9 Flattering Dresses That Skim Your Stomach And Feel Like Loungewear
Not that there’s anything wrong with a pooch. Not. A. Single. Thing.
Image from Reformation
by The Candidly Team
Before we get into it, we’re NOT about to tell anyone to “hide” their belly. Any curve on a woman’s body is more than okay. And bellies are no exception.
For most women over 40, extra weight around our midsection is common and can result from myriad sources. Not to mention, unlike any other part of our body (at any age), our bellies can change size and shape throughout a given day. For some, it’s the waning of hormones. For others, it’s the eating of a soft pretzel.
Needless to say, if the word “problem” is ever attached to our tummies, we should probably be talking about what’s going on inside them and not how they look on the outside. That said, of course, we all want to wear clothes that fit and feel exceptional on our specific bodies.
Finding dresses that meet this criteria is hard, especially when we have the tendency to hone in on a single body part, such as our stomach, like the mean judge on a TV talent show.
The good news is, we did the work for you. Here, we found the 9 most flattering dresses that absolutely crush it when it comes to looking wonderful (and feeling supremely comfortable) around a thicker waistline.
1. This Carefree Boho Maxi Dress
Summersalt The Silky Luxe Smocked Maxi Dress
This is one of those dresses that takes zero effort. Throw it on with THESE elegant slides, and you look summery and chic and better dressed than when you assemble your best 6-piece-outfit. For starters, nothing is more comfortable or flattering than a smocked bodice, but it’s the light, flowy, silkiness of the skirt that makes us want to wear this dress every warm day of the year. The stripes give us “Coastal Grandmother” vibes, but we also love it as a day-to-night dress in black.
Price: $115
2. This Wildly Flattering Maxi Dress Of Our Dreams
You can actually read an an entire article’s worth of praises we’ve sung about this dress HERE. The soft, stretchy fit of the top feels like your favorite, most flattering tank, but then, it breezily opens into that graceful lightweight skirt, creating the most flattering silhouette imaginable. We’d never have believed this kind of comfort could manifest in such a chic, versatile dress, and yet, here we are.
Price: $108
3. This Drapey Tie-Front Dress
Modern Citizen Mila Layered Tank Dress
This one is giving us major Goddess vibes. It’s bright, breezy, and perfect for all the weddings we’re attending this year. It’s the dress you pack for any vacation you’re taking between the months of March - September, collecting compliments, like souvenirs, along the way.
Price: $45
4. This Incredibly Cute, Short Shirt Dress
J. Crew Relaxed-fit Short-Sleeve Baird McNutt Irish linen Shirtdress
The length of this light and lovely linen dress makes our legs look extra long, which is especially nice when we’re wanting more coverage up top. Cinch it at the waist with your favorite belt and a pair of THESE chic sandals, and you’ll be summery chic without feeling either too restricted or like you’re wearing a sack. Plus, the size range is excellent, especially considering that this dress looks SO good on every body shape.
Price: $148
5. This Perfect Spring Dress
J. Crew Gwyneth Slip Dress in Linen
The shape of this soft, breathable linen dress is a dream come true for those of us who don’t want to wear something skintight but who also don’t want to be shrouded in layers of shapeless fabric. Throw it on with a stretchy jean jacket and some elegant sneaks, and you’re as springtime-chic as you are comfy.
Price: $138
6. This Not-Too-Tight, Ribbed Midi Dress
Everlane The Ribbed Tank Dress
It’s easy to get intimidated by a fitted midi dress, especially when we’re not thrilled about showing our midsections, but here’s the thing: when done well, a skimming midi can be sleek, elongating, and deeeeeeply flattering. We’re wild about this one from Everlane, because it has structured ribbing, so we feel somewhat supported. Plus, it isn’t too tight or restrictive, so we feel like we can actually breath. You can always pair it with a lightweight button-down or cinch it at the waist like we did HERE if you want a bit of extra coverage around the middle.
Price: $78
7. This Smocked Waist Midi Dress
If you were to write a formula for making a daytime dress that’s comfy, skimming, and impossibly easy to wear, it might read like this: elastic waist, puff sleeve, and airy skirt. This dress is one of those pieces we’ll pull from our closet any warm day of our lives, because we know we look (but also feel) our best in it.
Price: $134
8. This Buttery Soft Wrap Dress
Quince Tencel Jersey Midi Wrap Dress
The loungewear of dresses. It’s heavenly soft, perfectly smoothing, and wraps in just the right spot to flatter our midsection. Plus, it’s one of those dresses that can breezily transition from business to formal.
Price: $60
9. This Throw-On-And-Go, Little Black Dress
This is one of those simple, yet unique pieces that’s really nice for days we want something a bit roomier that still looks clean and chic. The A-line and short length make it really flattering without us looking like we‘re wearing a shapeless sack. It’s also just fun to wear – sort of reminds us of something Diane Keaton might show up in on a day she isn’t wearing the perfect sweater in a Nancy Meyers movie.
Price: $195
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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