How do I cover my belly without looking frumpy?

[Anonymous]

Pandemic conditions have made me see my "look" in a new light, and I'm realizing I usually look pretty frumpy. My typical look is bootcut jeans, a curved-hem tee, and sneakers. I guess I thought that if everything was high-quality and well-fitted it would look okay, but... no. I see that now!

When I typed "How to dress..." into Google, it actually autocompleted with "...less frumpy". A lot of the tips involve tucking/half-tucking shirts and adding belts, but... I can't do that because I have a gigantic belly. My midsection is really disproportionate, I'm actually a size 0 and petite everywhere else, but at the midsection I look like an egg with legs. So I have to wear tops that hang past my waist. I actually have a fairly defined waist tho, at least viewed from the front, lol (viewed from the side not so much).

From what I've read so far, apparently I need to shop for some skinny jeans and cute pointed flats. And learn to accessorize (scarves, jewelry, etc). But what else can I do to not look like a slob?

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry but I have trouble believing that at a size 0 you can’t make a half tuck work. I see women size 12-14+ do it and make it look fab.

[Anonymous]

The old What Not To Wear tv shows always suggested a jacket to define a waist. If you’ve never seen the shows, you tube the hosts Stacy London and Clinton Kelly.

[Anonymous]

A size 0 with a "gigantic belly"? Google, body dismorfofobia

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry but I have trouble believing that at a size 0 you can’t make a half tuck work. I see women size 12-14+ do it and make it look fab.

I probably shouldn’t have mentioned my size. Now everybody’s going to pile on and tell me I have body dysmorphia! Maybe my size has gone up, I haven’t gone shopping since the pandemic. I could be a 2 or a 4 now. I just know I have a very prominent tummy that does not look good in pants!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A size 0 with a "gigantic belly"? Google, body dismorfofobia

I don’t think she’s going to get any results with that search term.

But yeah OP if you’re a size 0, you don’t have a huge belly.

[Anonymous]

It is possible to be small, yet retain weight in your belly. I have a similar body type. I'm very thin all over, but the first place I put on weight is the pooch under my belly button. Even a small amount makes me look lumpy/frumpy because there is nothing to balance it out - no hips, booty, or chest. Think a toothpick through an olive.

The half tuck is a good look for me. Also dresses whose narrowest part sits slightly above the natural waist - this gives the lower belly a little bit of breathing room. Sweaters that hit at the hip with skinny jeans/leggings for a comfy casual look. Try pairing a top that has some volume with a more fitted pant or skirt.

The look that is the least kind to my body type is the high-waisted jean - it emphasizes my belly like nothing else. Mid-rise hits me at the right point to sort of suck it in a bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is possible to be small, yet retain weight in your belly. I have a similar body type. I'm very thin all over, but the first place I put on weight is the pooch under my belly button. Even a small amount makes me look lumpy/frumpy because there is nothing to balance it out - no hips, booty, or chest. Think a toothpick through an olive.

The half tuck is a good look for me. Also dresses whose narrowest part sits slightly above the natural waist - this gives the lower belly a little bit of breathing room. Sweaters that hit at the hip with skinny jeans/leggings for a comfy casual look. Try pairing a top that has some volume with a more fitted pant or skirt.

The look that is the least kind to my body type is the high-waisted jean - it emphasizes my belly like nothing else. Mid-rise hits me at the right point to sort of suck it in a bit.

Are you and OP Asian? I'm Asian and have this same body type.

[Anonymous]

Start by stop wearing those hideous curved hem tops.

[Anonymous]

I have the same body type. Size zero and a belly. It sucks. I’m not Asian.

[Anonymous]

Dresses. Shapewear to flatten out your belly - doesn’t have to be full Spanx or anything but just the higher-waist flattening underwear or even a slimming tank. If you’re petite, I would definitely not do boot-cut jeans with a longer/curved hem top - that seems like you’d look kind of dumpy in poorly-fitting clothes. I’d look for skinny or straight fit jeans with some built in “shaping” around the belly area. I think you could try a variety of tops and just see what works best, but a more structured fabric might be more figure flattering than a thin knit that clings to everything.

[Anonymous]

Pilates

[Anonymous]

I hope you are exaggerating and don't mean this literally, but if you're a size zero you don't have a "gigantic" belly. That's not a thing.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am also a size 0 with a little pooch, especially since having kids. It's just my body shape.

First, I think you need to get over the idea that any belly at all is unacceptable and must be concealed. Me are in a new era of body acceptance. I was just doing an online barre class yesterday and one fo the people in the video was wearing high waisted leggings and one of those long line bras, and has some rolls in between. She was in great shape and looked totally happy and comfortable! She just carries some weight around her waist, but she still looked good. So while I don't think you have serious body dysmorphia, I think you may have an old fashioned view of what a body is "supposed" to look like and just need to adjust. Sometimes this is harder for smaller women because the body acceptance movement sometimes excludes us (thus all the people on this thread complaining about a size 0 feeling like she has a belly) but it is for us. It's for anyone. Being a size 0 does not mean your body is proportioned like a super model, and that's okay -- most people aren't! Your belly is okay. It will not harm you or others if someone can see it.

Second, look for clothes that emphasize the things you like and worry a little less if they conceal your belly. I have really been loving the trend toward high waisted jeans/pants. Yes, my belly pooches out in them a little bit, especially in jeans that tend to be pretty fitted through the hips. But I like the way my waist looks in them, and I really like how they lift my otherwise flat butt up. Plus I just find them more comfortable. And you can find high waisted pants with a little more flow or room so that your belly doesn't feel as prominent: Like these:

https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=679053002#pdp-page-content

I liked the PPs suggestion of skirts that fit right at the waist and then flow away. Then you can just tuck in tops (or French tuck) and, if you want, add another layer. I like fitted tees with good face-framing necklines (so square, scoop, or bateau, rather than crew), or flowy blouses with pretty patterns and flattering necklines.

Also, investing in a little accessories uniform can help with frumpiness, too. A cute pair of stud earrings, a versatile chain necklace, a great coat or jacket.

Skinny jeans/leggings with cute shoes works too, but I just want to emphasize that you do not need to be wearing long or oversized tops. There are other options. But you have to start by just accepting your belly as normal and fine, which it is.

[Anonymous]

Buy the Wit & Wisdom absolution pants to help with the tummy. Work with a personal stylist to find clothing that works with your body type - I like Natalie at Tysons Nordstroms.