4 Ways to Hide Belly Fat in a Tight Dress - wikiHow (2024)

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Co-authored byNatalie Tincher

Last Updated: February 7, 2024References

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   Select a dress in a style and fabric that makes you feel comfortable. If it does not feel great in the store, don’t buy it. If it’s too tight that it makes you uncomfortable as you stand in the dressing room, it will only feel worse when you wear it out. Try on multiple dresses until you find one that feels good.

   • Well-tailored dresses in structured fabrics can help to flatter curves. Avoid clingy fabrics or ill-fitting cuts, even if you like a particular dress style. Keep trying until you find one that fits your shape and proportions—or one that can be easily tailored.^[1]
   • When buying a dress online, always check reviews and see what other people say about comfort and fit. And it's best to buy from an online store that has an easy and free return policy so you can return it if you don't love it once it arrives.
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   Opt for darker colors like black, navy, or charcoal. Darker colors are slimming because they hide wrinkles, bulges, and other indicators of fat.^[2] Colors like white or beige can make you look like you have more belly fat than you do because they actually highlight those lumps and wrinkles and draw attention to them.^[3]

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   Wear narrow, vertical stripes. The key to creating an illusion of a slimmer body is elongation. Vertical stripes or vertical design elements—like seam or color blocking—draw the eye up and down and make you appear tall and lean.^[4] Stick with narrowly-spaced thin stripes (like a pinstripe) for the best slimming effect. The wider the stripe, the wider it can make you look.

   • Avoid wide, horizontal stripes. They draw the eye outward and can make you look wider than you actually are. If you do want to wear horizontal stripes, thin and narrowly-spaced stripes have the most slimming effect.^[5]
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   Chose a low-contrast print without a clear focal point. The trick to finding a good print is selecting one that makes it difficult and unnatural for the eye to focus on any one part. In addition, make sure the scale of the print is in proportion to your overall figure. For instance, a smaller person should wear a smaller print.^[6]

   • Pair a small print with solid accessories and attention will be drawn away from the fabric of the dress and away from your midsection.^[7]

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   Choose undergarments that fit well and do not make you look bulgy. To avoid making your belly look bigger, wear a bra and underwear that fit you properly and don’t create unnecessary lumps and dimples. If your undergarments are too tight, your skin and any excess fat will bulge out of the sides. If they are too large, they will create unnecessary folds and wrinkles.^[8]

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   Try high-waisted underwear to provide added control over extra belly fat. Wear a high-waisted thong with a lace hem to eliminate panty lines on your rear and smooth out any bulges or dimples around your belly. Many types of high-waisted underwear come with built-in tummy slimming panels for extra protection from those unwanted bulges.^[9]

   • High-waisted underwear that is too small or has weak elastic due to age can roll down as you walk. Be careful when choosing your underwear that it is the right size and strong enough to hold up while you wear it.
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   Use shapewear to smooth out your silhouette.^[10] Shapewear compresses fat and smooths lines, bulges, and wrinkles and can take inches off your waistline.^[11] Many women, including famous actresses and models, wear shapewear because it boosts their confidence and makes them feel red-carpet confident.

   • When choosing shapewear for a tight dress, choose a smoothing bodysuit or slip-style option. Shapewear shorts with a high-waist can roll down or shift while you walk, causing the belly fat to push out at the seams and create an unflattering look.^[12]
   • Doctors have stated that there may be health risks associated with shapewear and very tight clothing.^[13]

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   Wrap a belt or a sash high on the thinnest part of your waist. While you do not want to draw attention to your belly, most women carry that extra belly fat low. If you wear a complementary belt or sash up at the narrowest part of your waistline, it will highlight your slimmest area.

   • If you have a larger frame, opt for a wider belt, and if you are more petite, a thin belt is best.^[14]
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   Draw attention upward with a beautiful scarf. Add a scarf in a complementary pattern or color and wrap it so it sits high on your chest and shoulders. This way, attention will be drawn upward to your scarf and your face and away from your midsection.^[15]

   • However, avoid wearing a bulky scarf, as that will cut off your neckline and make you look wider on top and in your face.^[16]
   • If you have a patterned dress, use a solid scarf and if you have a solid dress, opt for a patterned scarf.^[17]
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   Frame your face with jewelry.^[18] If you want to divert attention away from your midsection go bold with a big necklace and flashy earrings. You’ll want to choose a necklace that sits high around your collarbone to keep attention drawn upward.

   • Avoid long-length and dangly pendants that will bounce off your belly as you walk.
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   Wrap yourself in a fitted cardigan or tailored jacket.^[19] Choose a jacket in complementary color that falls only about hip-length and is tailored the waist. It sounds counterintuitive, but a tailored jacket actually draws the eye inward at the smallest part of your waist and makes you look thinner overall.^[20]

   • Avoid a bold-print jacket because it can draw the eye away from the jacket and toward your midsection. Solid colors are best for the slimming effect.
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   Match your stockings and your shoes to the color of your dress. The continuous color from head to toe will create the appearance of long and lean figure and make you look thinner.^[21] If the weather permits, go with thick tights instead of pantyhose because the thicker material will make you look even taller and thinner.^[22]

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   Walk with your chin up, shoulders back and relaxed, and rear tucked in. Walking with too much of an S-shape can make you look heavier by exaggerating your curves. Aim to walk with the confidence and posture of a runway model by straightening your spine and relaxing your shoulders as much as you can.^[23]

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   Maintain your straight posture while standing or sitting. Slouching and sitting with a hunched back pushes all the belly fat together making it appear as though there is more fat than is actually present. To avoid the appearance of belly fat when you sit or stand, keep your back straight and your shoulders back and relaxed, just as you do when you are walking.^[24]

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   Strut your stuff in heels to make your legs look longer and body thinner. This will draw the eye to your legs and your shoes and away from your midsection. Many women opt for solid color pumps to elongate their legs and create an overall thinner and taller appearance.

   • Avoid chunky or thick heels as they can make your stride clunky and make it hard to walk with good posture.

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