Aging, perimenopause, post-menopause, changing metabolism, loathing sit-ups, pizza. These are just a few of the reasons why women might carry extra weight in our midsection. And it might not surprise you that the tummy area is the most common insecurity among women. Whatever stage you’re in on your wellness journey, shifting that stubborn weight away from your middle might seem nearly impossible. If there was a quick fix, trust us, we’d shout it from the rooftops! But, with the right styling tips and savvy shopping suggestions, you can wear dresses that mask a tummy, flatter your figure, and make you feel fabulous. Dressing the body you have right now is something you do have control over!

When it comes to body insecurities, arms are another popular body part many women over 40 would rather conceal. You’ll find our favorite tops that cover your arms here.

Best Dresses To Hide Tummy

 There are a few standout dress styles and silhouettes that make it easier to disguise the tummy area. In general, you can look for dresses that either cinch in or draw attention to the smallest part of a woman’s body, just above the natural waist. Or look for dresses that skim over your mid-section altogether, drawing the eye elsewhere (shoulders, neckline, legs). The following dress types are best for masking your middle.

Wrap dress
Darker colored dress
Shift dress
A-Line
Fit and flare
Empire waist
Raised waist
Belted (above the waist) dresses
Caftan

*Before we fully dive in, we want to note that we know Erin does not have a tummy.

*Now before we dive it, we know Erin doesn’t not have a tummy to conceal, but when she is feeling bloated or when she has struggled with a menopausal belly in previous years, these are the type of dress silhouettes she would gravitate toward. After styling women for years, she’s an expert on styling tips for all body types…Erin really knows her stuff!

Dresses That Disguise Tummy

The next 13 dresses vary from super casual to wedding guest-ready, but they all have the same tummy camouflaging magic in common!

Casual Dresses To Hide Tummy

One Shoulder Mini Dress

This first eyelet mini dress is the perfect dress to hide a tummy AND show off your legs. The sexy one-shoulder neckline draws the attention away from your mid-section. Could there be a more perfect dress for summer? The eyelet fabric is 100% cotton so you’ll stay nice and cool. The elbow-length puff sleeve and scalloped hem are feminine details we love. This dress won’t even come close to touching your mid-section, yet it has such stylish details, so you won’t feel like you’re wearing a potato sack.

Racerback Athletic Midi Dress

When it comes to casual dresses for summer, this is the one you never knew you needed…until now. It has a flattering racerback cut (just wear a racerback bra!), high/low hem, and a relaxed fit that isn’t overly voluminous. And as if all of that weren’t enough, the fabric is moisture-wicking and super lightweight making it perfect for hot and humid summers. It has an A-line cut so it naturally floats away from your mid-section. SO flattering. Erin wore this dress on her recent trip to Vietnam and China and our fabulous team member, Kaitlyn, packed it for a beach trip and loved it!

Flowy Dresses To Hide Tummy

V-Neck Midi Dress

Flowy styles are among the easiest silhouettes to hide your tummy. This flowy dress by Aqua has such beautiful movement! The v-neck line naturally draws the eye to your upper half and the empire cut just under the bust allows the fabric to float away from the body. The all-over, vibrant print and pleating will help conceal a tummy for sure. This dress would be beautiful for summer BBQs, parties, date nights, you name it. A simple swap of accessories can really dress this up or down. And, it’s under $120.

Fit & Flare Minidress

This beautiful fit and flare mini dress from Farm Rio is an excellent choice if you are insecure about your midsection. The tie-neck can be left open creating a flattering v-neckline and the tie at the waist can cinch you in just above the belly creating an hourglass shape. The print is stunning, the fabric is light and lovely, and the sleeves offer plenty of arm coverage. The skirt is the perfect amount of flowy and flirty.

This exact dress and a few other gorgeous pieces from Farm Rio are highlighted in our Summer Capsule Wardrobe. In case you missed it, you can check it out here.

Fit & Flare Square Neck Dress

Can you tell Erin has been loving blue lately? 💙 This next dress by La Double J is a classic fit and flare style with a super flattering rounded square neckline. This will show off your gorgeous collarbone and draw the eye away from your tummy. The larger print and heavier fabric will also aid beautifully in minimizing any bulging around the mid-section. It’s midi length, has pockets, and you can wear a regular bra with it too. Wear it with sandals, heels, sneakers, a blazer, or a denim jacket – it’s very versatile!

