A lot of women experience weight fluctuations throughout their lives. Hormonal changes brought on by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause all have an impact on how much a woman weighs. Periods of illness, taking medication, changes in their activities, and stress can also contribute to gaining or losing weight.
Although all bodies are beautiful regardless of shape and size, the physical effects of fluctuating weight can make it more challenging for women to maintain a wardrobe filled with clothes that will always suit them comfortably. Updating an entire closet with every weight change would be expensive and time-consuming, so it’s important to find practical ways to build a collection of clothes that can accommodate bodily changes. Fortunately, there are many fashionable options available. If you struggle to find pieces that will fit you, read on to find out what garments you should invest in and how to style them according to the present needs of your body.
Get Leggings That Stretch with Your Body
One clothing item that you can rely on to always fit you is a pair of leggings. These stretchy pants have become a staple garment for many women both for workout gear as well as everyday wear. Thanks to the elastane materials, leggings will fit just right on your waist and legs. Even if you slim down, your favorite pair won’t have a hard time staying up since they can comfortably wrap around your legs.
In addition to the comfy fit, leggings are very easy to style and go with many different tops. You can wear them with a looser and longer blouse or layer them under a dress when the weather is too cold to expose your bare legs. You can also pair leggings with longer tunics, button-down shirts, and sweaters. Thicker leggings are opaque enough to wear like regular pants, and you can also search for where to buy jean leggings in case you want a denim look. Then, complete the outfit with any boot style like ankle booties or knee-high ones.
Look for Clothes with Elastic Waist Bands
Apart from the stretchable material that most leggings offer, make sure to choose clothes with elastic waistbands. Whether in pants, skirts, or dresses, having elastic waists allow you to wear these garments comfortably even when your weight shifts. Also, you can wear these pieces higher or lower on your waist depending on the look you’re creating.
If your weight settles on your midsection, you can wear a skirt with a stretchable waist higher on your torso for a more flattering look. Since the skirt will sit at the narrowest part of your stomach, it helps draw attention away from your belly. When the bloating disappears or you lose a pound or two, you can still fit in the same skirt and choose to wear it lower on your hips, if you prefer.
Similarly, get pants with elastic waists or drawstrings that you can easily adjust when your weight fluctuates. These kinds of pants are typically roomier around the hips and legs than fitted trousers, so they also feel more comfortable to wear and won’t impede your movement.
Select Pieces That Complement Your Body
Part of building a flexible wardrobe is figuring out how to dress when your weight shifts. Since each body changes differently, you may need to apply different techniques when it comes to styling your clothes. For example, if you tend to gain more weight at the bottom part of your body like your thighs or legs, you need to get clothes that loosen below your waist. This means wearing A-line skirts, flare dresses, and wide-leg pants. These styles are fitted at the hips and gradually widen toward the hem, which helps to conceal the lower parts of your body. Also, such garments are classics and look fashionable all year long.
In case you often notice your belly expanding as a result of the weight shift, opt for shift dresses and tunics. They can effectively hide bulges by creating a straight silhouette. Also, avoid wearing belts and tucked tops so you don’t call attention to your midsection.
Top-heavy women should choose pieces that define the shape above the waist. Wear wrap-style blouses and dresses to help sculpt your body to a more flattering figure and balance your proportions. These wrap styles also often feature a V neckline that can make your torso appear longer. Additionally, most wrap-style clothes have an adjustable tie waist to let you expand or retract it to suit your body’s changes.
Wear a Monochromatic Outfit
If you want to create the illusion of a slimmer silhouette, wearing a monochromatic outfit is the way to go. Selecting one color from head to toe allows the eye to move vertically, thus creating a sleeker appearance. While you’ll be working with a single color theme, this doesn’t mean you can’t make it interesting or fun. You can incorporate different textures like silk, cotton, and velvet to make each garment more distinct. You can also add more structure to your outfit by choosing tailored pieces like blazers and vests.
Invest in Quality Bras and Underwear
Another useful style tip is to invest in bras and underwear that make you look and feel good. Choose soft and comfortable materials that won’t restrict your movement even if your weight fluctuates. It may be best to shop for these garments when you feel your heaviest so that you can be sure that they will still fit you even when you gain weight.
When it comes to your underwear, choose seamless undies and designs without a visible panty line so the garment doesn’t cut into your body. Also, get bras in different ranges to help you cope with any breast swelling, which is a common premenstrual symptom. Larger boobs can make you prone to side spillage and back lumps if your bra is too tight. Keep yourself comfortable and your bra snug by buying bras at your regular size and getting a pair or two for when your breasts feel bigger. You can also experiment with different bra styles to ensure that you get the support you need even if your weight shifts.
Weight fluctuation is common and any woman can experience it in different stages of her life. However, these constant bodily changes shouldn’t stop you from enjoying fashion. By paying attention to how your body changes and choosing versatile wardrobe pieces, you can build a wardrobe that allows you to stay stylish no matter how much you weigh.
My weight always fluctuates and so I am so thankful for jeggings and leggings. Jeans and smart trousers are a pain. Also most of my skirts are elasticated to allow room for my waistline to go and down
Yes, stretchy leggings are such a blessing for comfort and fluctuating weight. What did we ll do before leggings? They are my wardrobe staple.
My weight fluctuates a lot so most of my trousers are black as that seems to disguise it the best!
Leggings and elsticacated waistbands are a godsend – thanks for your ideas