6 Ways to Dress to Hide a Belly Bulge

Here’s the truth. Everyone over 50 — regardless of size, shape or weight — complains about their belly. Of course, the size of that pooch and its disruptive powers differ person to person. For some it’s a daily battle with zippers that won’t budge, buttons that gape and waistbands that pinch. For others, a bloated belly is temporary and arrives post-vacation (especially after cruises!) with digestive issues, or after a weekend salt binge. We all blame menopause, stress, sleepless nights (and late-night snacks!), lack of exercise, a lazy metabolism and the lure of sugar, carbs and processed foods. But it is time to stop piling on the shape wear and wishing for an Ozempic prescription and to start making your wardrobe your best ally. Here’s how to battle the bulge and win in style:

(Left to right) Gayle King, Helen Mirren and Jennifer Coolidge

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Photo by Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images; Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

1. Wear bold attention-getting prints

Allover prints and dramatic florals are a fashionable version of military-inspired camouflage. The eye-catching blooms and swirly splashy designs take a hint from “Where’s Waldo?” and hide the bulge in plain sight. You don’t need to resort to dark colors either, anything goes — from pastels to brights. Think about the way decorative wallpaper disguises a bumpy wall, festive print slipcovers hide lumpy couch cushions and colorful patterned rugs keep crumbs, lint and pet hairs a secret. It’s the same thing with clothes and tummies! While the clothes shown here on celebs are tailored fit-and-flare dresses and pencil skirts, the same trickery works for softer styles like boho dresses with Empire necklines and flounces and pull-on elastic waist A-line skirts. Try Anthropologie, Natural Life and J. Crew for affordable florals that’ll do the job all season long.

AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal

Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.

Join Now

(Left to right) Olivia Colman, Pamela Anderson and Alfre Woodard

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images; Photo by Stefanie Keenan/VF24/WireImage for Vanity Fair; Photo by Unique Nicole/FilmMagic)

2. Go for the flow-y dress

Loose dresses that whoosh right past your middle are an instant and stylish solution to belly banishing — no shape wear necessary (and you don’t need to “suck it in,” either). The effect is confident, regal and kind of liberating, as evident on the red carpet lately. However, there’s a difference in fit between baggy and shapeless and an intentional flowing design. For example, in the celeb dresses, note the ruched and pleated details, sculpted necklines and sleeves, and of course graceful draping. Regular folks like us who want a casual lifestyle version of this solution can look for tiered A-line sundresses or loose shift styles. For a shapelier version of a flow-y dress, try “ballet” style dresses that are a combo of body defining stretchy tank top with a full pleated skirt that hides all. Longer midi and maxi styles provide the waist-down airy fullness that’s an essential part of all these dresses, which can be found everywhere from Target to Walmart and Old Navy. Add a pair of sandals, ballet flats or sneakers and have some guilt-free frozen yogurt.