I’m a big fan of items that define my waist because I have an hourglass figure.
Lately though I’ve found myself drawn to outfits with less waist definition and a higher level of comfort.
This may have something to do with the stubborn extra weight that I cannot for the life of me seem to budge.
Last week I stopped eating every day at 6 pm and I reduced my food intake. Yesterday I was all pumped to jump on the scale. That is until I realized my scale is on a mission to destroy my soul.
The flippin’ numbers moved UP by a pound!!!
WTF???
No fair!
This is BS!!!
Nevermind.
I’m learning to cope with my new reality with outfits that are comfortable yet remain true to my sense of style.
This dress is the perfect example. A bias cut floral midi dress by Wilfred.
Melanie joked with me when I was bragging about the dress label being “Wilfred” she said hers are by James. Ha!
Wilfred is a higher end label found while thrift shopping with Melanie and Sue at Talize. There was a massive rip down one side seam which Sue graciously sewed up for me with her serger. Hooray for friends that know how to sew!
The dress is 100% silk and truly feels like wearing a nightgown.
It avoids the whole “wearing a bag” issue as it manages to skim my curves. You can still see I have a waist which is important when you have boobs otherwise you look like you weigh an extra 47 lbs instead of an extra 7.
6 Tips Dress For Comfort Without Surrendering Style
1. Stretchy Dresses & Body Skimming Shift Dresses
Stretchy dresses are your friend. No pinching or sucking in required.
Shift dresses that skim the body like the Wilfred one I started this post with are even easier to wear.
The two shift dresses below are for sale in my Etsy store.
2. Patterns
Pattern confuses the eyes so we can no longer distinguish concave from convex. You can get away with more.
3. Maxi Dresses
Maxi dresses are a personal favourite of mine for comfort.
Choose ones with empire waists or elastic waists if you still want some kind of waist definition.
Again you can see that the bold patterns are pretty darn good at disguising food babies.
4. Stretch Jeans
Stretch jeans are the only kind of jeans I will wear when I’ve gained some weight. Everything else is uncomfortable.
My favourite stretch jeans have an elastic waist. Yes…that is precariously close to being yoga pants, me no care.
5. Tunic Style Tops
Of course tunic style tops cover a multitude of sins (banana chocolate espresso scones I’m lookin’ at you!)
And if you’re wearing an elastic waist it’ll cover that too.
6. High Waists, Elastic Waists And Wrap Waists
I have a few fit and flare dresses that have elastic waists that are still comfortable despite carrying extra weight.
High waists are brilliant. The faux waist hits well above the belly and emphasizes the thinnest part on most people, just below the chest.
All the dresses below happen to be Karina Dresses, one of my all time favourites for style with comfort.
Both of these skirts below have elastic waists. I wore the pink one in this awesome thrifting video Melanie and Sue and I made…I’ll have more on that in another post.
What do you usually wear when you want to be comfortable without looking like you just came back from yoga?
Linking up with Visible Monday Hat Attack
I love those vintage prints on you! I wear, as you suggested, empire waist dresses in comfy fabrics and shoes with cork heels!
xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/blog/
I wish they made more shoes with cork heels. I love them too.
Yes, when I do find, them, I buy multiples!! 🙂
xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/blog/
OH…I’m so glad you decided to get that dress! You look gorgeous wearing it!
Your scale must be related to mine…it’s seriously messing with me. Anyways, thanks for the tips on dressing leaner!
It’s a damn scale conspiracy!
That silk dress is just gorgeous! These are great tips for comfortable yet totally chic dressing. I LOVE stretch jeans, and want to kiss whoever invented them. And I agree with you about Karina dresses – they are always easy to wear. Thanks for linking up, xox
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I’ve just decided to ignore the scale entirely lately, Suzanne!! Looking good has no relevance to numbers …so says me!!!
And none of us readers would be any wiser to your weight ups or downs….you always look so fabulous and colorful!!
Although the other trick would be to carry Zoe around with you– she takes all the attention off you !!!
Jodie
Ha ha! I love the Zoë carrying idea! Zoë would love it even more. She is such a diva! Problem is she weighs 20 lbs and I think that might be too much for me. I need a baby pug : ) Yep.
fabulous tips. I especially like #2 and your explanation of patterns confusing the eye as only an artist would. And Jodie may be onto something with her idea about carrying around Zoe. After all, may be that’s why starlets and socialites always seem to be toting a small dog. Not that you even need it … you look fantastic.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
I just need Zoë to the weigh the same amount as a toy Chihuahua.
That might be the very reason I love patterns so much. I can get away with more.
