"Mommy Belly" Solutions

Q.
"I am 36 years old and after 3 kids I have the dreaded "mommy belly".  I am on an exercise and diet program, but like all good programs, it is taking a while to show results.  I was wondering if there was a specific cut of shirt or pant that would help me camouflage this muffin top until it is gone?"

-Brandy in TX

A.

Whether you have a bit of a belly due to post pregnancy or post Pabst Blue Ribbon, choosing the right type of pants and tops is paramount. 

CHOOSING PANTS:

To avoid the dreaded muffin top, it is extremely important to opt for higher waisted styles that offer support in the midriff. A great example (and this is the perfect time of year to have fun with this style) is the classic sailor pant (pictured above). This pant has a high rise, but doesn't look like some strange 1980's up-to-the-belly-button pant that would look dated and unflattering due to its tightness. 

In contrast, the sailor pant has a flattering square shaped panel that sits high on the waist, holds the tummy in, and a flattering relaxed leg style that is also perfect for flattering any pear-shaped figure (although it looks great on every body type). 

Lauren by Ralph Lauren makes excellent sailor pants at reasonable prices -- many times they can be found on sale at the Ralph Lauren outlet stores or at ralphlauren.com. I LIVE in sailor pants and have several pair in whites and navy that I wear continuously throughout the summer. 

Because they have that cute, nautical button pattern at the tummy, sailor pants are meant to be worn with tucked in shirts -- and they look best with classic, short sleeved button-down shirts or polos. Adding a blouse with a little body in the sleeves (poufy sleeves, ruffled sleeves) will help balance out a pear-shaped figure. The pants can also be worn with halter tops and tank tops. 

NOT YOUR DAUGHTER'S JEANS: 

Notorious for being extremely challenging for the full-bellied, jeans are one of the MOST difficult garments to find if you're over 30 and not a stick figure (once again, I'm speaking from experience here!). 

Most importanly, you must AVOID all low-rise jeans, no matter how "cute" or "butt-lifting" you think they are. If they don't hit just below your belly button at the waist, they aren't for you. 

Enter the miracle brand, Not Your Daughter's Jeans (aka NYDJ), whose sole purpose is to defy gravity by lifting the rear and sucking in the tummy. The jeans come in many colors and styles, but every pair is made to flatter a woman's figure (not a teenager's figure, like 99% of the denim out there).

NYDJ also offers a limited selection of figure flattering tops, mostly classic button-down styles (some with ruffles, all are cute) that would look dynamite with both the sailor pants or jeans discussed above. 

CHOOSING TOPS:

One of my biggest pet peeves about fashion sites out there offering advice on how to camouflage a bulging belly is the suggestion that the wearer try trapeze tops (tops that are fitted up top and flare out at the bottom and hit low on the hip). Sure, trapeze tops fit loosely around the belly, but what ends up happening is that the wearer looks like they're trying to hide something or WORSE, like they are pregnant when they aren't -- and I know the last thing a postpartum mom wants is to still look pregnant. 

Here's an example of a trapeze top:

The thing that I find wrong with the above style is that it neglects to hug the curves of her body at its smallest point, the waist, and draws the eye down to the widest part of her, the belly and hips. 

OPT FOR TOPS LIKE THESE INSTEAD:

Halter tops or tank tops (like the style above) that have a ruched or pleated panel in the midsection offer a bit of extra support in the belly -- especially in cotton with a little bit of stretch. 

What makes this style much more flattering than a trapeze style is that the tank top hugs the curves and shows off the smallest part of a woman's body -- the area just below the bust to the natural waist. 

TUMMY-FLATTERING DRESSES:

Another tummy flattening style is a classic belted shirt-dress like the one above. What makes it magical is that it cinches in at the waist, again, drawing the eye to the most narrow part of a woman's figure, while at the same time, lightly skimming the belly. The body of the cotton fabric is also thicker than the cheap nylon/polyester/jersey that many bargain dresses are made from and that show every bulge and wiggle. The key to getting the fit right with a belted shirt-dress is to MAKE SURE that you buy a big enough size to accommodate your bust and your tummy. There should be NO GAPPING in any of the buttons, especially around the bust and the area around your tummy should fit loosely, but not to point of looking like maternity wear. There should not be tons of extra fabric wrinkling around the back or waist when the belt is cinched. 

If you can't seem to find a size that fits the bust and the tummy/hips equally, buy the bigger size and for a few extra dollars at your local dry cleaner or tailor, have it taken in at the area in question. I do this ALL THE TIME and it really ends up being worth it to have an item fit perfectly -- even if you have to spend and extra $10 or $20. The number of times you will end up wearing something that fits you to a T will make a few extra dollars at the tailor WELL WORTH IT. 

I can hardly talk about tummy-flattering styles without mentioning the ultimate: the Diane von Furstenberg style wrap dress. This ubiquitous classic has allowed its wearers to instantly drop 10 pounds since the 1970's. 

For those who are bashful of belly roll, just make sure that you choose a wrap dress that is a thicker fabric, not a super light weight jersey, so that any bulges or jelly rolls stay at bay. And if you're not sure, there's always Spanx -- just make sure to buy Spanx 2 sizes larger than what the package says or else some of your digestive system could end up in your chest cavity (again, been there, done that - not pretty!).

Hope this helps, Brandy. Please feel free to add any follow-up questions or comments to this post (that goes for anyone with questions/comments).

Thanks for trusting Instant Stylist with your fashion dilemma!