Hi. Imogen. We visited your talk recently and enjoyed it immensely. Have downloaded your ebooks and getting lots of helpful hints. On your blog I have just read the article about why dislike your stomach? and want to comment – I am an older woman whose anterior abdominal wall muscles have collapsed making my stomach poke out like a pregnancy. I am now as large in front as my bust! I am sure this is a problem for many older women and they (and I) would love to know how to disguise this problem. I do go to a gym to help tighten the muscles but I am realistic – they will never go back to their original tightness. Please help.
Rounded stomachs can be difficult to hide, they’re right out there at the front, but what tricks can you use to make your tummy look less obvious?
How to Flatter a Rounded Stomach by imogenl featuring long tops
Pants/Skirts/Waistbands should sit about at the belly button. Too high and it will force your stomach to pop out below, too low and you get muffin top.
If you really do have the pregnant tum look, even if you’re not – rather than go up into larger size skirts and pants, head to the maternity department and try on the pants and skirts as you’ll find there isn’t so much extra fabric through the thighs, just extra for your tummy.
Wear a darker top (create a column of colour too!) and then a lighter jacket or cardigan over the top – the dark top will recede and your tummy won’t be as obvious.
Look for fabrics without too much elastane or lycra – we don’t want cling, we want skim.
Strategically placed ruching and draping on garments can really work well to disguise your tummy.
Curved hems, rather than straight ones, can elongate your legs, whilst hiding your stomach.
Ending tops at the point just below (and I mean just below) the widest point of your tummy can also work – try it in the mirror by folding your tops to different spots til you find your sweet spot. Tops that cup your tummy will make it appear larger.
Jackets are a great way of bypassing your personal statistics. Their little bit of extra structure will hide what is going on underneath. It’s the power of the 3rd piece at work!
Don’t forget, make your mid-section kind of boring and plain, low in detail such as pockets, belts, seams, not layering different coloured tops etc. Draw attention up to your face with scarves and jewelry – remember – it’s all about the art of illusion and distraction!