Aritzia carries a nice line of clothing called “Wilfred.” Might your dress be one of theirs? I ignore the scale as much as I can. Mostly because I’m terrified of messing with my metabolism. It seems that no matter how much I exercise, and how healthy I eat every few years I go up a few pounds. Last time I went on a concerted effort to lose five pounds…I lost seven over a few months and gained it all back and more over the following year… despite my efforts. I’m beginning to agree with all those experts who say that long term weight loss is a mugg’s game.
Maybe that is where the line is from. Thanks! I didn’t know it until about a year ago when some stores started popping up. I rarely shop retail so I’m really out of the loop.
I’ve heard about people having that yo-yo problem after dieting and then being left heavier than when they started out.
In the past I would have just ran more to lose some weight but since I’ve had this pinched nerve in my neck due to disc loss any kind of running makes it much worse.
Whenever I get sick like this I realize that exercising is a privilege, not a right.
This collection makes my head spin with joy, so many beautiful dress and great tips
You always look fabulous! I’ve about had it with the whole weight/menopause/this is 50 thing. I’ve lost a few pounds but could definitely use to lose a lot more!
Yes, I was warned about the dreaded over 50 weight gain. I was hoping it was all just hyperbole.
Because of you I have been scouring the Karina website to find something I can’t live without. So far, I’ve been able to keep from temptation–none of the patterns are calling my name yet. But it’s only a matter of time. Seeing you model your dresses and knowing how well they travel, thanks to you, it makes me want to get a sleeveless one so I can layer it like you do. Such a great way to stay chic and warm during transitional seasons like now.
Oh, and one more thing: Scales lie. I’m pretty sure they are all possessed with little mischievous demons who love nothing more than to tear our spirits to shreds. You could try stomping on the scale to rid it of your demon but it will just mock you by showing a higher number. My advice–avoid the scale demons and dress the way you do in these pictures. You look amazing.
Hugs,
Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com
Yes I wore a couple of Karina dresses when I stayed with you. They are ideal for travel. Fingers crossed they will have some new patterns for summer. I think you would love them.
My mouth is still refusing to close after seeing my two favourites here, those two boldly printed maxis. Your tips are very useful, and some of them I’m already applying. Suddenly, there are some dresses I used to wear which make me feel really uncomfortable now. The last six months have been somewhat of an emotional roller coaster for me, and yes, then there was winter, which makes me grab for the sweet stuff, and it seems I got to an age where surplus weight doesn’t shift so easily. I don’t even own scales, as I know they are out for your soul and piece of mind … xxx
I didn’t own scales for years. Then my weight magically creeped up by 25 lbs! Well that was partially due to training to be a chef but since then I do try to keep more of a watchful eye on the weight. I know that emotional times wreak havoc on our weight.
Those two wild printed vintage maxis make my knees go weak (but I suspect you knew that already!)
You look absolutely stunning in all your outfits, your figure is killer and you are gorgeous.
xxx
as a huge fan of confort, I’ve enjoyed your post particularly!, and you look so gorgeous in every outfit!, I love all those patterns, tunics, high waists and maxi dresses, they’re fabulous!! (I would like to copy&paste all of them on myself). Most of my pants are so comfy than pyjama pants (elastic waists are the best thing ever!), and I love almost any loose-fitting pants in bold prints (but not all of them are flattering!)
My favorite trick is wearing a bolero/short jacket over my dresses, to add some definition and a ‘fake waist’. I was used to be a hour-glass (a big one, but still very hour-glassy!) but I’m assuming that my waist is not going to be the same anymore, even if I’m losing some weight nowadays.
besos & suerte
I love the idea of copy and pasting outfits on ourselves!!! They need an app for that.
I also have tried that bolero trick and it works well. Plus it makes my legs look longer.
Wonderful tips, and fabulous outfits! Yes, the extra weight that just refuses to budge… I tortured myself in the gym today because of that, but I refuse even consider a diet that doesn’t contain chocolate and wine (I mean, really, what would there be left to live for??). So, comfortable outfits, that’s the future. But we’ll call it ‘trendy’, it sounds so much cooler…
Ah yes…it is all about how you “spin” it ; )
I thought I was going to die when I found out I was allergic to alcohol. My champagne and vodka martinis were a big love of mine. Now though I’ve adapted. If they tell me I’m allergic to chocolate though the fight will be on!
Some great ideas. I reach for a-line dresses and leggings for comfy days. Or work a pyjama look like Miss Fisher! I try not to buy elastic waists though, fixed ones keep me in check better!!
