Dresses That Flatter a Tummy: A Designer's Secrets

The question I'm asked most in my showroom is "Will this hide my tummy?" Almost every woman I dress has an area she'd like to soften, and the tummy is the most common. Here are the design secrets that really work.

What dress style is best for hiding a tummy?

Dresses that skim rather than cling, with a defined waist and a skirt that falls away from the tummy. The best shapes are:

• Sarong or wrap skirts, where fabric drapes diagonally across the tummy.
• Faux wrap bodices, which create a V-neck and draw the eye up.
• Shirt dresses with a sash, which define the waist and fall straight over the tummy.
• Swing skirts, which flare out from just under the bust or the waist.

Do wrap dresses hide a tummy?

Yes, especially when the skirt wraps across the body. The diagonal line is slimming and the gentle drape conceals. My Confident dress has a sarong-style skirt that drapes across the tummy, inspired by Alfred Shaheen's 1940s sarong dresses. The Stevie and Claridges dresses use the same principle.

What design details help?

• Diagonal gathers and layered panels: my Sculpt dress has diagonal gathers and a layered front panel that smooths the tummy, with back shirring to create an hourglass shape.
• An over-tie front layer: the Grace dress has a clever over-tie that smooths the tummy and creates the illusion of a smaller waist.
• A tie sash: the sash on the Straight Zip Pocket falls over the tummy and breaks up the line.
• Prints: a well-scaled print disguises curves beautifully.

Which fabrics are most flattering?

Fabrics with some weight and structure skim the body: ponte Roma jersey, stretch cotton, crepe, velvet and stretch satin. Avoid very thin, clingy jersey, which shows every lump and bump.

Should I wear a belt if I have a tummy?

Yes, but place it at your natural waist, the narrowest part of your torso, which is often just under the bust. A soft sash is more forgiving than a stiff belt.

What should I avoid?

• Very tight bodycon dresses.
• Shapeless, boxy dresses that hang from the bust and make you look bigger.
• Horizontal details, such as a seam or band, sitting at the widest part of the tummy.

Come and try the shapes

Seeing is believing. Book an appointment and I'll show you which shapes work best for you.

Love, Katya x