Clothes with room for my tummy!
I'm in my 50's and having trouble finding clothes that fit my changing body (not to mention all of my old clothes that don't fit at all). I can't go one size up because then they are too baggy in my legs, arms, etc...it's just my tummy that has grown. So I'm looking for brands or stores that have clothes with more room just in the tummy area. I'm short so long tops (like tunics and swing style shirts) look enormous on me. I know about Jag pants and of course there are always stretchy athletic clothes. I'm more interested in "business casual" or at least clothes that are nice enough to wear to a restaurant. I'm fine with paying more for things that really fit. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
Oct 26, 2018
Parent Replies
Try J Jill (jjill.com) - some of their things are more forgiving in terms of fit. Good luck!
Check out Beta Brand. They have what they call dress pant yoga pants. Very comfortable, but a tailored look so they don't look at all like yoga pants. They have some other styles, too. There is a store in SF on Valencia, but you can also order the clothes to your home and return any by mail that don't work. I have two pairs of jeans and a pair of the dress pants and find them to be very comfortable and fit my curvy shape and pouchy belly well. https://www.betabrand.com/
I have the same problem. I've had good luck with NYDJ and with the "dress pant yoga pants" from Betabrand in SF. If you want something more professional and can splurge, MM Lafleur has some incredibly flattering dresses that give the fabulous illusion of a waist. I also wear skirts with some stretch, or knee-length A-lines that can sit at various points on my waist and still look like the right length.
You can try JJill - store in Walnut Creek and JJill.com. Classic styles, good quality fabrics, loose tops. If anything, sometimes they are even too loose. But I have found a few favorite tops. They have good customer service and good reviews in the website too.
Try calling In Full Swing on College Ave. (I have no personal knowledge of this shop.)
Try the "Not My Daughters Jeans" brand. They have some nice casual non-jeans, too.
I recommend that you visit the stores In Full Swing and Seams To Fit in Oakland. They might have good strategies for you. Good luck!
you mentioned that you are short, so I am guessing you buy petite sizes. I found that buying the same size pants from J Jill in regular instead of petite gave my tummy more room.
lots of pants now have tummy flattening panels -- ok these are modern versions of corsets or girdles, but they do help. I like the ones from Chico that are "Brigitte -- So Slimming" :) They are still comfy and don't make me feel like I can't breathe.
Also, I don't know how you feel about skirts but depending on how they are cut they can be great. And then obviously you buy the top in the size you usually wear. I have found a few skirts I like from Boden though I find their sizing really inconsistent.
And finally, find a tailor you like to alter clothes (but also don't get tricked into thinking that anything you try on in a store is alterable to be flattering!)