On the hunt for new stylish dresses to hide a tummy, but not sure where to start? As a stylist I often get asked about frocks to flatter curves, and I have had years of experience with finding pieces to make women look and feel their best. It can be tricky to shift that stubborn weight around your middle, so I’ve rounded up some hero buys as well as some top tips from industry experts to help your feel body confident and happy with your wardrobe.
No matter what your shape and size, we can all feel a little self-conscious sometimes, and if your problem area is your tummy, finding clothes to hide any lumps and bumps while feeling comfortable to wear, can be a tough task. If you’re unsure where to start, learning some simple styling tricks can make all the difference when it comes to hitting the shops and adding to your autumn capsule wardrobe. Swotting up on shopping advice will make you feel more sure of what to look for right now and for years to come.
Before you get started with finding your frocks, it's important to remember that a not-so-perfect middle (or any other body hang ups) shouldn’t get you down or stop you from wearing items that you really love. Your personal style should reflect who you are, so don’t let tummy worries get in the way of having fun with fashion – embrace your body and wear what you like!
The best styles of dresses to hide a tummy
Whether you’re looking for a new comfy midi dress for weekend wear or searching for Christmas party outfit ideas, I have rounded up the very best stylish dresses to hide a tummy, as well as top tips and tricks on how to style them. It’ll help you shop and choose your outfit with confidence right now and into new season.
Dresses to hide a tummy: wrap dresses
Universally flattering, a wrap front dress is a total fashion failsafe for all shapes and sizes. The cross-over front will pull you in at your waist, and wrapped designs often have a tie sash or knot to one side which cleverly draws attention away from your stomach. As well as being tummy-flattering, the deep v-neckline on a wrap dress will suit bigger busts or give smaller chests a boost too.
RRP: £68 (was £75) | Sequins are no longer just reserved for Christmas, so you can wear this show-stopper during the festive period, and then team it with simple heels as a best wedding guest dress in the spring too.
RRP: £37.99 | Animal print is a safe bet as it has the ability to look and feel fresh and trend-ticking while still being a total classic. Wear this one with simple black heels and gold jewels.
RRP: £110 | As well as cinching in your waist with a wrap front, the ruffles will also work to disguise any lumpy areas, making this midid dress a total winner for smoothing over your silhouette.
Dresses to hide a tummy: Empire Line Dresses
Empire line dresses are fitted around the shoulders and top, and then flare out from just below the bust, making them a wise choice for anybody feeling worried about their tummy. The fit-and-flare shape will draw attention to your slimmest point and then the looser skirt will skim over any problem areas without swamping you in fabric.
RRP: £110 | This printed frock has longer sleeves to cover up any upper arm issues without feeling restricting to wear, and it's cut to sit just below the bust and flare out a little for a smoothing fit. Team it with tights and knee boots for a chic autumnal vibe.
RRP: £85 | This satin number will feel extra special with metallic accessories for a fancy soiree, but can easily be dressed down when layered under the best wool jumpers and finished with trainers.
RRP: £88 | The empire line and floaty fabric makes this one super flattering, and the shimmery gold stars are absolutely perfect for the festive season. It'll feel super special year after year.
Dresses to hide a tummy: Belted Dresses
A great way to make your tummy appear smaller is by pulling your middle in with a belted detail. Wider belts will work wonders to cinch-in your tummy for an instant hour-glass silhouette, and if you opt for one in a matching colour to your dress it be even more flattering on your midsection.
RRP: £59.99 | This button down midi dress features a check print that gives it a high end feel. Add a belt to pull you in at the waist, or you could even wear it almost as a jacket over slimming jeans, as it's modelled on the Zara site.
RRP: £89 | If you're wondering 'what colour suits me?', this bold plum shade is a great place to start. The block colour of this preppy, button-down dress means that it can be styled up or down in a multitude of ways.
RRP: £18 | This super soft, tshirt dress proves that belted frocks don't need to be rigid or formal. The casual tied waist will add shape to the sporty design for a flattering fit.
