The best pants and skirts to fit and hide your belly

A challenge many women experience is finding pants and skirts that fit perfectly when your hip and waist are drastically different sizes. Another desire to to find pants and skirts that tuck the belly in.

There are a few approaches you can take.

First, an option to get the fit right is to have your pants and skirts tailored. This is certainly a great option for pants you already own (or those without elastic waistband). When buying new pants it’s usually best to buy pants that fit the widest part. That way you can ask your tailor to fit the part that is too loose.

A second option (and the one which this post is centered on) is opting for pants and skirts with an elastic waistband.

Elastized pants and skirts can be super stylish and flattering!

Don’t automatically think that an elastic waistband means severely limiting your styling options or that you have to settle for a pair of very, very unflattering pants.

Let me show you the extensive options you have when it comes to selecting pants with elastic waistbands that create flattering and chic looks. From on-trend cropped jeans to wide leg black trousers, most every kind of pant you can imagine comes in elastic waistband styles these days.

An extra benefit of selecting pants and skirts with elastan is that they also help you tuck your tummy in.

Some quick guidelines to keep in mind

• Keep your body shape in mind when dressing.
• If you pick a dressy pair of pants that has a drawstring, it might be best to select a longer top to keep your look office appropriate.
• Keep the style rule in mind that it’s usually best to combine a lose fit with a tighter or more tailored top. If your pants have a tighter fit a wider top may look better.
•  Treat these pants the same way you would any other style. They might be more comfortable and fit better, however, you should still strive to style them appropriately.

Dressy pants

As mentioned above, there are a number of great elastic waistband options. Typically, if you are going for a dressier option in this style you should aim for pants that do not have those scrunchy type of hems. These can be a challenge when going for an office-appropriate look, and can be more appropriate for casual or after-work hours looks.

Casual pants

There are also a number of casual options with elastic waistbands. Some styles even create very flat waistband looks that almost appear to be button closure pants.

Jeans are wonderful but the heavy buttons and thick zippers can enlarge your belly. Instead opt for elasticized jeans.

I love my cropped legging pants which I have in a dark and light wash. Although my bootcut Paige jeans do have buttons and a zipper, the elastized fabric is so good that they do a great job at sucking the belly in.

40+Style contributor Julia who has an apple body shape loves elastacized pants from Chicos.

If you choose jeans that have a high rise, they will do an excellent job at tucking the tummy in.

I’m loving these brands:

• Not Your Daugthers Jeans
• Kut from the Cloth
• Paige

Pants that tuck the tummy in

Some of the examples above may have good tummy tucking capabilities, but here are a few that I and 40+Style contributors have personal experience with.

Leggings can do an excellent job at hiding the belly.

I especially love the leggings from Stella Carakasi. (pictured above)

I have these in several colors. I use them in casual chic looks and combine them with tunics or layered tops as shown below. I also wear the knee-high leggings for yoga! These capris are super stretchy and comfortable but the material is thick enough and do an excellent job sucking the tummy in. They keep their shape very well.

Effective belly hiding skirts

Skirts too can be very effective in hding bellies and stretchy skirts are very easy to fit. If you add a print in the mix, they can be really flattering as they highlight your curves and the elastan sucks in your tummy.

Here are three ways to wear elastic waistband pants in a way that looks absolutely chic and current

To the office

To an evening out

To a day spent in the park

What are some your biggest challenges when it comes to dressing your body shape? What is your go-to style trick?