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It is a truth universally acknowledged that at some point, all of us will start to notice that we’ve got a little extra around the middle. For many of us, this Mama Roll comes after the arrival of the baby, but for some it appears right around age 40. Either way, even the slimmest of Mamas are most likely struggling to hide the muffin top.
Rest easy, I am here to help.
It’s tempting to rest your Mama Roll on a low-rise waistband, but rather than hiding that little extra around the middle, the low-rise waist actually highlights whatever you’ve got there. A very low waistband creates a shelf for your middle to sit on, leaving everything out on display, which makes that roll look even bigger.
Not the look ANY of us is going for.
Chose trousers and jeans and capris with a sightly higher rise, one that hits no lower than two fingers below the belly button. You don’t need pants that stop just short of your bra, but a waistband that falls close to your actual WAIST will help contain your middle and give you a smoother line.
Buy ONLY pants that actually FIT through the mid-section, without any tugging or squashing. If you put on a pair of pants and can SEE the wee roll rolling over the top, they are too small or too low; take them off and try again. And again and again, if need be.
Look for a wider waistband, which also creates a smooth line across the middle. Avoid slash pockets, which will make your hips look wider. Run run run from anything with pleats.
J. Jill Hannah shirt, $69.00
Pair your mid-rise, flat-front, wide-waistband trousers with slightly longer tops, that hit at the high hip (about four inches past the top of your waistband). Look for tops with a slight A-line shape, or an empire waist, or a wrap shape; the first two styles will skim over your Mama Roll while the wrap will create a waistline and give you curves. Avoid anything that is too baby doll or billowy, unless you are prepared to repeatedly explain that no, the baby is three and you’re not having another, thanks!
Look for tops with an interesting neckline, to draw the eye up away from your middle to your pretty face; put on a funky necklace or some cool earrings or a bright scarf.
This entry was posted on Friday, May 30th, 2008 at 12:14 pm and is filed under basics.
May 31st, 2008 at 2:13 am
OMG i just bought this shirt last night (online), but I am covering more of an entire muffin or 6. I still think it will work.
xo
May 31st, 2008 at 8:08 pm
I’m 4 months out from having a baby and find that my stash of stretchy camisoles from The Limited work wonders on keeping things from looking too roly-poly. It gets entirely too hot in Atlanta for me to wear them under anything but sheer stuff in summer, but they really do slim me down, or at least keep me from pooching out.
I bought a ton of these camis last year in a rainbow of colors — they’re plain enough to wear under anything and if they show they don’t look like lingerie — they just give a pop of color and cover up cleavage a bit.
June 1st, 2008 at 3:55 pm
This is a fantastic post with excellent practical information, Susan. Thank you for sharing this.
June 4th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Ooh, also? A wide belt helps for some reason, too. I honestly don’t exactly understand why, but, much like television, epidurals and my Roomba, I don’t really care WHY, so long as it does.
June 14th, 2008 at 1:46 am
Not only a wide belt but a med- to large belt buckle helps as well. nice info here. Thanx!
June 14th, 2008 at 2:34 am
Thanks for the helpful hints.
The swetheart jean from Old Navy is actually a great fitting jean that ends up exactly where you stated a jean should.
June 14th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
i am so glad people have realized how unflattering the “roll-over short waisted pant/halter top” look is…
August 14th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Nobody thinks that the “”roll-over short waisted pant/halter top”" looks is good, coconuthuni. A lot of people don’t know how to combat it. Or people hide it, like me. My closet consists of unflattering big tee shirts, big hoodies, and then of course soft pants, and 1 pair of jeans that do not fit properly. It’s hard being a woman
September 7th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
HELP…….ANYONE ELSE HAVAE THIS PROBLEM…..EVERY PAIR OF JEANS THAT I BUY SEEM TO END UP ROLLING OVER IN THE WAISTBAND!!! WHENEVER I STAND UP I NEED TO UNFOLD THE WAISTBAND!!! HELP!!