Same body type here! I carry all my weight in my belly and thighs and have no butt or chest. I look for mid-rise pants with 8-9 inch rise and slim fit with a loose ankle. The pants are tighter fitting over my butt but looser in the lower leg. I prefer flats or a shoe with a slight block heel, and I feel like showing a little bit of ankle makes me look taller and slimmer. My favorite shirts are silk or linen short sleeved tops from J. Crew that are slim fitting but not tight. I sometimes layer these with a cardigan or a loose-fitting blazer. I do have one part of loose high waisted crepe black pants, but I’ll wear these with high heels and a silk tank topped with a leather jacket or tuxedo jacket when I want to dress up for a fancy night out but it’s too cold for a dress. I look awful in crop tops and body suits, so I’m just going to let this trend pass me by. I bought a matching set with a tank and loose pull on pants from Z Supply that looks amazing on me, so this will be my casual wear until it gets hot enough for sundresses. I’m spending my money on good jackets/coats, jewelry, bags, and shoes while keeping the rest of my wardrobe simple.
Here’s the link to the outfit from Z Supply: https://zsupplyclothing.com/products/scout-cotton-jersey-pant-1?variant=42879533711460&utm_term=&utm_campaign=WP_G_PMAX_BSNA&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw26KxBhBDEiwAu6KXt95TPGT7MjlI0rj2KwTDCtKdnQ2JkNTu1_PdsTHvgxQiHb19ukKp8hoCmkEQAvD_BwE
4’10, same size, and one year post-hysterectomy, I feel your pain. As much as I dislike the side view, I LOVE rocking a crop top and high-waisted wide-leg pants. I have a short torso and my belly is flat-ish at the top but still protrudes around & under my belly button.
For some reason, most shirt tucks look awful on me now. My go-to bottoms have been flowy high-waisted skirts and similar pants (I love a palazzo pant, but that’s just me).
You can DM me if you’re more comfortable doing so, since it’s kind of OT, but can I ask how your hysterectomy healed up? I was given the option to get one, but the thought of removing an entire organ makes me an anxious wreck. Mine would be ovary-sparing, but I’ve heard so many horror stories of women experiencing menopause symptoms right after surgery despite keeping their ovaries. I don’t know if my symptoms are bad enough to be worth the risk (mine are small but numerous and mostly on the outside, so they don’t cause heavy bleeding, just pressure symptoms).
And on the subject of clothes, I’m definitely leaning more into skirts and dresses once it warms up a bit! It’s still too cold here at nights though.
I don’t mind, I was desperate for real-person stories before my surgery!
Before getting into it, I need to mention that I’m in the process of getting diagnosed with a few things that probably affected my recovery. I have autoimmune disease-related symptoms and what seems like ehlers-danlos syndrome. I would have gotten the surgery anyways if I had known then, but with a different recovery plan.
I had an ovary-sparing hysterectomy via DaVinci-assisted laparoscopy last March. The surgeon removed my uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and appendix (since she was in there anyways). The first few days were admittedly rough, but part of that was me having a bad reaction to the medications I was put on.
Overall, my recovery was slower and a little more painful than expected. My 6-week checkup showed that the cuff (where the cervix was removed & vagina is stitched up) was still not healed. At 12 weeks, it turned out that I had a tiny (1.5cm) spontaneous tear in my cuff. I had the choice to wait and see if it would heal or go in for a short surgery to re-stitch it. I opted for surgery since I was moving overseas a few months after surgery.
Related to this post - I wasn’t prepared for the ‘swelly belly’ to last as long as it did. It took about a year for me to stop bloating up multiple pant sizes any time I walked a long distance or exercised. I couldn’t comfortably wear jeans for a few months and still prefer high-waisted bottoms that sit above my belly button. Or skirts. I really, really love skirts and anything flowy on the bottom lately!
Now I’m trying to get back into a fitness routine to strengthen my core; I have no muscles after babying myself so much for so long. I wish I’d fought harder for pelvic floor therapy.
Currently, I have two almost invisible little scars and MUCH better quality of life. I still get PMS and ovulation pain, but I don’t spent 5-10 days per cycle in agonizing pain anymore. It was definitely the right choice for me!
Hey!
Adding to what the other poster said. I'm 39 and had an ovary-sparing total hysterectomy 6 years ago-also a DaVinci-assisted laprascopic procedure. My ovaries are still functioning well!
My primary reason for the procedure was endometriosis (which had been cauterized laprascopically several years before my hysterectomy and came back) but also fibroids, ovarian and fallopian cysts, and adenomyosis. Like the other poster, I *also* took longer to heal than expected due to other health issues and it manifested as cuff healing issues, but honestly it was OK-I had to take it easy longer than expected, but there wasn't a lot of pain with healing.
Just frustration. If I had to do it again I could suck it up and do so.
