If there is one thing I’ve learned in my 17 years as a personal stylist, it’s that women in their second act are some of the most fabulous people on the planet. But there is also a common thread that unites so many of us when we hit midlife: the sudden, baffling arrival of the midlife tummy.
My daily mission is to help midlife women discover their style and reignite their confidence. I hear from women constantly who are navigating this new, sometimes frustrating territory.
One lovely follower recently commented, “It’s so hard when your body changes even though we do all the things we have always done and what we are told to do.” Another shared a similar struggle: “This is what I need help with now after having my boys. I don’t know how to hide my tummy now and I have never had to think about that before.”
If you are nodding along right now, I need you to hear this: you are definitely not alone. And more importantly? I am right there in the trenches with you!
I may be a personal stylist, but I am also a midlife woman who understands.
For most of my life, my tummy wasn’t an area I really had to think about when getting dressed. At 5ft 3, I’ve always naturally held my weight in the lower part of my body, around my bottom and hips. That was my baseline.
But since the whole midlife and menopause journey started, things have shifted! The weight has generally started to collect around my stomach area, and I’ve ended up with a little bloated tummy that – no matter what I do – is just not going anywhere.
© Helen RichardsonMy proportions have completely shifted and, like so many of the women I work with, I’m learning to dress a slightly different body. And yes, even as a personal stylist, I’ve had to adjust.
When our bodies change, the knee-jerk reaction for many of us is to hide. We retreat into oversized tops, dark colours, and shapeless dresses, hoping to camouflage the areas we feel insecure about. We avoid the clothes we once loved because we aren't sure what suits us anymore.
© Helen RichardsonBut here is my philosophy: It’s not about hiding my tummy. It’s about understanding my body as it is now and knowing how to dress it in a way that makes ME feel good! Sometimes, I just need to wear or style them a little differently.
6 simple styling tweaks that change everything
So, how do we actually do that? This is where knowing some simple styling tricks can make SUCH a profound difference to your wardrobe. You don't need to throw everything out; you just need a new approach. Here are my top tweaks for styling a midlife tummy without sacrificing an ounce of style.
1. Watch where the top finishes
Something as simple as changing where a hemline hits can completely transform an outfit. If a top cuts right across the widest part of your tummy, it acts like a neon sign pointing straight to it. Look for tops that finish just above or just below the tummy to elongate your silhouette.
© Getty Images2. Add a little waist definition
'Defining the waist' doesn't mean squeezing into a restrictive belt. It can mean trying a subtle front tuck (the French tuck!), wearing a tailored jacket left open to create vertical lines, or choosing a dress with clever ruching. It’s about creating shape so you aren't lost in a sea of fabric.
And here’s a reality check I share with almost every client I work with: so many women who feel self-conscious about their midsection say to me, "But Helen, look at my tummy from the side!" And yes, from the side, our tummies will naturally look a bit more pronounced - that’s just human anatomy! But when we interact with the world, we talk to people face-to-face. From the front, those gentle waist-defining tweaks create balance, proportion, and structure. Nobody is walking around with a clipboard inspecting your side profile, so stop judging yourself from the side mirror!
© Getty Images3. Adjust your proportions
Balance is everything. If you are wearing a looser, flowing blouse to skim over your middle, pair it with a slimmer trouser or a straight-leg jean. Conversely, if you're wearing a trendy wide-leg trouser, try a slightly more fitted - but not tight - top to balance the volume.
© Getty Images4. Choose the right fabric
This is a game-changer. Look for fabrics that skim rather than cling. A structured cotton, a beautiful drape, or a high-quality crepe will glide over your curves beautifully. Thin, flimsy jerseys that grab at every lump and bump? Leave them on the rail.
© Getty Images5. Try the next size up
Sizing up is just not an issue for me anymore. I know we can get overly attached to the number on the label. But simply trying the next size up can completely change how an outfit looks and, more importantly, how you feel wearing it. Clothes are meant to fit you, not the other way around. Cut the label out if you have to!
© Getty Images6. Draw the eye upward with accessories
I’ve always loved accessories, but in midlife, they become your ultimate secret weapon. A striking necklace, a pop of bright lipstick, vibrant scarves, or eye-catching earrings act as a natural focal point, drawing attention straight up to your gorgeous face (and away from your tummy). It's clever, effortless, and adds instant personality.
© Getty ImagesUltimately, it's about embracing the body you have right now
Do I love every change that’s come with midlife? No, I’m human. It can be frustrating when your favourite jeans suddenly won't zip. But I am trying very hard not to look backwards and wish for the body I had 10 or 20 years ago. That body did its job, and this body is taking me into a fabulous new chapter.
© Helen RichardsonBecause having the right clothes, and knowing the power of styling tweaks, can really give you the confidence to dress and enjoy the body you have now. As our bodies evolve, our style needs to evolve with them.
Follow Helen on Instagram @helenrichardsonstylist.