I agree. When I’d put on quite a bit of weight I was living in yoga pants. Too much stretchy fabric and we become complacent.
Love those maxis! My broken foot last fall really messed up my workout schedule and I’m still making the fruitless attempt to lose the extra pounds I put on. Sure isn’t as easy as it used to be. Of course my daily (required) dose of red wine and chocolate probably isn’t helping.
Comfy looks for me are leggings or stretch skinny jeans with really long tunic tops. Long enough to hide every single bulge! I also like bias cut dresses for giving waist definition and smoothing out the silhouette. And, my fav, elastic waist palazzo style pants from the 70s. Just like wearing pajamas except you can dress them up for a night out.
I have recently purchased a few stretch jeans with elastic waist to dress up my tunic style tops! May have to reconsider patterns … to confuse the eye….
Thank you for the tips….. you look great as always!
Patterns are definately one of my favourite secret weapons.
🙂 Dear Suzanne,
oh, the weight issue…sounds familiar!
I changed my food intake on 1st January for three weeks 😉 The first week I lost 1,5 kg and after that NOTHING happened. After that I thought what the heck.
Now I’ve reduced eating chocolates and sweets (which I could eat all the time) and that’s helping a bit.
But I guess that’s life and a matter of looking for the right clothes.
You’re a hugs help in this field.
Big hugs xo 🙂
Radness. Yeah, I cannot say enough good things about oversized, flowy garments. They’re a dream to wear. Super comfy. I love tent dresses, especially for this reason. Also, the floral maxi dress with the bright pink hat and boots = magnifique! <3
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
Good advice. It’s funny but when wearing men’s clothes, I never worried about my weight or shape and now when I wear women’s clothes, I fret about my large torso and the few pounds I added over Winter. Dresses, etc. are often unforgiving. Your tips are helpful.
You really do find some of the MOST gorgeous print dresses and you wear them so well Suzanne! The way you emphasize the bright fuscia in the silk dress with boots and hat is genius.
I think you’re absolutely right regarding the danger of becoming complacent after a winter of wearing Yoga pant.
So many fun and wonderful prints, hats, and shoes in this post! I love them all and comfortable yet stylish pieces are so easy to wear all day. Thank you for sharing your wonderful style with Hat Attack!
Your excellent tips and photos boggle the mind, Suzanne. again, those couch photos. Niiiice. I’m glad Sue was able to stitch those breaks, the silk is wonderful. Now I see that label everywhere. Hahaha. But not James. Why? It’s been a brutal winter for us all. I haven’t stepped on a scale in years, and this is definitely not a good time to start.
I have a love/hate relationship with my bathroom scales Suzanne. I love when they say nice things to me and hate when they get a bit too honest! Since I turned 50 weight does want to hang about my tummy and thighs no matter what I do to discourage it. Ho hum.
Your disguising tips are ace, particularly the bias cut and patterns to trick the eye. Maybe we need to give up being slaves to the scales? I think you’re lucky to be hourglass shaped because at least it keeps looking the same regardless of the couple of extra pounds. And if you need definition then you can always add a belt. Am giving you your own advice now, eh? Hahaha!
Anna x
Love the tips Suzanne and you know I am a fan of Karina dresses. I prefer dresses over pants as I just find them more comfortable. Your new floral silk find looks amazing on you! I am all about clothes that feel like you are wearing a nightgown. That is my goal most of the time! I love you in the Karina dresses, the blue print and the long green print is so fantastic on you, great color.
Have a great week!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
The midlife weight struggle is all to real for me too. Sigh…
Tunic tops are my new BFF.
I never ever had a belly. Until about eighteen months ago! When menopause started I had one from one day to the other! I now don’t like to wear pencil skirts anymore. But what I love to wear are scuba dresses and skirts. They are very flattering. Your tips are very useful. And your thrifted pieces are stunning!
Great post. My favourites are the print dress on the left (pink swirl pattern) and the black top with tassle necklace (of your own making I am sure) jeans and those awesome boots. Although the flower tunic next to it is very good too.
I wear something very loose around my waist and tummy when I have gained weight or am about to go put to dinner. No belt and a big top to cover things.
Greetje
I wish I could say that the “over 50 weight gain” was a myth, but it’s hit me, and I’ve been very thin my entire life. Apparently, it’s “menopause-related”! Now my waist seems to be expanding at an astonishing rate, and I wear more and more loose-fitting, or body-skimming clothing rather than fitted stuff. You have an enviable collection of colourful maxi dresses, which I couldn’t wear, as I currently have no defined waist, but I do love the black/pink/white print one.