Dressing For When You're Bloated & Still Want To Feel Awesome

May 9

Last week on Instagram [follow me here if you fancy it] I joked about writing a post on dressing for when you're really bloated. I wasn't expecting it to get the response it did so I'm keeping my word. And I think we can all relate to struggling with being bloated and over the years of looking I've swallowed a melon 80% of the day I've learnt there is a certain art to dressing and here are some of my best tips for fellow bloated belly girls.

CONFIDENCE & BLOATING

Body confidence isn't the easiest subject to tackle anyway, we all have our own personal hang-ups and it's a complex journey. When your body starts doing funny things that you can't seem to keep under control then it can really knock your confidence. I know I've felt the strain not only physically but mentally of dealing with being bloated and it can have a really negative effect on how you feel in yourself. Because the thing is with bloating is that it makes your body look a certain way which isn't the reality of how you actually look so it makes connecting to your own body difficult. And when you feel this way it can be pretty lonely and rotten but in reality, you never are alone because we've all probably felt this way from time to time but it can be an awkward topic to bring up.

IF BLOATING IS A BIG PROBLEM TALK TO SOMEONE

I'm sure we all brush health issues under the carpet and deem them not serious enough when talking to someone could be incredibly beneficial. If you're really struggling with bloating and it seems to be absolutely relentless then please go to your local GP and talk to somebody. And of course, it's important to know that being bloated and just eating a big meal aren't the same thing but it's easy to get the two confused as it's been drilled into us by society that our stomachs must constantly lay flat and they don't. They fluctuate constantly and go up and down but when your stomach constantly feels rigid and tender that's when things might be more serious.

THE CLOTHES

PICK YOUR JEANS WISELY

For years, I didn't wear jeans because it was just too painful and I hated feeling uncomfortable constantly. But I have discovered that you can wear jeans if you struggle with bloating you just have to be careful with what you pick and maybe super skinny jeans aren't the best option. If I do go skinny I always go for the Topshop Joni, Leigh or the Jamie as they're so stretchy that it allows room for your stomach to fluctuate without feeling like you're going to be cut in half. As of right now, I'm favouring the boyfriend jean which is a lot looser around the stomach area and just generally a more relaxed fit so much more comfortable. Jeans can be really tricky to style when you're struggling with bloating but it doesn't mean you have to ditch them completely.

spanX aren't your friend

It's really tempting to buy things that are high waisted and promise to suck you in but I've found that those pieces can be incredibly problematic. When you're really bloated your stomach area isn't soft, it's usually rock hard and trying to push that down and put a lot of pressure on it can lead to agonising pain. If you're going to go high waisted make sure it's stretchy and not something that's going to be restrictive.

DITCH THE UNDERWIRE

Something that I never thought would be an issue because of bloating is wearing an underwired bra. And let's be honest having wire pressing down on you for 12 hours a day is never going to be that comfortable but in combination with bloating it's horrible. I switched to triangle bras years ago as not only are they so much more comfortable but when I am particularly bloated I find them to be much easier on my body. Like I said, it's not an obvious move but it's something that has worked so well for me.

THE LOOSER THE BOTTOMS THE BETTER

I'm not a lover of anything form-fitting anyway even though I am partial to a skinny jean I tend to wear quite loose items. Not only are they much more comfortable to wear and I'm sure we've all had that joyous moment when we've put on a floaty dress and just felt so free. When things are a little looser it helps you feel a little better too, feeling self-conscious and restricted in a body binding outfit isn't the nicest when your body is going through a tough time. I tend to go looser on my bottoms with items like a midi skirt and then a little more fitted on top to balance things out. And of course, dresses are your best friend.

MY FAVOURITE STYLE PIECES FOR BOOSTING CONFIDENCE WHEN DEALING WITH BLOATING

THE MIDI SKIRT

Perfect for dressing up a little more but still wanting to be comfortable.

TOPSHOP JAMIE JEANS

A highwaisted jean that looks and feels like traditional denim but offers some stretch.

GREY SWEATSHIRT

Anything that is baggy goes perfectly with skinny jeans whilst still allowing you to feel comfortable.

LEATHER LEGGINGS

Leggings are always a safe bet and faux leather is a great way to smarten up an otherwise very casual piece.

OXFORD SHIRT

Typically shirts are a very fitted piece but the Oxford style is more casual and a looser fit.

SMOCK DRESS

Any type of dress as long as it isn't bodycon is great option but the smock dress is absolutely perfect for allowing your tender tummy room to breathe.

Do you have any tips for dressing whilst dealing with bloating?