Looking for the best pants to hide your belly? We’ve got you covered. In this article, you will find two key strategies to use to find pants and skirts which perfectly fit and hide your belly.
Finding the best pants to hide your belly
A challenge many women experience is finding pants to hide your belly and skirts that fit perfectly when your hip and waist are drastically different sizes or you have a larger tummy.
Another desire is to find pants and skirts that tuck the belly in.
The challenge is to find the best pants that fit. If you have a belly, that often means looking for pants with an elasticized waist.
There are TWO different, but just as effective options you could select.
- Pants with an elastic waist
- Pants that help tuck the tummy in
First, let’s look at pants and skirts which are comfortable and which fit well because they have an elasticated waist.
Second, I will show you some stylish options which actually help to tuck your tummy in and give you a smoother silhouette.
Getting the right fit
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 an elastic waistband).
When buying new pants to hide your belly 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.
Julia (above) opts for a classic pair of black pants, creating a flattering column of black underneath her draped cardigan.
Get her draped two-way jacket from J.Jill and wear it with this similar turtleneck top, elastic waist wide leg pants and booties.
Elastic waistband skirts and women’s elastic waist pants 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.
Whereas once, these may have been seen as a styling option only for the very old, and they were made in rather unflattering man-made materials such as polyester, elastic waist pants have come a long way in the style stakes.
Joanna (above) wears a stylish elastic-waist skirt with a drawstring tie.
Recreate her look with this similar top, jacket, elastic beige skirt and boots.
Comfortable pants with elastic waistbands
Let me show you the extensive options you have when it comes to selecting pants to hide your belly with elastic waistbands that create flattering and chic looks.
From on-trend cropped jeans to wide leg black trousers, mostly every kind of pants 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 when looking for pants to hide your belly
Keep your body shape in mind
Just because you are opting for a pair of elastic waist pants, don’t forget about what styles flatter your body shape.
You will find elastic waist pants in every style from skinny to bootcut.
Jona (above) chooses a pair of patterned pants, perfect for spring.
Get her look with this cardigan, crossbody bag from Gucci, sunglasses from & Other Stories, and pair with this similar pants, v-neck tee and pumps.
Also take a look at how to wear printed pants.
Try a longer top
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.
Gibson cross front tunic blouse
Or a more tailored top
Keep the style rule in mind that it’s usually best to combine a loose fit with a tighter or more tailored top. If your pants have a tighter fit a wider top may look better.
Style appropriately
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.
Women’s elastic waist pants
Typically, if you are going for a dressier option in a style with an elastic waist, you should aim for pants that do not have those scrunchy type of hems.
As mentioned above, there are a number of great elastic waistband options.
These can be a challenge when going for an office-appropriate look, and can be more appropriate for casual or after-work hours looks.
Georgette (above) chooses a pair of pull-on utility pants.
Get her cami top and pull-on cargo pants from Catherines, and wear it with this similar jacket, bucket bag and leopard print shoes.
Elastic only at at the back
A good style to look out for can be pants which look like regular pants at the front, but with an elasticated waistband at the back.
You can still opt for a belt if your pants are elasticated. Just make sure the belt doesn’t draw attention to any problem areas.
Many pants come in a style where they look like “regular” button-fastening pants from the front, but they have an elasticated waistband at the back.
As well as traditional elastic waist pants, another option is a stretchy pull-on 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.
You will find that drawstring pants with cuffed hems look best styled casually.
There are also plenty of elastic waistband pants which are very versatile and which could be dressed up or down.
Pants with an elastic waistband can also be a good option for travel.
Eileen Fisher slim stretch ankle pants
VERO MODA paperbag waist wide leg crop pants
Kim (above) opts for a bright pop of color with her linen pants.
Check out this similar polka dot shirt, linen pants, sandals, handbag and sunglasses.
Eileen Fisher straight leg ankle pants
Nic (above) opts for a romantic floral print.
Steal her look with this similar halter top, palazzo pants, espadrille sandals and sunglasses.
Topshop cuffed wide leg trousers
Ted Baker London wide leg pants
Elastic waist jeans
Jeans are wonderful but the heavy buttons and thick zippers can sometimes enlarge your belly. Instead opt for elasticized jeans.
Kylie (above) chooses pull-on jeggings.
Check out this similar blouse, blazer, denim leggings, sandals and sunglasses.
You will find that elastic waist jeans come in every style that “regular” jeans do, but jeggings tend to be the easiest style to find.
Chic Classic Collection pull-on pants
Effective belly hiding elastic waistband skirts
Just as with pants, you can find plenty of styles of skirts which feature an elastic waistband.
Skirts too can be very effective in hiding 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.
This means you can dress to suit your body type as well as being stylish and comfortable.
Bev (above) opts for a elastic-waist maxi skirt.
