Find the right jeans is critical if you have a belly like myself. I used to feel like jeans was the hardest to shop, because many of them make my tummy look more obvious and therefore make me feel self conscious.
Since I have a petite clothing line for women 5’4″ and under, I also receive ton of feedback from my customers of all body shapes and sizes.
Based on my first hand experience as well as their feedback, I’ve put together this detailed guide to help you find that perfect pair of jeans!
Table of Contents
Styling Goal
- Always go for jeans with high-rise waistbands. A high-rise waistband that sits at or above the belly button can help to smooth and flatten the belly area so look for jeans with a wider waistband and avoid anything too tight or constricting.
- Opt for dark wash jeans. Darker washes are generally more slimming and can help to create a more streamlined appearance.
- Consider wearing shapewear as it can be a great tool for creating a smoother silhouette and reducing bulges. Look for shapewear that is comfortable and fits well, and wear it underneath your jeans for added support.
- Choose the right leg structure by going for neat and streamlined cuts. Tailored seams will give the appearance of a slimmer and longer lower body.
Wearing jeans can be quite tricky for a woman with a big belly because jeans tend to be restrictive due to their denim material. However, with the right pair of jeans, you can absolutely flaunt a flattering look without being too conscious of your big belly.
High-Waisted Jeans
The high-rise waistband of these jeans is like a gentle hug for your midsection. It sits at or above the belly button, providing a sense of security and support that lower-rise jeans just can’t match, and also visually flatten the belly area, creating a more streamlined silhouette.
But it’s not just about practicality and a visually-appealing way of concealing a big belly but also about the fact that high-waisted jeans are incredibly stylish and versatile. They harken back to vintage fashion with their cinched waists and leg-elongating feature.
Stretchy Jeans
Jeans made from stretchy fabrics give a form-fitting hug that helps conceal a big belly. Note that we’re talking about stretchy types of denim here and not those that resemble the thinness and stretchiness of leggings.
The stretchy fabric of these jeans can help to smooth and flatten the belly area, creating a more streamlined silhouette. The spandex content allows the jeans to mold to the body, providing a flattering and comfortable fit.
This can help to hide that stomach bulge you’re so conscious about – in a very subtle way. Pair your stretchy jeans with a nice flowy top and you’re all good to go!
Structured Straight-Leg Jeans
Straight-leg jeans can be a great option for women with a big bellies, as they offer several benefits that can help create a flattering silhouette. Due to its neat structure, the belly becomes less obvious and the proportions of your lower body become more even.
They have a straight cut from the hip to the ankle, which means they don’t cling to the body like skinny jeans or flare out like bootcut jeans. This creates a more balanced and seamless look, which can also totally help draw attention away from the belly area.
Dark Wash Jeans
Dark wash jeans are effective in concealing a big belly because they create an overall slimming effect on the body. It’s already common knowledge that dark colors are able to cut off some of your weight by visually making you look leaner.
This is because dark colors absorb light instead of reflecting it to create a slimming effect on the body. This is because darker colors minimize the appearance of shadows and highlights that draw attention to different areas of the body, including the belly.
If you choose high-waisted dark wash jeans, you can instantly camouflage your big belly so it’ll be much easier to pair them with shorter tops.
Bootcut Jeans
Another great option for women with big bellies would be Bootcut Jeans. It’s because they create a balanced and proportional silhouette that helps to minimize the appearance of the belly.
Bootcut jeans have a slightly flared leg opening that balances out the proportions of the body. The flare at the bottom of the jeans helps to create a more even distribution of volume, which can help to make the belly appear less prominent.
Additionally, many bootcut jeans have a high-rise waistband that sits above the belly button, which can help to smooth out bulges around the waistline. This helps to create a more streamlined silhouette and prevents any “muffin top” or excess belly spillage.
Mid-Rise Jeans
Mid-rise jeans can be a good option for women with big bellies as they provide coverage and support around the waistline. Mid-rise jeans sit just below the belly button, which provides coverage for the belly without causing any discomfort or creating an unflattering bulge.
Mid-rise jeans can also help to create the illusion of a more defined waistline by sitting at the narrowest part of the waist which can be especially helpful to those with shorter torsos as high-waisted jeans may seem awkward for them. This helps to create an hourglass shape, which can help to draw attention away from the belly.
Caution with Light Wash Jeans
As opposed to dark wash jeans, light wash jeans are obviously something you have to avoid when you have a big belly.
You should avoid light wash jeans if you have a big belly because light colors tend to highlight and draw attention to the areas they cover. This means that light wash jeans can make your belly appear more prominent and draw unwanted attention to your midsection.
Light wash jeans reflect light and create a more voluminous appearance. This means that they can make your belly look bigger than it actually is, which can be unflattering.
Avoid Heavily-Embellished Jeans
You should avoid jeans with heavy embellishments like embroidery or big pockets if you have a big belly because these details can add extra bulk to your lower body and draw attention to your belly.
Heavy embellishments draw attention to the area they cover, which means that they can draw attention to your belly. This can be unflattering and make you feel uncomfortable.
They can also disrupt the balance of your body shape, which can make you look disproportionate. This can be especially noticeable if you have a big belly, as the extra bulk can throw off the balance of your silhouette.
Avoid Front Button Enclosures
Jeans with front buttons are jeans that have a row of buttons down the front of the pants instead of a zipper. They can be a stylish and trendy option for many people, but if you have a big belly, you may want to avoid them for a few reasons.
The row of buttons on the front of the jeans can add extra bulk to your midsection, which can make your belly appear larger than it actually is. This can be unflattering and it will definitely make you feel more self-conscious about your big belly.
Also, the buttons on the front of the jeans can add extra pressure to your belly, which can result in belly spillage and unflattering lumps.
Caution with Skinny Jeans
Wearing very tight skinny jeans when you have a big belly is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole – it just doesn’t work! We know how skinny jeans can look really sexy, but if the fit isn’t right, then it’s just a major fashion faux pas.
Very tight skinny jeans can create a silhouette that accentuates your big belly. Instead of creating a smooth and streamlined shape, tight jeans can highlight these bulges around your midsection.
It also draws attention to your belly, which may not be the part of your body you want to highlight. Instead of creating a balanced and proportional look, tight jeans can make your belly appear larger and more prominent.
The Key Takeaway
Wearing the right pair of jeans can make a whole world of a difference and you can totally see how it can help bring the best out of your natural body figure. Having a big belly can definitely be a source of concern, but you can work your way around it by wearing any of these jeans styles I listed especially for you!
