No matter what size, shape or weight we are as women, it seems that we all struggle with fashion at times. What goes well together? What shirt do I wear with these pants? To belt or not to belt? Why do other people look so comfortable in their clothes when I feel like a hot, sweaty, uncomfortable mess?
Fashion does not have to be a mystery, but the older we get and the more our bodies change, it becomes more of a steep learning curve.
If you are struggling with your wardrobe, before you lose your mind and do a complete closet overhaul, let’s take a look at some of the most common fashion problems and see if we can’t fix those first.
Panty lines
Here it is in plain truth. If you have panty lines of any kind, you are drawing attention to your posterior and not in a good way. Even if you squat all day at the gym and have a fantastic booty, ill-fitting underwear or the wrong underwear for the clothes you are wearing squeeze in all the wrong places. It’s like a muffin top for your behind.
You have a few options:
Go commando! Not for the faint of heart but a totally viable option. Not always the most comfortable under jeans and please don’t try it with a flowy skirt that runs on the short side, but not a bad option with longer dresses or leggings.
A good quality thong. A bad-fitting or cheap thong is VERY BAD and probably the reason you hate them if you do. Find a well-made and comfortable thong like the Hanky Panky Original Rise Thong and you can wear it with just about anything: skirts, jeans, leggings, shorts. A thong will give you the security of wearing underwear without the extra fabric or lines. You can even find athletic thongs for sports or under gym clothes!
Boyshorts with lace. If you are looking for something with a little more coverage, look for a boyshort with no tight elastic around the waist or legs like this Hanky Panky Signature Lace Boyshort. This particular pair gets INCREDIBLE reviews and most all reviewers say they do not ride up (which can often be a concern the more fabric you wear) and do not show lines. With any fuller coverage panty, look for elastic that will hold up to multiple wears and washings, but does not pinch and create that additional “muffin top” look.
If you are unsure what to wear with a certain outfit or have just never found underwear that feels comfortable and flattering to you, don’t be afraid to ask at your favorite store! Just march into Victoria’s Secret or Nordstrom and throw yourself on their underwear-knowing mercy.
An undefined waist
Go look in the mirror in a fitted top. Can you see your waist? Look for the smallest part of your torso, between your bust and your hips.
If you can’t see it, I bet you are wearing the wrong bra. A well-fitting bra that provides full coverage will solve so many problems, including giving you a waist.
Your bra should lift your girls up and make them go straight ahead. If they are sagging or falling off to the side, you need a new bra. If your breasts are resting on your belly, you need to get in the car immediately and go bra shopping.
Your bra should also have enough coverage so your breasts aren’t falling out the top and your back skin isn’t bulging out the back straps.
The vast majority of us need assistance in finding the right bra size and style. Chances are your current bra band is too big and your cup size is too small. For instance, I was wearing a 34C and then I went to Nordstrom and discovered I am really a 32D. There’s no way I would have known this if it didn’t have a professional bra fitting.
So, get yourself into Nordstrom and get a bra fitting. You are not obligated to purchase a bra, but I strongly suggest you do. Yes, they are expensive (regular price underwire bras at Nordstrom are $40-$80+) but you will look thinner when you’re wearing a bra that fits well.
A muffin top
Aside from going Paleo, the only way to solve your muffin top situation is with your clothing. And PLEASE stop trying to fix your side chub with shirts. It won’t work. A big flowy top that hides your belly also makes your entire self look three sizes larger.
You have two legit ways to hide your muffin top:
- Wear high-waisted pants OR
- Wear shapewear
I suggest you utilize both strategies.
You can read my gushing review of JAG high-waisted pull-on jeans HERE and also why I ditched cheap-o jeans for higher-priced options HERE.
Shapewear is better known as Spanx, but there are other brands that work just as well. I have a high-waisted, shorts style of Spanx that has medium snugness (I made up that term) that I wear with non-high-waisted pants, skirts, and dresses that show my belly roll.
You can also get shaping tanks that will smooth out your belly. Amazon has a good option HERE. (I suggest you size up at least one, especially if you think your belly is proportionally large.)
If you work hard at the gym and eat well and you STILL struggle with a mini-muffin top, blame your kids. Kidding, sort of. For those of you who hate the idea of shapewear or anything that feels like your clothes are suffocating you, this is where a slightly flowier shirt can be used like this Lush Perfect Roll Tab Sleeve Tunic.
If you balance out the top with skinny jeans or leggings, you can counteract the potato sack look. Do NOT try to pair a flowy shirt with a flowy skirt or you will lose your shape entirely.
Jeans that NEVER fit quite right
If you have struggled to find a pair of jeans that fits comfortably or doesn’t stretch throughout the day or doesn’t gap at the waist or isn’t constantly having to be yanked and pulled, have no fear! While we won’t tell you what brand of jeans to buy because every single one of us has a wildly different body shape, fit preference and style, you do have a few simple options.
Join the high-waisted pants brigade! Because they sit higher, you can find sizes and styles that fit both your thighs/booty AND your waist. And you have the added bonus of smoothing out any love handles or extra belly skin. You can also go with the pull-on option like the above-mentioned JAG Jeans (not your Momma’s mom jeans anymore).
Get your pants tailored. Yes, you’re adding an expense, but what if a $10-$20 fix could make your pretty good jeans absolutely perfect? Maybe you just need the waist taken in a bit or the length taken up. Ask around on Facebook for a good seamstress in your neighborhood.
Wear a belt! If you have several pairs of jeans that you sort of kind of love if they didn’t have that waist gap/stretchy problem and have tried a traditional belt that only makes the waist gap more prominent, try the hipsi Invisible Flat Jean Belt that will change your life. On the spendier side, but it will update all the jeans currently in your closet from just so-so to totally wearable. Honestly, similar to a baseball belt. Stretchy, so it stays put no matter which way you move and the flat buckle gets rid of the bulk that comes with traditional belts.
Obviously, this will not solve all the fashion woes of the world. But if you tackle these common issues, you will be well on your way to feeling great in your clothes and feeling good about the way you look.
And I’m going to be completely honest with you — fixing my fashion problems has been a process and every single thing I’ve learned about dressing for MY body type is from the Adore Your Wardrobe course.
Registration for this course is open NOW and is worth every single penny.
Go HERE to learn more about the Adore Your Wardrobe course.
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