Style Tips for a Larger Midriff/Tummy: Expert Advice for Confident Dressing

The key to dressing a larger midriff is all about creating visual balance and choosing pieces that skim rather than cling—think structured fabrics, strategic details, and clever layering that flatters your natural shape whilst drawing attention to your best features. After fifteen years of styling women of every body type, I've learnt that it's never about hiding yourself, but rather about wearing clothes that make you feel powerful and comfortable in your own skin.

Let me share the styling techniques I use with my clients that genuinely work, plus the brands that consistently deliver pieces perfect for this body shape.

The Foundation: Fit and Fabric

Here's what I always tell my clients: fit trumps everything. Clothes that are too tight will create bulges and draw attention to areas you'd rather not emphasise, whilst oversized pieces can actually add volume. You want garments that gently skim your body, creating a smooth silhouette.

Fabric choice is equally crucial. Look for medium-weight materials with a bit of structure—think ponte knits, heavier cotton blends, and fabrics with just enough stretch to move with you without clinging. Avoid anything too clingy like thin jersey or overly stiff fabrics that don't drape well.

Strategic Details That Work Wonders

Ruching, draping, and gathering around the midsection are your best friends. These textural details naturally camouflage whilst adding visual interest. Wrap tops and dresses are particularly brilliant because they create definition at the waist and the fabric falls in a naturally flattering way.

Empire-line tops and dresses, which sit just below the bust, flow over the tummy area beautifully. Peplum styles can also work wonderfully, creating shape at the waist and skimming over the stomach. Avoid anything with horizontal stripes or busy patterns directly across the midsection—instead, opt for vertical details, colour blocking, or interesting necklines that draw the eye up.

The Power of Proportions

Playing with proportions is one of my favourite styling tricks. Longer tops that hit at the hip or just below create an elongating effect on the torso. Pair these with well-fitted trousers or jeans—avoid baggy bottoms as they'll throw off your entire silhouette.

High-waisted bottoms are genuinely game-changing. They provide smooth coverage and support whilst creating a defined waistline. Whether you're wearing jeans, trousers, or skirts, high-waisted styles paired with tops that hit right at the waist (or slightly over) create the most flattering line.

Try the "partial tuck" technique—tucking just the front of your shirt loosely into your waistband. This defines your waist without pulling fabric tight across your tummy. It's casual, modern, and incredibly flattering.

Layering Like a Pro

Layering is your secret weapon. A well-fitted blazer, longline cardigan, or structured jacket that hits at the hip creates beautiful vertical lines and adds polish to any outfit. Open fronts create a slimming column of colour, whilst the structured outer layer provides shape.

Lightweight scarves, statement necklaces, and interesting earrings shift focus upward to your face. When people's eyes are drawn to a gorgeous accessory near your neckline, they're not focusing on your midsection.

Denim and Trousers That Flatter

For jeans, high-waisted styles with a contoured waistband provide the best fit and support. Look for pairs with a slight stretch and a waistband that doesn't gap at the back. Avoid low-rise styles that cut across the stomach and create that dreaded muffin-top effect.

Wide-leg trousers balanced with fitted tops create an elegant, elongating silhouette. Straight-leg and bootcut styles also work beautifully, creating a balanced proportion from hip to hem.

Where to Shop: My Tried and Tested Brand Recommendations

High Street Heroes

M&S consistently delivers brilliant fits for real bodies. Their Per Una range often features flattering ruching and their Magic Shaping range genuinely works. The sizing runs true, and the quality is exceptional for the price point.

COS is my go-to for minimalist, architectural pieces in quality fabrics. Their relaxed tailoring and structured knits skim the body beautifully without any fuss. The cuts are modern and sophisticated.

Mango offers contemporary, European-inspired styles with excellent draping. Their wrap dresses and longline blazers are particularly good for creating flattering lines. The fit tends to be generous through the body.

Whistles specialises in grown-up, sophisticated pieces. Their tailoring is superb, and they excel at structured dresses and tops with interesting details that distract from the midsection.

Reiss sits at the premium end of the high street, offering impeccable tailoring and luxe fabrics. Their workwear pieces and structured dresses create beautiful, streamlined silhouettes.

Me&Em has become cult-favourite for good reason. Founded by a former Vogue fashion director, every piece is designed with real women in mind. Their essential tees, relaxed blazers, and easy trousers are perfect for everyday elegance.

Massimo Dutti offers quality basics with a European sensibility. Think well-cut trousers, structured knits, and timeless pieces that work season after season. The fabrics feel expensive and wear beautifully.

Jigsaw creates thoughtful, well-designed pieces with interesting details. Their dresses often feature flattering waist definition and their knitwear is excellent for layering.

Phase Eight specialises in occasion wear and smart casual pieces with clever design details. Their ruched styles and wrap dresses are consistently flattering, and they offer an excellent size range.

Independent Gems Worth Discovering

Hush offers relaxed, Scandinavian-inspired pieces in beautiful fabrics. Their oversized shirts, longline cardigans, and easy dresses are perfect for creating effortless, flattering looks. Everything feels soft and comfortable whilst still looking polished.

Rixo has gained a cult following for their vintage-inspired dresses with modern silhouettes. Their wrap styles and empire-line dresses are particularly brilliant for skimming the tummy whilst creating a feminine, playful look.

Premium Investment Pieces

When you're ready to invest, Max Mara tailoring is unparalleled. Their coats and blazers create the most beautiful structure. Paige denim is worth every penny—their high-waisted styles with contoured waistbands provide incredible shape and support. Citizens of Humanity also delivers exceptional denim that flatters and lasts for years.

Luxury Indulgences

If you're treating yourself, Theory creates minimal, sophisticated pieces in gorgeous fabrics that drape beautifully. Joseph tailoring and silk pieces are investment-worthy, creating clean, elegant lines that skim the body perfectly.

Never Worry About Sizing Again with Tellar

Here's the thing that drives me mad as a stylist: every brand sizes differently. You might be a size 12 in M&S but a 14 in Zara and a 10 in Reiss. It's exhausting and frankly, it stops women from shopping with confidence.

That's where Tellar.co.uk becomes an absolute game-changer. It's the UK's leading sizing tool that matches your body to over 1,500 brands instantly.

How it works:

1. Measure once using your bust, waist, and hip measurements, or simply enter your existing size from a brand you know fits you well.

2. Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand—whether it's COS, Reiss, Mango, or any of the 1,500+ brands in their system. No more guessing, no more returns.

3. It's completely free and works directly in your browser—no downloads, no faff, just instant sizing answers.

Plus, the Tellar Fashion Hub is packed with honest, unbiased style advice from experienced stylists like me. Whether you need the latest jean trends for 2026, the ultimate guide to dresses, or help finding the perfect jacket, it's all there—always free, always independent.

And if you want to master sizing across every brand, check out The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide to understand how different brands measure up.

Final Thoughts

Remember, the goal isn't to hide your body—it's to dress it beautifully and confidently. These styling techniques work because they create balance and proportion, not because they're concealing anything. You deserve to wear clothes that make you feel fabulous, and with the right cuts, fabrics, and brands, that's entirely achievable. Now go forth and shop with confidence!