Having an hourglass figure is a blessing, but when you also have a tummy, finding clothes that flatter both your curves and your midsection can feel challenging. The key is not to hide your shape but to enhance it by choosing pieces that highlight your defined waist while elegantly skimming over your stomach. This guide offers 15 expert-approved styling tips to help you embrace your beautiful silhouette with confidence and build a wardrobe you absolutely love.
Embrace High-Waisted Bottoms
High-waisted pants or skirts are a game-changer. They sit at the natural waist, which is the narrowest part of an hourglass figure, cinching you in and creating a smooth line over the lower tummy. This style provides gentle support and elongates the legs, balancing your proportions beautifully. A great pair to start with is the Levi Strauss & Co. Gold Label Totally Shaping Pull-On Skinny Jeans.
Opt for A-Line Silhouettes
A-line skirts and dresses are your best friend. They fit snugly at the waist and then gently flare out over the hips and tummy, creating a classic, feminine shape without clinging to the midsection. This silhouette masterfully highlights your defined waist while skimming over areas you might feel less confident about. The GRACE KARIN Women’s Pleated A-Line Skirt is a versatile and highly-rated option.
Discover the Magic of Wrap Dresses
A true wrap dress is universally flattering, especially for an hourglass figure with a tummy. The V-neckline elongates the torso, while the tie-waist cinches at the smallest point, drawing the eye upward. The crossover fabric drapes elegantly over the midsection, providing camouflage without adding bulk. Consider the timeless style of the Amazon Essentials Women’s Surplice Faux-Wrap Dress to experience its magic.
Use Peplum Tops Strategically
Peplum tops are designed to accentuate the waist and flare out, which is perfect for concealing a tummy. The key is to find a peplum that starts at your natural waistline. This detail creates a defined waist and lets the fabric flow over the midsection, maintaining your hourglass shape without any uncomfortable clinging. A lovely example to try is the Allegra K Women’s Ruffle Sleeve Peplum Top.
Wear Structured Blazers and Jackets
A well-fitting, structured blazer is a powerful tool. Opt for single-breasted styles that nip in at the waist. The defined shoulders and sharp lines create an outer frame that skims over your curves, streamlining your silhouette and drawing attention to your hourglass shape rather than your midsection. The Cicy Bell Women’s Casual Blazer is a fantastic choice that offers great structure.
Flatter with an Empire Waist
Empire waistlines, found in both tops and dresses, are fitted just under the bust and then flow loosely over the stomach area. This style is excellent for drawing the eye to the upper body and creating a long, vertical line. It completely bypasses the midsection, offering comfort and a very flattering silhouette. We love the effortless elegance of the YESNO Women’s Loose Swing Maxi Dress.
Create a Sleek Monochromatic Look
Dressing in a single color from head to toe creates an unbroken vertical line, making you appear taller and slimmer. This visual trick is incredibly effective for minimizing attention on any specific area, including the tummy. It provides a sleek, sophisticated, and streamlined look that enhances your natural curves in the most elegant way. To start your look, consider these Rekucci Ease into Comfort Straight Leg Pants.
Utilize Vertical Stripes
Just like a monochromatic look, vertical stripes draw the eye up and down, creating an illusion of length and slimness. This pattern is excellent for elongating your torso and detracting from the width of the midsection. Choose pieces where the stripes are not too wide to get the most flattering effect for your hourglass shape. A great piece to incorporate this is the Sidefeel Women’s Striped Button Down Shirt.
Find the Perfect Dark Wash Jeans
A pair of dark wash, mid-to-high rise, straight-leg jeans offers a perfect balance. The dark color has a slimming effect, while the straight cut skims over your hips and thighs without clinging, creating a long, lean line from waist to ankle. This style avoids drawing too much attention to the lower half. The Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Classic High Rise Jean is a fan favorite.
Invest in Quality Shapewear
Never underestimate the power of a good foundation. The right shapewear can smooth your midsection, eliminate lines, and provide a seamless canvas for your clothes to drape over beautifully. It’s not about changing your size, but about creating a sleek silhouette that boosts your confidence in any outfit. For reliable control, many women swear by the SPANX OnCore High-Waisted Mid-Thigh Short.
Belt at Your Natural Waist
Using a belt is a fantastic way to emphasize the smallest part of your torso. Place a medium-to-wide belt over dresses or cardigans right at your natural waist. This trick instantly creates that coveted hourglass definition and draws the eye away from the tummy area just below it. For a chic and adjustable option, check out the SANSTHS Women’s Wide Stretch Cinch Belt.
Choose Flattering Necklines
The right neckline can work wonders by drawing attention upward, toward your face and décolletage. V-necks and scoop necks are particularly effective as they create a vertical line that elongates your upper body. This visual strategy helps to balance your proportions and shifts the focus away from your midsection, beautifully complementing your hourglass shape. The Amazon Essentials Women’s Classic-Fit V-Neck T-Shirt is a perfect wardrobe staple.
Look for Ruched and Draped Fabrics
Fabrics that are ruched, gathered, or draped across the midsection are a stylistic secret weapon. This textural detail creates soft folds that cleverly camouflage the tummy area without adding any extra volume. It’s a sophisticated way to add interest to a top or dress while providing a very flattering fit. A perfect example is the GOBLES Women’s Ruched Bodycon Dress, which uses this technique beautifully.
Play with Asymmetrical Hems
Asymmetrical tops and dresses create diagonal lines across the body, which is a fantastic way to trick the eye. Instead of a straight, horizontal line drawing attention to the midsection, the uneven hem keeps the eye moving, creating a more dynamic and slimming silhouette. This is a modern and stylish way to flatter your figure. You can explore this style with the LARACE Women’s Asymmetrical Hem Tunic Top.
Layer with Longline Cardigans
Open, longline cardigans, dusters, or kimonos are excellent layering pieces. Worn open, they create two long vertical lines on either side of your body, which has a significant slimming effect on your overall silhouette. This outer layer glides over your curves and tummy area, providing coverage without concealing your shape entirely. The MEROKEETY Women’s Long Sleeve Open Front Cardigan is a cozy and stylish option.
Dressing an hourglass figure with a tummy is all about celebrating your shape, not hiding it. By incorporating styles that define your waist, elongate your frame, and gracefully skim your midsection, you can create looks that are both stunning and comfortable. Remember that fashion rules are merely suggestions; the most important thing is to wear what makes you feel powerful and confident. Use these tips as a starting point to experiment and refine your personal style.