Not that more anecdotal evidence helps, but at the time I had mine done, the hystersisters website was helpful. And personally, I know many women who've had hysterectomies, all of whom bounced back rapidly and were much older than I was when they had it done. It's a serious decision and a major surgery so obviously do your research and consult with your docs, but ultimately, it's an incredibly common procedure with a reasonable recovery time and there are many success stories.
My quality of life physical health-wise has been VASTLY better on this side of the hysterectomy. Whatever you decide, I wish you good health!
I'm also short waisted, and while I'm fairly slim I have "violin hips" and not much waist definition. Tucking tops just makes me look blocky and dumpy - I can \*sometimes\* pull it off it off but only with highly specific pants/tops combos and the pants have to be low-rise. I still think it makes me look fat from the side.
I just gave up on current fashions as everything is designed to be as unflattering as possible; but I had good luck finding a bunch of cute tops at the thrift store. I look for semi-fitted with a bit of shape (not body-con tight), and there's a specific spot on my hip where they need to hit.
I found that I can do wider leg jeans as long as they are mid or low-rise; my very fashionable Gen Z daughter had me try on men's jeans at American Eagle and they fit me better than any of the women's styles!
Yes, I wish structured tops with vertical seaming and darting were more common but I’m sure it’s more expensive to manufacture so we’re left with tight stretchy fabric or billowy, shapeless stuff :/
I can’t do low or mid-rise because it gives me muffin top abd hits right where I’m the widest and put pressure on my fibroids :(
I don’t mind high-waisted pants as they are more comfortable for me, but the tucking is a disaster.
I tried on a bunch of low-rise jeans at American Eagle and all gave me muffin top or else were too big and gapped in the back - EXCEPT for the men's jeans. I'm not particularly big through the midsection, but I am 55 so there's some squish.
I am with you, the current waist-highlighting styles look awful on me since my waist is...not so well defined.
I don't have a great solution but I am thinking I may go somewhere like Old Navy and look for some much shorter t-shirts that aren't super tight, but will end around the waist instead of well below. That might at least work better proportionally. I hope I can find some.
Otherwise, baggy pants were last in when I was in middle school, and my favorite look then was with a t shirt under an unbuttoned flannel shirt. I've been enjoying wearing my button up shirts as top layers that way. Thanks 90s revival!
I think a co-ord set might solve some of this--the proportions will be slightly looser/wider but the overall look will be a column of color.
I'd also look for cropped pants + a side-vent tunic (this is the classic "Chico's" look for a darn good reason. Because when many women get older, they develop a mid section they don't want to highlight!) in lightweight materials. You can also do an oversized "boyfriend" button down with the last few buttons undone giving a slight illusion of a more narrow waist. You want to break up the unbroken "swath" of fabric just a bit with bigger, longer, looser stuff.
I think you’re right. I just bought this top and skirt actually!
https://zsupplyclothing.com/collections/lounge-sets/products/crop-out-knit-denim-sweatshirt?variant=42350289158244
https://zsupplyclothing.com/products/shilo-knit-denim-skirt
Will definitely need the skirt hemmed but that’s ok, it’s pretty straight so the shape shouldn’t be affected. There’s also a coordinating tank and sweatpants I might add later.
Probably also going to look for petite jumpsuits too, for the same reason.
Ok so I feel the same way and was always a loose top and skinny or straight jeans woman. I decided to get some flares, which I’m comfortable in, and also a couple pair of wide leg jeans. I had them but still wasn’t wearing them until I was at a party where I saw quite a few other women my age wearing the wide leg pant w tucked or partially tucked in top (or a few with a bit of a cropped top)
I thought they all looked so nice and put together and it took a while for me to actually look and realize that while some were pretty thin, others were bigger than me too. I didn’t notice *their* bellies or thighs or muffin tops or any of the things I might find problematic on myself. So I figured I’d try it out and actually got a compliment from a friend on the first day! So pretty much you are your own worst critic - just give it a try and you might change how you feel!
Somewhat fitted knit button up or collared polo style top= More definition than a floaty top. Or fitted tank top & loose cardigan or unbuttoned oversized top or oversized/slouchy blazer.
My mom has your shape.
She does the tunic with wide leg pant thing or wide leg overalls / jumpers without the cinched waist, but tucking looks so wrong.
You can still wear the style bit without the tuck.
Also, dress to your body, not the latest trend :) i keep what i look good in Even from 30 years ago :)
I don’t mind dressing in clothes that are “out,” but I do like having fun and trying new things. It gets boring wearing the same silhouette on repeat for over a decade, especially when those clothes are hard to find. I look great in empire waist tops and banded/elastic hem shirts but even when thrifting they’re hard to find. They were last trending around 2006-2010 so there just aren’t very many left floating around out there.
I’m curious what tunic and wide leg combo works for her because wearing long, wide things on top of long, wide things makes me feel like I’m drowning in fabric.
David kibbe is a famous stylist who has some methods to dress to suit your particular body type, and the idea is that every outfit is a creation/journey. If you want to start the journey you can head over to r/kibbe for more but it's very complicated and hard to understand at first tbh.. that's why it's called a journey I guess?
