style is also a good choice for women with a smaller bust, as it creates the illusion of a fuller figure.
When it comes to accessorizing an empire waist dress, think about wearing a statement necklace or earrings which will draw attention to your face, while a belt can accentuate the waistline and create a more defined silhouette.
Heels can add height and elongate the legs, while flats can create a more casual and comfortable look.
In addition to being flattering and versatile, empire waist dresses are also incredibly comfortable.
The high waistline provides ample room around the midsection, making it easy to move and breathe.
The long, flowing skirt allows for ease of movement, making it a comfortable option for any occasion.
In conclusion, empire waist dresses are an elegant style that can be worn with confidence. The high waistline creates an elongated silhouette, while the long, flowing skirt accentuates the bust and creates a slimming effect around the midsection.
Empire waist dresses come in a variety of lengths and materials and can be dressed up or down depending on the event. They are also incredibly comfortable, making them a great option for women who want to look and feel their best without having to suck everything in!
Wrap Dresses
Wrap dresses can be worn in many different ways. They feature a wraparound design that creates a V-neckline, which is great for drawing the eyes upward and away from the tummy area.
The dress can be cinched at the waist with a tie, or a belt, creating a long lean look that hides the tummy while accentuating the waistline.
Wrap dresses come in a variety of lengths, from mini to maxi, and can be dressed up or down depending on your lifestyle.
They can be worn with heels for formal events or flats for a casual look.
In conclusion, wrap dresses are a timeless and versatile style that’s easy on the eye and comfortable.
The wraparound design creates a V-neckline making it a great option for women who want to take the attention away from their belly area.
Shift Dresses
Shift dresses are a classic style known for a loose and comfortable fit. The dress falls straight down from the shoulders, creating a boxy shape that doesn’t cling to the midsection. This design is perfect for women who want to hide their tummy while still feeling comfortable and looking stylish.
Shift dresses come in a variety of lengths and materials and are easy to wear due to the loose and relaxed fit which allows for ease of movement and provides ample wiggle room around the tummy, making it easy to move and breathe.
This makes it a great option for women who want to look and feel their best, without sacrificing comfort.
Shift dresses can be dressed up or down depending on the event and can be worn with heels or flats for a casual or formal look.
In conclusion, shift dresses are versatile, comfortable and stylish. The loose and relaxed fit provides ample room around the midsection, making it a great option for women who want to hide their tummy while still feeling comfortable.
Maxi Dresses
Maxi dresses are a popular style known for a long, flowing design generally with a relaxed and comfortable fit.
This design is great for women who want to hide their tummy as the loose shouldn’t cling to the belly area. Maxi dresses come in a variety of materials and prints and are often designed in a Boho style creating a Bohemian look.
These dresses are typically ankle or floor-length, and the design often includes a high waistline that falls below the bust.
One of the benefits of a maxi dress is that it provides ample coverage for the entire body, including the tummy area. The long length of the dress means that it covers the legs and creates a seamless line from the waist down, which helps to create a longer, leaner slimming effect. The high waistline of the dress also helps to draw attention to the upper body, which can help to balance out the overall look.
In conclusion, maxi dresses come in a variety of materials, patterns, and colors, making them a great option for any occasion. They can be dressed up or down depending on where you’re going and you can wear them with any kind of footwear. This design is perfect for hiding a woman’s tummy because the fabric of the dress falls in a loose and flowing way, creating a relaxed overall effect that doesn’t cling to the midsection.
Peplum Dresses
Peplum dresses feature a fitted top that flares out at the waist, creating a ruffle-like effect.
This design is a great cut for hiding a tummy as the ruffle detail draws the eyes away from the midsection while creating an interesting outline.
Peplum Dresses
The peplum dress features a short, flared ruffle or peplum at the waistline that helps to hide belly fat by creating a visual distraction. The flared ruffle or peplum adds volume and shape to the dress.
In conclusion, peplum dresses are a stylish and flattering option for women who want to hide belly fat because the flared ruffle or peplum at the waistline helps to create a visual distraction while accentuating the waistline and creating a slimming effect. The versatility of the dress also makes it a great option for any occasion, making it a must-have in any wardrobe.
