How to Hide Belly Fat

Last Updated: February 4, 2023 References

Having a few extra pounds around your waist is something that many men and women struggle with due to age, poor diet or exercise habits, genes, or even hormones. No matter the cause, excess fat in the highly visible midsection area can be a source of embarrassment. If you feel self-conscious about your waistline, there are a few things you can do to streamline your silhouette instantly.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing Flattering Clothes

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Avoid tight or clingy clothes to distract the eye. Overly form-fitting garments can bring unwanted attention to excess fat around the midsection. Instead, choose fabrics and styles that have a bit more give and stretch to them.^{[1]
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- Lycra, satin, and jersey fabrics will all cling to the body in an unflattering manner, while sturdy cotton, velvet, and wool blends make for forgiving garments.^{[2]
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- Tops or dresses with draping are a good options, as well as sweaters in cashmere or a lightweight cotton.
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Embrace dark colors for a slimming effect. Black, charcoal, navy, and brown create the illusion of a smaller frame while also hiding wrinkles and any pulling or bulging of fabric.^{[3]
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- If your midsection is larger than your bottom half, create a more proportionate look by wearing dark clothing on top and lighter colors on the bottom, such as khaki pants.
3
Choose clothing that accentuates your best features. Play to your strengths by highlighting your arms, shoulders, or any other part of your body that makes you feel confident. It will draw the attention away from your belly and toward your favorite qualities!^{[4]
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- A sleeveless top will highlight your arms and shoulders.
- A low-cut shirt will accentuate your neckline.
- Shorts or a dress or skirt above the knees will show off your legs.
- A T-shirt can display strong arms.
- Slim ankles can be showed off with a pair of cropped pants
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Wear pants with a mid- or high-rise waistline to naturally cinch your waistline. Low-rise fashions can have a push-up effect on your belly fat, making it more prominent. High-waisted styles will hug in any love handles or belly pooches.^{[5]
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- Pair high-waisted pants with a simple blouse without too much volume for a sleek look.
- Avoid wearing a short jacket with high-waisted pants, which can create a boxy effect.
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Choose tops with draping, pleats, or frills to disguise excess fat. A shirt that has extra fabric and texture will trick the eye and hide the bulge around your belly.^{[6]
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- A top with a lot of detail and fabric pairs perfectly with simple bottoms, like a classic pair of black trousers or a pencil skirt.
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Layer on a jacket or a cardigan to cover up belly fat. Use a long sweater or jacket to create long lean lines, pulling the eye away from your belly and lengthening your appearance.^{[7]
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- Try a poncho or a long sweater with a waterfall hemline for a bohemian look, as long as you pair it with a form-fitting garment on the bottom, such as a legging or skinny pant.
- For a more masculine look, wear a blazer for a more formal occasion or a leather bomber jacket for a casual style.^{[8]
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Try a shirt or dress with an empire waistline to emphasize a small waist. An empire waistline cinches at your most narrow point, right below the ribcage, accentuating your waist and skimming your belly.
- You can make any loose top or dress into an empire waist by belting it around your ribcage. ^{[9]
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- A dress or top with an asymmetrical waistline can have a similar lengthening effect.^{[10]
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Wear shapewear underneath your clothing to smooth your midsection. Specially formulated elastic undergarments can reshape your stomach, pulling in your belly fat and making your clothes fit better.
- A high-waisted short or a fitted camisole is a good way to smooth the entire midsection.
- Pair soft leggings with a long shirt or tunic for a more comfortable and stylish way to tuck in your tummy.^{[11]
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- Under a sweater or button down, wear a specially-designed elastic shapewear shirt to eliminate bulging.
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Tailor your clothes for a better overall fit. Taking in your garments to accommodate your midsection while properly fitting the rest of your body creates a much slimmer look.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Accessorizing Your Outfits

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Wear bold accessories around your neck to draw the eye up. This will place the emphasis on the upper half of your torso.^{[12]
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- Wear a chunky statement necklace or a top with a bold, detailed neckline
- Opt for shirts with broad collars and tie larger knots in their ties, such as a full windsor.^{[13]
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Choose a wider tie. A tie with larger overall width will balance out the midsection and create a more proportional and balanced appearance.
- Your tie should fall right at the upper line of your belt so that it doesn't give the appearance of not being able to reach over your belly.
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Carry a purse with longer straps to elongate the body. The straps will create a long and lean visual effect and draw attention down to where the bag ends, past your hips.^{[14]
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- Crossbody bags, satchels with long handles, and hobo purses are all good options.
4
Wear a pair of suspenders. Suspenders are a better alternative to a belt by holding up your pants up without pinching or creating a bulge around the top of your pants.
- Suspenders also create 2 long vertical lines on the body, drawing the eye up and lengthening the appearance of your torso.
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Top off your outfit with a hat to add more length. A stylish hat is an easy way to add a little more height to your frame, automatically balancing out any extra weight around the middle.^{[15]
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- Sun hats, fedoras with wide brims, or flat caps are all great options.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Improving Your Posture

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Pull in your tummy. Sucking your stomach muscles to your spine immediately flattens your belly. Additionally, the action of pulling your stomach in will support your spine and help prevent any back problems that can arise from carrying extra weight.^{[16]
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Square your shoulders and lift your chest. This action will create the look of a wider top and smaller waistline.^{[17]
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Keep your back straight. Maintaining a straight or slight s-curve in your spine will help you appear slimmer and prevent your stomach from sticking out.^{[18]
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- Avoid over-arching your back.
- Don't slouch, which will prevent you from tucking your stomach in and will make your belly look bigger than it actually is.^{[19]
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Wear a heeled shoe to automatically stand up straighter. Wearing heels naturally improves your posture by rotating your hips to tuck your bottom in and helping keep your back and shoulder straight.
- Even a classic dress shoe with a small heel can be enough to reap these benefits.

Expert Q&A

Question

What is flattering on plus size figures?

Stephanie Fajardo
Professional Stylist
Stephanie Fajardo is a Personal Stylist based in Portland, Oregon. Stephanie has over 17 years of styling experience in personal consulting, television, photography, and film shoots. Her work has been featured in Esquire Magazine and Portland Fashion Week.

Stephanie Fajardo

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Look for clothing that gently glides over your curves, rather than anything that's too tight.
Question

I have a small waist but large tummy, which skirts and trousers are the best to wear?

Community Answer

High-waisted pants and skirts usually keep all the excess in. They make you look slimmer and curvy in the right places.
Question

How can I hide my belly fat in a school uniform that must be tucked in?

Community Answer

Wear your skirt high on your waist, and see if a belt helps. If not, you can always wear an oversize sweater (if your dress code allows this).