Slimming Dresses To Hide Tummy

Sleeveless Shift Dress

This cotton blend shift dress by Staud creates one elongated slim line on the body. It’s subtle, but the cutaway shoulders allow them to take center stage, again drawing the eye upward. The cut of this dress completely pulls away from the mid-section. It has a high-stand collar, a long bow at the back of the neck (it’s such a gorgeous detail!), and nautical stripes that scream summer.

Off The Shoulder Dress

Another simple way to draw attention away from your midsection? Wear an off-the-shoulder style dress. In both of these shots, Erin was quickly trying on a few dresses for an upcoming trip (more on that soon!) and loved the shoulder detail on both. On the left, she’s wearing a Farm Rio dress that you can actually wear on or off the shoulder. It has a wide, adjustable belt that adds waist definition right above the tummy.

On the right, Erin’s wearing a similar dress by Avara. It too can be worn on or off the shoulder. It has flattering smocking through the bust and bodice that cinches you above the waist. The fuller skirt with tiered ruffles and slight pleats will glide right over any trouble spots. Both of these dresses would be great for summer vacations!

Speaking of summer vacations, make sure you check out our Summer Vacation Lookbook next. You’ll find it right here.

Deep V-Neckline Dress

Another really great way to minimize your tummy area is to wear a dress with a deep V-neckline. Since white eyelet is such a perfect fabric for summer, we wanted to show you this look from last spring. Erin is wearing a Waimari mini dress with no waist definition at all, a deep scalloped neckline, and pretty puff sleeves. The fabric floats away from the body, but it’s light and flowy. Even the bulgiest of bellies could not be found under this dress. Sizing is limited but we’ll link some similar options below.

Work Dresses To Hide Tummy

Wrap Dress

When it comes to the most universally flattering dress, the award goes to…wrap dresses! Wrap dresses are flattering on most body types. Period. They are THE dresses to hide a multitude of problem areas. They can accentuate curves, create an hourglass figure, balance proportions, and conceal a tummy. Look for strategic and slimming ruching along with a faux or real side tie on your wrap dress. That’s the secret sauce. And if you are trying to minimize your mid-section, don’t tie that tie in the middle which will only add bulk. The side tie brings the eye away from the middle of the body.

While we list the wrap dress under the “work dress” category, this style of dress can be beautiful for any occasion from casual to formal. The neckline, length, and fabric of your wrap dress will help set the tone for business or pleasure!

Cap Sleeve Fit & Flare Black Dress

It goes without saying that darker colored dresses, in general, are more slimming than light colors. So, if you are looking to minimize your tummy, a dark color like black, navy, or deep gray is always a safe bet. Here Erin is wearing a dark fit and flare dress by Me+Em that cinches in above her natural waistline, just under her bust. It has a v-neckline and capped sleeves that create some width across the shoulders. That width is what gives you an inverted triangle effect that narrows the waist. This exact dress is only available in a few sizes, so we’ll link some similar options below!

Wedding Guest Dresses To Hide Tummy

One Shoulder Tiered Print Maxi

Lastly, we wanted to show you two wedding dress styles that work for hide tummy issues. The first is this beautiful green print Farm Rio maxi dress. Erin is actually wearing this dress to a casual beach wedding later this month! The asymmetrical shoulder draws the attention away from the mid-section and the empire waist sits above the natural waistline, so the fabric just eases over your lower half. This dress skims the body, and the elasticized drawstring waist sits just above your natural waistline. Even if you aren’t attending a wedding, you could easily pair this dress with sandals or sneakers to look comfy and chic on any summer day.

One-Shoulder Pleated Gown

Finally, our dressiest wedding guest option. This Ralph Lauren one-shoulder, tie-waist gown is a stunner. The direction of the strategic pleating on the bodice and skirt on this particular dress really helps camouflage the bust and belly. This isn’t always the case with pleating, as sometimes it can add bulk. In general, look for smaller, less wide pleats that don’t sit right on top of your tummy. If in doubt, you can always do away with the tie altogether and look for a one-shoulder dress that has an A-line silhouette. We’ll link an option below.

Let’s get real…what body part are your most insecure about AND have you learned to accept, appreciate, and dress it with confidence? Please share your encouraging thoughts below so our community can benefit from your positivity!

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