Dresses to hide a tummy: Illusion Dresses
A cleverly placed seam, contrast colour or panel can completely transform how your figure looks. An illusion dress not only disguises any insecurities, but can add curves on straighter body shapes too. Vertical lines will attract attention and create the appearance of a narrower silhouette, which in turn will flatter your tummy.
RRP: £139 | This bright and bold design will look fab now and the sunshine tone means it'll sit just as nicely in your spring capsule wardrobe too. Wear it with court shoes and a trench coat for a polished feel.
RRP: £209 | The black and white contrasting panels and graphic shapes on this midi dress add the appearance of curves and a smaller waist without being OTT. The simple design will look great layered over a black roll neck.
RRP: £38 | The fuss-free black design of this dress is given a contemporary spin with the white seam details. The visible stitching will draw the eye towards the centre of your silhouette for a slimming effect.
Dresses to hide a tummy: Ruched Dresses
Ruched areas across the front and sides of your dress can work wonders to cover up any lumps while adding extra style points to your outfit. Subtle pleating details can also add the illusion of curves to your waist and hips for the most flattering finish.
RRP: £149 | Ensure you gain the title of 'best dressed guest' at any future event, with this attention-grabbing gown. The scarlet tone will look on-trend for years to come, and the ruched and draped detail to one side will cover any hang-ups nicely.
RRP: £120 | This figure-hugging frock will fit you in all the right places, and the twisted knot to one side will act as sartorial camouflage to keep any tummy issues at bay.
RRP: £119 | The ruching on this dress spans all along one side to accentuate natural curves or create them on a sportier figure. The gentle gathered fabric will skim over a tummy nicely to leave you looking and feeling fantastic.
Dresses to hide a tummy: Trapeze Dresses
The light and airy shape of a trapeze dress makes it super easy and comfortable to wear, and despite the name, it doesn’t have to be huge and tent-like either. The cut doesn’t cling to your body, so it will drape over a bigger midsection or curvier hips nicely. Opt for trapeze dresses that are slightly fitted across the shoulders and upper chest to add some definition, and look for shorter lengths to avoid looking swamped in fabric.
RRP: £139 | This fit and flare dress will fast become a key item in your winter capsule wardrobe, and will look particularly special with knitted tights and ankle boots for easy weekend style.
RRP: £110 | The subtle shimmer running through this loose and swishy dress ups the glam-factor while still being very easy to wear. Buddy it up with heels and your best designer bag and you'll be all set.
RRP: £110 | This hero little black dress is a gorgeous choice for cocktail hour and will skim over your stomach and hips nicely without overloading you in fabric. Wear with a blazer or show off this season's leopard print trend with a printed jacket.
Printed Dresses
Don’t shy away from a bold print. A big and busy pattern can act like wardrobe camouflage to detract attention away from your tummy – and all while making a fashion statement! Hero prints like polka dots, stripes and florals are a wise investment, as they are a total classic and work well for any age and style.
RRP: £109 | This paint-splash style print gives a modern vibe to a classic polka-dot, and the bow details make for a pretty finishing touch. Keep your accessories minimal and simple, and let this dress take centre stage.
RRP: £79 | This beautiful multicoloured design is one of my favourite M&S autumn top picks right now and will add a boho touch to your wardrobe. Wear with trainers or boots for daytime cool.
RRP: £90 | A bold striped number like this one will slim down your silhouette and banish any tummy worries while making a style statement. Wear with heels or a shiny pair of brogues.
Stylish dresses to hide a tummy: Gathered Waist Dresses
Dresses with a gathered waist not only draw you in for a slimmed down silhouette but are super comfy to wear, thanks to the stretchy middle. An elasticated waist detail or a shirred top half will add shape and definition to an otherwise loose dress, and the gathered fabric detailing around the band cleverly disguises any insecurities around your stomach
RRP: £99 | This do-it-all dress can easily be styled up with heeled boots and a top-handle bag for a posh brunch, or take it on holiday and wear with simple sandals and a floppy hat. It’s a classic design that has just the right amount of elasticated shape.
