I'm 43, 5'0" and every few months my belly bloats up so I look 5 months pregnant. The doctor says this is hormonal - they suspected fibroids but instead caught on ultrasound my ovaries having a field day releasing too many eggs.
When this hits (and it's hitting right now), I rely on:
1) shift dresses. For some reason this look works. You still see some bloat from the side, but at least there are no seams and waistbands cutting in to it making it worse. Do try wearing a long slip underneath - this will help disguise any underwear cutting in to the belly too.
2) Floaty, voluminous tops. Choose pretty ones with patterns (patterns fool the eye). Add form-fitting jeans, clams, leggings underneath to balance it out. If you want even more structure, tame the top with a cropped cardigan (for summer look for short sleeve cardigans) or a blazer - probably left open! Choose a blazer that fits perfectly in the shoulder and nips in at the waist. The floaty top will disguise the belly from the front view; the blazer will disguise it from the side view.
3) Dresses that have this sort of detail at the skirt - I don't know what you call this. See how there are a few strategic pleats in the skirt, at the waistband?
http://youlookfab.com/2009/05/.....nic-dress/
You don't want numerous pleats all around - you just want a strategically placed pleat or two. This is hands-down my favorite style for sweater dresses in particular.
4) Banded tops. Angie insists these work great - I have yet to find one that looked right on me, but do give it a try because there are numerous around right now.
5) See the Forever 21 tunic I posted about on the Fab find for MOTG thread today - this top is successfully hiding my bloated belly today! The ruching is strategically placed.
(How did I do, Angie?
