I look for V-neck cardigans that place the first button right under my chest. This is key to creating a waist. Even if the cardigan doesn't fit quite right over the tummy, I can button just the top button or two, and create a pleasing "X" shape, over a more fluid, loose blouse that skims and conceals the belly.
I actually prefer these V-neck cardigans to hit a little high, though those are difficult to find these days. Interestingly one of the keys to disguising a belly is to have waistbands of your pants "lock and load" on the widest part. Having a cardigan that hits around the same area or a bit lower also seems to work. You don't know if it's your belly, or if it's the clothes.
Crew neck cardigans are far more tricky, but can look nice worn open and never buttoned, or just with the top button buttoned -- creating a deliberate triangle effect.
A long cardigan can also work well, to create a long lean line. You still want a V neck and the first button to be under the chest/at the waist.
For pullovers I look for V necks. I stay away from crew necks in general but did buy one recently -- I think it works not only because it fits just right (fluid not clingy over the chest and belly) but has a pattern. Patterns are excellent ways of concealing jiggly parts, as they confuse the eye. Otherwise, the closest I get to a crew neck pullover is one that has a boatneck. Showing a bit of the collarbone somehow adds just the right structure.
A very helpful trick is to semi-tuck your pullover. This works *GREAT* to disguise the midsection. You end up with scrunched up sweater fabric around your belly area, instead of having it cling unforgivingly there.
Here are some from my own closet --
1. V-neck cardigan that hits on the high hip
2. V-neck BF cardigan. I actually prefer this worn open, and not buttoned.
3. This sweater works great... because though loose and baggy it adds back structure at the neckline (shows the collarbones) and the arms (tight below the elbow) and is high-low. The zippers on the side curve inward and this does something slimming but I can't explain it.
4. This sweater breaks ALL the rules for chesty + apple... because I usually stay away from crew necks and banded sweaters... but for some reason it works. It's very ala Mad Men. The band is high enough it gives me the illusion of a waist. But I plan to wear it layered over a longer blouse... the extra inches of blouse fabric conceals the tummy very nicely.
5. This Vince sweater is "just flattering enough" ... it is big and baggy with dolman sleeves, adding in structure with tight fitting sleeves (apples tend to have slim limbs). There are also versions with V-necks, but I went with this one and it does show just enough collarbone to work fine.
6. A cascading long cardigan works great - again, note how slim fitting it is in the sleeves.
7. V neck pullover, fluid fit, just long enough to artfully semi-tuck and hide the midsection.
8. This is the patterned crew neck that somehow worked, because of the pattern, I think. It is fluid fit - skims the body. No uniboob effect, no gaping at the bust. I prefer it semi-tucked too.
I will end this by saying it is an AWESOME season for sweaters, because fluid fits are on trend and are everywhere (pics 7 & 8 and even 4). But you still have to be choosy. You still want *some* structure in there if you go baggy and loose and oversized (as in pic 3 and 5).
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