Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Fashion Girl,

Dear Fashion Girl,

What kind of clothes/colors can I wear that will hide my stomach?

Jessika

DearJessika:

The stomach area of the body is a problem for many of us. We may see girls wearing"belly shirts"all around us, but we need a bit more coverage! If you don't have a board-flat tummy to put on display, you may want to stay away from all tops that are too short and/or tight around your middle. Buying tees and shirts just one size larger than usual (not huge!) can help, and they also tend to be longer as well. Shirts should hit you mid-hip. (Any longer and they'll make your legs look short.) Shop with your eye out for styles that are made not to be form-fitting, such as peasant tops and other tops that lightly skim your body. When choosing pants, avoid those that are overly tight, because they'll only call attention to your mid-section.

Blouses that button up the front and are shaped -- nipped in at the waist -- are also good if you have a tummy that you want to hide. This shape in jackets is great, too -- a short, shaped jacket that nips in at the waist. Wearing a shirt, cardigan sweater, or Levi's-style jacket open over a t-shirt is a cute way to divert attention away from your tummy. All these jackets, sweaters, and blouses have one thing in common: a front"placket,"or the part down which the buttons are affixed, forms a vertical line that draws the eye up and down. This is slimming. You always want to create a vertical line with your clothing if you can, because it gives the illusion that you are taller and thinner.

The common wisdom is that darker colors are more slimming than pale ones, but a great way to camouflage a tummy problem is to wear any single color both on top and on the bottom. Wearing the same color top and bottom elongates your body, making you look taller and slimmer overall. A great way to put this rule into effect is to wear a top and skirt in the same hue, then add hose to match. A pair of tall boots would really set off this outfit!

Try some of these guidelines to dressing slimmer and you're sure to reap the benefits!

Good luck and have a less stressed fashion day!

Sincerely, Fashion Girl