5 Clever Color Tricks To Hide Your Midlife Tummy

Call it a jelly belly, muffin top, or men-o-pot; your midlife tummy can be a pain to hide!

The good news is that if you want to minimize this troublesome area, COLOR can be your friend. Here are three ways to wear color strategically to look slim and trim.

1. Say Hello to Dark Hues

Dark colors, like navy, black, burgundy, eggplant, forest green, and charcoal, are your best friends when creating that optical illusion of a flatter tummy.

These dark shades naturally create shadows, making your midsection visually recede and appear slimmer. Opt for dresses, tops, or pants in these rich hues to instantly hide your midlife tummy and look stylish.

2. Monochromatic is Magic

Monochromatic outfits are the unsung heroes of midlife tummy camouflage. Wearing a single color from head to toe creates an uninterrupted vertical line that draws the eye up and down and makes you appear elegant and elongated. It’s like hitting the refresh button on your figure and one of my favorite ways to dress.

So, choose a single color palette and rock it with confidence! Feel free to combine slightly varying shades and textures to give your outfit a little more dimension and excitement. For example, wear a silky burgundy blouse with luxurious burgundy velvet jeans and a fuzzy burgundy sweater.

3. Add a Pop of Color Up Top

If you’re not into wearing color from top to bottom, try wearing a dark-colored pair of pants or skirt and add a pop of color to your top half. A bright top or a light blouse paired with dark bottoms will draw attention towards your face and away from your midsection. It’s a simple, clever style hack to balance your figure.

You can also wear a color-blocked dress where dark colors appear across the tummy and visually shrink this area. For example, this floral dress above is bright up top and dark across the stomach. The knit dress is also light up top and dark across the tummy. In both cases, the eye is drawn to light and bright colors, not dark black.

But if the colors were reversed ( black on top and white and blue on the bottom), everyone’s eyes would go to the bottom half,  which you don’t want.

4. Create a Slimming Column of Color

Here’s a dressing trick that’s a Hollywood favorite. Wear a dark color like black or brown head to toe to create a solid block of color and downplay your tummy.

Then, slip on a colorful jacket or cardigan to give a pop of color to your face. Leave your topper open to expose your long, dark column of color. I promise no one will notice your tummy. Dark colors recede, while light, bright colors advance. Your topper, not your tummy, will wind up front and center!

print top

5. Prints Camouflage a Pooch!

Prints can be your best allies when trying to disguise your midlife belly. Opt for small, intricate patterns like polka dots, houndstooth, or subtle florals. These prints distract by keeping the eye continually moving. They draw the attention away from your midlife belly and add a touch of fun to your outfit, too!

What to Avoid?

I’ve talked a lot about what to do, but it also might be helpful to compare this to what to avoid or be careful with. A busy mix of contrasting colors and patterns can slice up your body.

These two outfits (above)  combine three different colors, which break up the body, making it look shorter and broader. Compare these two outfits to the other outfits I showed you earlier. Please don’t think you can’t ever wear three colors, but when you want a slim look, you may want to try one of my tricks.

When used right, color is a powerful style tool that does a fantastic job camouflaging your midlife tummy! Now try it yourself and post a photo in my private Facebook Group- The Fabulous After 40 Dressing Room!