Shirt Dresses
Shirt dresses are an age-old style known for their comfortable and practical design.
The dress features a collar, a button-up front and a loose, flowing fit that falls straight down from the shoulders and doesn’t cling to the torso. This design is good for disguising a tummy while still being a comfortable and stylish option for everyday wear.
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One of the benefits of a shirt dress, especially a maxi, is that it can also be cinched at the waist with a belt, creating some waist definition, and a more tailored look
A shorter shirt dress can also be worn open over a pair of pants or leggings, for a layered look that can also help to disguise a large tummy.
In conclusion, shirt dresses are a comfy and practical option for mature women who want to disguise their tummy area. The loose, flowing fit of the dress creates a relaxed silhouette that doesn’t cling, while the option to cinch the waist with a belt helps to create a different look.
The versatility of the dress makes it a great addition to any wardrobe.
High-Low Dresses
High-low dresses feature a hemline that is higher in the front and longer in the back. This design is perfect for hiding a tummy as the higher hemline draws the eyes upward, while the longer back creates a flowing fall of fabric that doesn’t cling to the middle section.
High-Low dresses could become your new favorites because they are a trendy style for women who want to show off their legs while disguising the waist area.
Hi-Low Dresses
You can dress up a hi-low dress, or dress it down. Pair it with heels, flats or ankle boots.
In conclusion, a high-low dress can add a touch of elegance to your wardrobe. It can be worn in different ways for casual or formal occasions. Pair it with a belt to pull in the waist, or wear it loose to create a flowing and eye-catching look.
Off-The-Shoulder Dresses
Off-the-shoulder dresses feature a neckline that sits below the shoulders, creating a sexy look. Sometimes this style of dress will feature short puff sleeves which adds a playful effect. And sometimes you can wear this style of dress either on or off the shoulders.
This design is a popular style for summertime and is also a good dress choice for women who want to draw attention away from their tummy area while highlighting their shoulders and arms.
One of the main benefits of an off-the-shoulder dress is that it accentuates the shoulders and arms, drawing the eyes upward and away from the tummy area.
This design also cries out for accessories, and a variety of hairstyles and jewelry choices can be showcased, making it a really versatile dress style which you can wear on lots of different occasions and always look different!
In conclusion, off-the-shoulder dresses are a fabulous choice for summertime. With a neckline that sits below the shoulders, you can keep cool, show off your natural beauty, and look super stylish.
Fit and Flare Dresses
Fit and flare dresses are a great choice for women who want to hide their tummy area while still showing off their curves.
This style is fitted at the top and then flares out at the waistline, creating a silhouette that emphasizes the waist and hips while providing ample coverage for the midsection.
The fit and flare style is versatile and a popular choice for both formal and casual occasions. You can dress it up with heels and jewelry or dress it down with sandals and a denim jacket.
One of the biggest advantages of the fit and flare style is that it provides ample coverage for the tummy area. The fitted top hugs the body and emphasizes the waistline, while the flared skirt skims over the tummy area, creating a beautiful flow-on that doesn’t cling to the midsection. This style is another great choice for women who want to hide their tummy without sacrificing style or comfort.
In conclusion, fit and flare dresses fit the upper body and then flare out at the waist. They’re are a great choice for women of all ages and body types who want to look great and feel comfortable.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post about the best style dresses to hide tummy areas, and that you’ll find something you love to wear again and again and again.
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Disclaimer: This post “10 Best Style Dresses to Hide Tummy” contains affiliate links from which I stand to earn a small commission but at no expense to you. Any gifted items are marked with an *. Lifestyle Fifty Website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Some images in this post have been sourced, with permission from Salty Crush and Adrift Clothing websites. Please read my full disclosure here.
Gloria
This is my go-to-post of the year! I love these types of dresses. They’re exactly what my body needs too!
Jo Castro
Hi Gloria, I’m so happy that you found this post helpful and think it’s your go-to-post of the year! I love the dresses in this article too, and I’m very glad that you do too 🙂