Tummy Troubles

Hasn't everyone wanted a flat, model-thin tummy area at one time or another? I am happy to say though that I have finally conquered by tummy anxieties, and I think you can too! The first step is to work on your mental demons - you know, the ones that keep telling you that you look like some kind of large mammal and that your life won't be complete until you lose those extra 10 pounds. It's time we embrace our curves, ladies! None of us have perfectly flat stomachs, that's just the way we were built (and that includes models and work-out gurus). If you find yourself constantly battling with insecurities then try focusing your mental efforts on how beautiful the other parts of your body are. We are all beautiful in our own unique way.

The next step is to find the clothes that flatter. The real trick is actually where your pants or skirt hit your stomach. To minimize your tummy (no nip or tuck required) find pants/skirts that sit across the widest part of you. "But won't that just put emphasis on the widest part of me?" No, in fact, it divides your widest part in half, which minimizes the trouble area. It also allows your pants to sit flush (flat against) your stomach, so there are no roles or bulges. Go with high-rise pants and you get the unfortunate "tummy bulge", go low-rise and you get the unflattering "tummy roll". This is not because of the way your body is shaped! Your clothing is working against you and creating flaws where there are none. By wearing the correct rise, you may be pleasantly surprised at how good you can look in the clingy sweaters that you used to stay away from like the plague.

Still not merry about your middle-section? Three words: camis and blouses and belts.

1)A simple cami under a sweater or T-shirt helps iron-out those figure flaws, and allows clothing to sit flatter (read flatter stomach). You'll be amazed - definitely try this one.

2)If you have a small tummy bulge, try wearing a medium-width belt loosely over that area. A belt is to the tummy as foundation is to the face!

3)Make sure to try this sure-fire figure flatterer: the blouse. Blouses have more structure than T-shirts and sweaters - your clothes do the work so your body doesn't have to. Look for fitted blouses, which can be identified by "C"-shaped seaming, darting, or pin-tucking. These types of seams work to give you an hour-glass shape, and stand slightly away from the body so you get a nice flat appearance across the tummy. Remember, think fitted, not tight. Many women have trouble finding blouses that fit perfectly off the rack, so make friends with a tailor, and $10-$20 later you'll have a blouse custom-fitted to you!



Other noteworthy tips: Larger mid-sections or chests are de-emphasized by wearing bottoms with some volume: think straight-leg trousers, flared skirts, and slim-fit straight-legged jeans (inside of the super skinny or tapered variety).