A wedding day is a significant and memorable event in a woman’s life. Every bride wants to look and feel her absolute best as she walks down the aisle. However, not every bride feels confident about her body, especially when it comes to her midsection.
Whether a bride is pregnant, hasn't reached her ideal weight, or is simply self-conscious about her belly, choosing the right wedding dress can make a huge difference. In this guide, we will cover practical tips and strategies to help brides hide their belly and enhance their best features, allowing them to enjoy their big day feeling confident and beautiful.
Let’s get straight to the point
Every bride wants to feel confident and beautiful on her wedding day, but some may be self-conscious about their midsection. To help conceal a belly, focus on wearing the right undergarments like shapewear, choosing lightweight and flowy fabrics such as chiffon, and selecting dress styles like A-line or empire waist that flatter the body.
Avoid tight-fitting or heavy fabrics like satin, and use accessories, necklines, and belts to draw attention away from the midsection. Maintaining good posture and trying different dress styles will further help brides look and feel their best.
Start with the Right Undergarments
Wearing the correct undergarments is one of the simplest ways to create a smoother silhouette. Shapewear has become a popular option for brides who want to conceal their midsection.
- Shapewear Options: Elastic shapewear can help flatten the waist and sides, while redistributing weight around the thighs.
- Maternity Shapewear: If you are in the early stages of pregnancy, consider maternity shapewear like belly bands. These garments offer support while helping to conceal your growing bump.
By wearing the right foundation pieces, you’ll create a solid base for your dress, making it easier to achieve a flattering look.
Choose Fabrics Wisely
The type of fabric used for your wedding dress plays a crucial role in how it will fit and flatter your figure. Heavier materials tend to cling to the body and may highlight areas you’d prefer to downplay, such as the midsection.
- Avoid Heavy Fabrics: Materials like taffeta and satin tend to cling and may make the waistline more prominent. They can also cause you to sweat, especially during outdoor or summer weddings.
- Opt for Lightweight Fabrics: Choose fabrics like chiffon and tulle, which are more forgiving. These flowy materials drape over the body without clinging, making them ideal for hiding any problem areas.
Lightweight fabrics not only provide comfort but also add elegance and movement to your dress.
Focus on the Dress Cut
The cut and style of your wedding dress are key to how your body will be perceived. Some styles are designed to emphasize the waist, while others help to create a more balanced look.
- Avoid Sheath and Mermaid Styles: While these styles can be stunning, they tend to hug the body closely and may emphasize the tummy. Brides looking to conceal their midsection should avoid these cuts.
- Choose A-Line or Ball Gowns: These silhouettes are perfect for disguising a larger tummy. A-line dresses are fitted at the top and flow out from the waist, creating a beautiful shape without drawing attention to the stomach. Ball gowns also feature a fuller skirt, which helps to balance the body and shift focus away from the midsection.
Empire Waistline Dresses
Empire waist dresses feature a fitted bodice that ends just below the bust, allowing the fabric to flow over the stomach. This style is especially flattering for brides who want to downplay their belly while still looking elegant.
- For Expecting Brides: This style is perfect for expectant mothers, as it provides plenty of room in the midsection while highlighting the bust and shoulders.
Angular Lower Waist Dresses
Another option is a dress with an angular lower waist, which is fitted through the hips and flares out at the bottom. This creates the illusion of a slimmer waist while adding elegance to your overall look.
Use Accessories to Distract from the Belly
Accessories can work wonders when it comes to drawing attention away from areas you’d rather not emphasize. Choosing the right accessories can shift the focus to other parts of your body, such as your neckline, shoulders, or hair.
- Statement Jewelry: Bold earrings, necklaces, or hair accessories can naturally draw attention upward, away from the midsection.
- Belts and Sashes: A well-placed belt can cinch in the waist, creating a more defined silhouette. Just be sure that the belt isn’t too tight, which could draw attention to the belly.
- Dresses with Details: Look for wedding dresses with embellishments like lace, sequins, or ruffles on the upper part of the dress. These details help direct the eye away from the stomach and towards your best features.