Check out this red printed skirt you can try and pair with this similar shirt, sandals, crossbody bag and sunglasses.
Love, Fire ruffle hem midi skirt
Pants that tuck the tummy in
Of course, you don’t have to choose an elasticated waist to make sure that your pants or skirts fit your tummy.
Another good option is to look for clothes with “tummy tucking” technology or with a high-rise.
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.
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:
Some of the examples above in the sections on elasticated waist clothing may have good tummy tucking capabilities, but in this second section, I will specifically talk about pants and jeans that can smooth out your tummy.
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). They have knee versions and long leggings.
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!
Read more about this in our article on how to wear leggings – an extensive guide.
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.
Tummy tucking jeans
Some of these jeans have an elastic waistband, and some have a regular fastening but are made from stretchier fabric with clever control panels.
The NYDJ range is one of my favorites as it incorporates “tummy tuck” technology.
Find out what more what are best tummy control jeans in stores now.
What are some your biggest challenges when it comes to finding the best pants to hide your belly?
Continue reading:
- How To Hide Your Belly With The Right Clothes
- The Best Tops To Hide Your Tummy
- The Best Tummy Control Jeans To Give You A Smoother Look
Like this post on the best pants to hide your belly? Share it on Pinterest!
Feature image by Bev
Want to get more articles from 40+style in your inbox, subscribe here.
You can also connect with 40+style on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.
Support 40+style by using the links in our articles to shop. As an associate for Amazon and many other brands, we receive a small commission (at no cost to you) on qualifying purchases which enables us to keep creating amazing free content for you. Thanks!
Thank you Sylvia! I spent already hours reading, and yes I started to love myself as I am…
About skirts, I was wondering if pleated or gathered skirts with a low waistline (like on the hips) is a solution when you have a tummy. Would it also be the same with a long skirt cut in biais? I sew most of my clothes because I don’t find my size in the style I like (for ex. Massimo Duti) I live in Belgium.
Some skirts cut in bias are fitted around the tummy area so you would need to wear a top that covers your belly halfway (depending on your unique proportions).
I absolutely love your website!!! Everything on here is so practical and useful. Thank you for addressing all shapes and sizes without breaking the bank!!!!
Do you have any brand/shopping information about the red/white skirt and white tie-bottom tee shirt shown as the title photo for this article? Thank you.
Every photo of a woman displayed on this page is linked to her Instagram photo. You may find details of the clothes there.
Thank you. I don’t do Instagram, so I was hoping for a shopping link.
I have a tummy that looks about 6 months pregnant as well as thunder thighs to go with it. How do I hide both?
If you want to downplay your hips go to https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-dress-a-pear-shaped-body/ To downplay your belly go to https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-hide-your-belly/
Can you wear a tucked-in shirt or top with pull-on pants? I get bored wearing tunics and leggings or skinny jeans.
It depends o the kind of pull on pants you’re using. If they’re very tight and more like leggings, it’s usually not a good idea. Also see my guidelines on how to wear leggings. https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-wear-leggings-over-40-an-extensive-guide/
However, for slightly looser styles, it can be great for your silhouette to either tuck or semi-tuck.
Thank you so much for showing me all this info.
❤️ Sílvia Jorge
Hi! I suffer from enlarged kidneys and find it very difficult to find dresses to hide my huge pregnant like abdomen due to my illness. I end up hiding in the same ugly clothes. Please help.
Did you check out my article on how to hide the belly with the right clothes yet? https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-hide-your-belly/
Where do you find such pants!? I find them to cover my muffin-top but they are still cut low over the belly. Seems like all the tops are made of rayon type materials which cling to your belly and show the waist band that is too low. Impossible to dress stylish in a hot Fl. Climate. Body shapers are too hot in the warmer climate and roll down.
I listed a few examples here (like the Stella Carakasi leggings). It’s just a matter of finding the ones that work for you. I offer more ideas in this article https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-hide-your-belly/
Hi good advice, and the outfits look great, my other problem is hot all the time and sweating- I struggle with ant colour bottom except black because of the wet patches and can only wear 1 top layer
Any suggestions?
Thanks
You want to get a top that has good hiding properties on its own. I’m giving lots of examples in this article https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-hide-your-belly/ Also be sure to ONLY choose natural fabrics that can breathe.
hi thank you so much I use to do moderling 25 yrs ago I could wear anything but since having children I have put a few pounds on ,and found it hard to get clothes iam 45 yrs old 6foot 3 inches and 18 stone ,so and all my fat is on my belly ,the clothes I iam wearing make me look bigger people asking me if I was pregnant again ,o now I can go out and do a good shop for clothes I know I will look good in thanks to your advice ,sincerely lisa Roberts.
Thanks very much Sylvia for the information you are sending me
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER SYLVIA! GOD BLESS YOU!