Muffin top: How to dress around it - YouLookFab Forum

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Muffin top: How to dress around it

ramya

Veteran

Being a mom has changed my body. My previously flat stomach is now changed(duh!!!). Most of the jeans and skirts show the tyres . So ladies what are your favourite tips to dress around it. How can denims not give me muffin tops/saddle bags? How to hide them?

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from Robin

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I worried about muffin tops too for a while. Angie has done a couple of really great articles on this topic. Read one here:

http://youlookfab.com/2014/01/.....uffin-top/

Mona

Veteran

High waisted pants and drapey tops are your best friend. I have gained some weight around my middle in the past year and find that there is a lot of variety in loose fitting drapey tops in stores. Check out GAP/ON for boyfriend fit of tees.

kerry

Veteran

My go-tos are mostly waist surrendering. I wear slim bottoms (skinnies, leggings) with tunics or shorter sack dresses. I also opt for higher waists in those items. I also find joggers very forgiving for muffin top with a slouchy top. I also never tuck. Saddle bags are handled by these two strategies as well. The longer tops cover and the joggers skim.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Drapier tops, those with small pleats at the neckline and looser at waist line, or a boxy cut works well, too, with slimmer or skin fitting pants and tube or pencil skirts. These all really work with the theory of loose over tight. If you want to wear closer fitting or cropped tops, choose looser fit jog-style or palazzo pants, pleated or gathered skirts, or something with elastic (athletic style) or drawstring waist. Then you can go for tight over loose and still fulfill the proportion/balancing goals.

This strategy works for anyone who doesn't have a super thin, hourglass or boy-straight figure, that is, apple, pear, or muffin waist all qualify. (How do they get these food names?)

Elle

Veteran

I find I can't wear tight tops and bottoms together without muffin city. But for my body, trapeze or swing drape tops over slim fitting bottoms are flattering Also, finding pants that hit either higher or lower than than the ones you've been wearing may help.

Congrats on being a mom!

Joy

Veteran

Ramya, you will lose the muffintop in time. I remember DH not wanting me to wear loose tops that he thought made me look pregnant. Look for wide waist bands and maybe brands like NYDJ. I suspect this is why yoga pants are popular with young moms. Tops with banded bottoms ca work well being loose over the midriff but reining volume back in. Wishing you lovely mom moments.

catgirl

Veteran

Our culture invented the ultimate muffin top camo - kurtis! I wear tunic and mid-rise skinnies or leggings all the time. The more a-line the better. That or loose tops and jersey pencil skirts.

ramya

Veteran

Thank you ladies. I guess I am just too frustrated and confused.
And like with joy my dh dislikes me wearing anything loose. I am having hard time investing time for myself. But thanks to you ladies I have a head start now

annabelle

Veteran

These are great suggestions! I like the straight loose cut top over a skinny bottom, myself. That can be a t shirt, sweater, or a straight cut tunic. The drapey or flowy look doesn't suit me as well.

For dresses, I like something ruched around the midsection.

I just created a collection of tops from my finds for you. (There were too many for me to clog up this thread with.) http://youlookfab.com/finds/co.....ection=823 (You can make a copy of someone's collection by choosing "Duplicate Collection" among the choices on the left)

I'm really practiced at this, as you can see!

catgirl

Veteran

BTW a more tailored version of the dress shape I'm wearing today would be a good option. Flows away from the waist right where muffin would be.

annabelle

Veteran

Ooh, I just read your dh dislikes me wearing anything loose.

The partial tuck is your friend. I just bought these pants, which, in theory, would be the worst thing ever for an apple. However when I do a front partial tuck above the bow with a t-shirt it is genius.

The Newsboy Pants

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Aziraphale

Veteran

It looks like you're specifically asking about how to prevent denim from giving you a muffin top -- by that I assume you mean jeans. Everybody's body is different, and two women who have a little extra around the waist will find that different things work for them, but here's what I do: I either wear a woven, structured shirt (untucked) with my jeans, or -- far more frequently! -- a relaxed and flexible knit top that I semi-tuck into my belt. Works perfectly. I find that linen or linen blends are particularly flattering because they collapse against the body, showing its shape, without clinging to anything. Stretchy tee-shirts are the worst for highlighting lumps, and boxy cotton tee shirts are generally unflattering unless they are a very lightweight knit.

I suspect higher-waisted jeans might help here, too. I can't wear them (they look pretty bad on me) but when I wear high-waisted skirts, it totally smooths over all waist lumps. Magic. so if your body shape can handle high-waisted jeans, they might be an option.

Also, sorry to contradict you here, Joy, but muffin top from childbearing may never go away. I am very slim and I still have extra around my middle, and some of the problem is actually loose skin that nothing short of surgery will take care of. But it's really not that big a deal

tulle

Veteran

Ramya, Gap's Resolution Slim Straight jeans are very stretchy and comfortable, with a rather high rise and roomy waistband. You might want to try a pair of those--very flattering.

Thistle

Veteran

So, I hear ya!! After having babies, parts of me that had always been firm are now flabby. A few things I have learned:

1. high rise jeans and trousers (aka mom jeans) are chosen by moms for a reason. Lower cut jeans amplifies the softness of motherhood. I also AVOID any slimming jeans like the plague. It just makes the mommy softness get squished to the sides.

2. Looser, flowing skirts. Go for fit and flare and A-line. Pencil skirts work, too, but they have to be loose enough. Tube skirts have been right out for me!

Every time I feel a bit sad, I look at my baby girls and remember its okay to have a mom body. I am a mom! And I wouldn't give them up for any body.

kerlyn

Veteran

I've recently given in and bought some mid-rise jeans in a size larger. I'm so much more comfortable now than I was squeezing into my too-small jeans. I find I'm not wearing real fitted shirts like I used to. I guess I'm enjoying the looser, drapier styles now, and I don't have to worry about my mom belly!

For hot summer days, I love my jersey, empire waist knee-length dresses. They just skim over the curves!

Robin

Wearing your shirts untucked doesn't have to mean that they fit loosely.

I've recently discovered the magic of belting - yes, belting - looser fitting tops.

Angie hwrote a great article on how to wear belts: http://youlookfab.com/2010/04/.....hallenged/

Tops with asymmetrical hemlines, or detailing around the bottom can also help you avoid feeling like you're wearing a tent since the visual details are meant to be seen, not tucked away in bottoms.

I've found them hard to find for my petite frame, but tops that are tailored raround the shoulder and bust and gently flare out aaround the waist are comfortable and can look stylish.

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