Selecting the Right Neckline
The neckline of your dress can also play a significant role in drawing attention away from your belly. By highlighting the shoulders and collarbone, you can create a balanced look that emphasizes your upper body.
- Off-the-Shoulder and Sweetheart Necklines: These styles highlight the shoulders and chest, making them perfect for brides looking to minimize attention on their midsection.
- V-Necks and Boat Necklines: These necklines elongate the body and create the illusion of height, which can help slim the overall figure.
Wear a Properly Fitted Corset or Spanx
While shapewear can help smooth out your silhouette, the key is choosing the right type that fits comfortably and effectively.
- Corsets: Wearing a corset under your wedding dress can help cinch the waist and create a flattering hourglass shape. However, corsets can add bulk, so it’s important to try your dress with the corset before making any final decisions.
- Spanx: Spanx or other tummy-control underwear can provide a smoother look under your dress. Make sure you choose a pair that fits well and doesn’t cause discomfort, as you’ll likely be wearing it for several hours.
Avoid Stretchy Lace and Satin
Certain fabrics should be avoided if you’re trying to conceal a belly.
- Satin: This fabric is notorious for highlighting every curve and imperfection, making it a poor choice for brides looking to downplay their midsection.
- Stretchy Lace: Stretchy lace can cling to the body, which might emphasize areas you’re trying to minimize.
Instead, choose fabrics that flow gently over the body and do not cling to the stomach.
Maintain Good Posture
One of the easiest ways to instantly look slimmer is by improving your posture. Standing up straight can make a huge difference in how your dress fits and how your body appears.
- Keep Your Shoulders Back: By pulling your shoulders back and engaging your core, you’ll naturally create a more flattering silhouette.
- Practice Standing Tall: Not only does good posture improve your appearance, but it also boosts your confidence, which will shine through in your wedding photos.
Try Different Dress Styles
If you're still unsure of which style will work best for you, try on several different dresses to see which one flatters your body the most. You may be surprised by how certain styles look once you see them in person.
- A-Line Gowns: These are often the safest bet for concealing a larger tummy while still providing a classic bridal look.
- Empire Waist: This style is another excellent option, especially for brides who are pregnant or have a pear-shaped figure.
Additional Tips for Hiding a Belly
- Patterned Fabrics: Dresses with small, subtle patterns can be more forgiving than solid colors. Floral designs, in particular, can help distract the eye from the midsection.
- Ruching: Dresses with ruching around the waist can help disguise a belly, as the fabric creates texture and movement.
- Puffy Sleeves and Long Trains: Adding volume to other areas of your dress, such as the sleeves or the train, can help balance your figure and draw attention away from the stomach.
Conclusion
Every bride deserves to feel confident and beautiful on her wedding day, regardless of her body shape. By choosing the right dress style, fabric, and accessories, you can hide your belly and highlight your best features. Remember, the key is to focus on what makes you feel comfortable and beautiful.
Whether you opt for an A-line gown, an empire waist dress, or one with strategic accessories, the most important thing is that you feel like the best version of yourself as you say "I do." With these tips, you’ll be able to choose a wedding dress that flatters your figure and allows you to enjoy your special day with confidence.
FAQs About Weddings
Underwear that's too small or big can create bulges or folds that you can see through your dress. You can also wear high-waisted underwear to tuck your belly in a bit. Or, wear shapewear, like control-top hose or a girdle, under your dress to smooth out your body shape.
Empire line: When it comes to hiding your stomach, empire line styles are always a good bet. Drawing the eye to the smallest part of your torso by nipping you in directly under the bust, they give the illusion of a higher waistline. The rest of the dress should have a flared or A-line fit that floats over the stomach.
Opt for a dress or bottom that has both an elastic waistband and a wide or loose silhouette from the waist down. This will provide your waist with some definition, keep you comfortable, and avoid highlighting your bloated stomach.
How early, and how often should you exercise? Shoot for five training days per week, and begin about three months before your wedding day.
The best option is to go with the fabric mesh when buying a corset to wear under your wedding dress. The mesh fabric is super thin and will easily conceal with the dress. But apart from this, you can also go for other options depending upon the dress you have.