RRP: £49 | The shirring at the top of this dress will fit snugly while being comfy, and the skirt half flares out just above the tummy to disguise any issues. The teal tone can be styled with a wide range of accessories for a different spin.
RRP: £79 | The gathered details on this dress sits higher in the middle to help create curves while showing off your shape. The long sleeves are great for the colder weather months too.
What To Consider When Buying a Dress
- Your Body Shape - Aside from your budget and the occasion you're shopping for, a great starting point is to figure out your body shape. Rather than just focusing on covering your stomach, understanding your natural shape means you can find items that will accentuate and show off your best assets. As well as dresses, figuring out your body type will help you find all kinds of staple pieces, including the best jeans for your body shape. For example, hour glass shapes have a naturally smaller waist, so opting for dresses with details to cinch you in at your middle, will look fantastic. While apple shapes often have a smaller bum and slender legs, so shorter length frocks will be a wardrobe winner. Thinking about your body as a whole, rather than focusing on your tummy will make dress-shopping all the more easy.
- Colours - While we are firm believers that you can where whatever you want to wear, it’s worth keeping in mind that very light clothing tones can make paler skin look a little washed out. Take some time to think what colour suits me, so you can aim for shades that really pop against your skin tone and hair colour. This will add extra wow to your wardrobe while making you feel good.
- Fabrics - Materials are a big thing to consider too – cheaper dresses are often made of synthetic materials like polyester which can feel a little bit sweaty to wear over the summer months and won’t have as much give. Opting for natural based fabrics like cotton and linen when you can, means that you’ll feel more comfortable and your dress will likely last for longer too.
FAQs
How to style a tummy-hiding dress?
woman&home's Digital Fashion Editor Caroline Parr gives us her top tips for styling your new frock - "When it comes to styling, accessories can really help draw the eye away from your tummy. If it’s a looser style or simple midi dress you're wearing, statement jewellery, head-turning scarves and colour pop bags are all good options to add interest and texture.
On the other hand, if you’re disguising your tummy with details like pleating and ruching, you might want to keep accessories to a minimum and allow the dress to do all the talking.
The best shapewear isn’t essential but can give you a confidence boost, particularly for a big occasion like a wedding (and if it’s only for a few hours). Avoid the firmest styles and instead opt for comfortable but smoothing options - they do exist!"
What material is best for hiding a tummy?
Very clingy and stretchy fabrics can make any lumps and bumps look worse, so it's best to avoid them if you're worried about your tummy. Instead look for slightly thicker fabrics with some hold and structure - cottons, linens and even denim will all be roomier and wont be as skin-tight. As well as skimming over your wobbly bits, these fabrics will often be more breathable and comfortable to wear.
What style of dress is most slimming?
There isn't just one style of dress that will universally fit and flatter everyone - finding a dress to hide a tummy is all down to personal preference, your body shape and what you enjoy wearing. If I really had to pick one though, i'd suggest starting with a wrap dress, as the crossover front will accentuate curves on hourglass and pear shapes, or help to create them on apple shapes and sportier frames. As well as drawing you in at the waist, the diagonal cut will skim across lumps and bumps on your midriff nicely. The knotted or gathered side will draw the eye to the side of your figure rather than the front for a slimmed down and smoother feel. Wrap shapes are a wardrobe winner if you're worried about your midriff.
Caroline is Digital Fashion Editor for woman&home, and has been a fashion writer and editor for ten years.
After graduating from the London College of Fashion, she has spent the last decade tracking down and writing about celebrity outfits, covering events ranging from the Met Gala to the King’s Coronation.
She has an encyclopedic knowledge of brands, but always likes to know about new and under the radar labels. She’s originally from Liverpool, and outside of work, her great loves are leopard print and her lively but adorable cocker spaniel, Ghillie.
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