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With all the buzz surrounding it, you’d think everyone is on Ozempic or Wegovy this summer. Well, they’re not, and those who are know the pounds don’t melt away overnight. This leaves some mature women who are not taking weight-loss meds worried about revealing flab, bulges and weight gain in their clothes.
But let’s be honest, the “dress slim” topic has not been PC for a while, as size-inclusive fashion sizing and body positivity have tried to make weight a nonissue style-wise. Well … “dress slim” is back, but whether you’re a size 10 or 14, 16W or 2X, the goal now is to look trim but shapely — more farfalle than spaghetti. How do I know? I’m a fashion editor and personal shopper for women over 50. Here’s how to fool the scale and stay stylish.
1. Keep it crisp.
One of the best reasons to wear tailored clothes now is their wrinkle-proof structure and no-slouch fabrics that defy heat and humidity. But tailored dresses, pants and shirts have another value: giving curves and bulges a sleeker, sharper silhouette. The tucked-in formality is gone, and in its place are pound-paring pieces with a relaxed fit that float over problem spots.
Shirtdresses like Lands’ End Women’s Poplin Oversized Puff Sleeve Midi Shirt Dress in Burgundy Spritz Stripe or Blue/White Shadow Stripe ($48, landsend.com) with a removable belt for extra ease on call; Cupshe Women’s Striped Button-Down Cinched Waist Shirt Dress in Gray ($47, target.com) in a fit-and-flare look; and long shirt-tunics like Chico’s No Iron Linen Tunic in Indigo ($25, chicos.com) provide a double dose of dress-slim thanks to their crisp shape and elongating vertical stripes.

2. Make prints your ally.
There are many ways to hide weight, but prints are the masters of disguise. It’s a visual trick, but all-over florals, dots, leopard and swirly artsy patterns keep the eye moving instead of focused on a particular spot, like the bust or belly.
For example, take a look at the dots on the Donna Karan New York Plus-Size Polka-Dot Belted Midi Dress in Russet Canvas ($159, macys.com); leopard spots on the Gap Factory Women’s Linen-Blend Easy Shirt in Leopard ($24, gapfactory.com); mini florals like the Style & Co Plus Size Printed Pintuck Blouse in Fauna Industrial Blue ($70, macys.com); and bolder ones like Sonoma Goods For Life Women’s Button-Front Midi in Coral Painted Floral ($28, kohls.com). There’s an extra summer benefit to prints: They effectively hide perspiration stains, a common effect of the combo of heat, humidity, sweat and extra pounds.
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