I think you'll like that it rejects simply doing what's trendy and instead focuses on what compliments you the best.
Same body type here! I carry all my weight in my belly and thighs and have no butt or chest. I look for mid-rise pants with 8-9 inch rise and slim fit with a loose ankle. The pants are tighter fitting over my butt but looser in the lower leg. I prefer flats or a shoe with a slight block heel, and I feel like showing a little bit of ankle makes me look taller and slimmer. My favorite shirts are silk or linen short sleeved tops from J. Crew that are slim fitting but not tight. I sometimes layer these with a cardigan or a loose-fitting blazer. I do have one part of loose high waisted crepe black pants, but I’ll wear these with high heels and a silk tank topped with a leather jacket or tuxedo jacket when I want to dress up for a fancy night out but it’s too cold for a dress. I look awful in crop tops and body suits, so I’m just going to let this trend pass me by. I bought a matching set with a tank and loose pull on pants from Z Supply that looks amazing on me, so this will be my casual wear until it gets hot enough for sundresses. I’m spending my money on good jackets/coats, jewelry, bags, and shoes while keeping the rest of my wardrobe simple.
Here’s the link to the outfit from Z Supply: https://zsupplyclothing.com/products/scout-cotton-jersey-pant-1?variant=42879533711460&utm_term=&utm_campaign=WP_G_PMAX_BSNA&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw26KxBhBDEiwAu6KXt95TPGT7MjlI0rj2KwTDCtKdnQ2JkNTu1_PdsTHvgxQiHb19ukKp8hoCmkEQAvD_BwE
Flares with a flowy / button up top should be more flattering than baggy / wide pants, but look more current than skinny jeans or leggings.
4’10, same size, and one year post-hysterectomy, I feel your pain. As much as I dislike the side view, I LOVE rocking a crop top and high-waisted wide-leg pants. I have a short torso and my belly is flat-ish at the top but still protrudes around & under my belly button. For some reason, most shirt tucks look awful on me now. My go-to bottoms have been flowy high-waisted skirts and similar pants (I love a palazzo pant, but that’s just me).
You can DM me if you’re more comfortable doing so, since it’s kind of OT, but can I ask how your hysterectomy healed up? I was given the option to get one, but the thought of removing an entire organ makes me an anxious wreck. Mine would be ovary-sparing, but I’ve heard so many horror stories of women experiencing menopause symptoms right after surgery despite keeping their ovaries. I don’t know if my symptoms are bad enough to be worth the risk (mine are small but numerous and mostly on the outside, so they don’t cause heavy bleeding, just pressure symptoms). And on the subject of clothes, I’m definitely leaning more into skirts and dresses once it warms up a bit! It’s still too cold here at nights though.
I don’t mind, I was desperate for real-person stories before my surgery! Before getting into it, I need to mention that I’m in the process of getting diagnosed with a few things that probably affected my recovery. I have autoimmune disease-related symptoms and what seems like ehlers-danlos syndrome. I would have gotten the surgery anyways if I had known then, but with a different recovery plan. I had an ovary-sparing hysterectomy via DaVinci-assisted laparoscopy last March. The surgeon removed my uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and appendix (since she was in there anyways). The first few days were admittedly rough, but part of that was me having a bad reaction to the medications I was put on. Overall, my recovery was slower and a little more painful than expected. My 6-week checkup showed that the cuff (where the cervix was removed & vagina is stitched up) was still not healed. At 12 weeks, it turned out that I had a tiny (1.5cm) spontaneous tear in my cuff. I had the choice to wait and see if it would heal or go in for a short surgery to re-stitch it. I opted for surgery since I was moving overseas a few months after surgery. Related to this post - I wasn’t prepared for the ‘swelly belly’ to last as long as it did. It took about a year for me to stop bloating up multiple pant sizes any time I walked a long distance or exercised. I couldn’t comfortably wear jeans for a few months and still prefer high-waisted bottoms that sit above my belly button. Or skirts. I really, really love skirts and anything flowy on the bottom lately! Now I’m trying to get back into a fitness routine to strengthen my core; I have no muscles after babying myself so much for so long. I wish I’d fought harder for pelvic floor therapy. Currently, I have two almost invisible little scars and MUCH better quality of life. I still get PMS and ovulation pain, but I don’t spent 5-10 days per cycle in agonizing pain anymore. It was definitely the right choice for me!
Hey! Adding to what the other poster said. I'm 39 and had an ovary-sparing total hysterectomy 6 years ago-also a DaVinci-assisted laprascopic procedure. My ovaries are still functioning well! My primary reason for the procedure was endometriosis (which had been cauterized laprascopically several years before my hysterectomy and came back) but also fibroids, ovarian and fallopian cysts, and adenomyosis. Like the other poster, I *also* took longer to heal than expected due to other health issues and it manifested as cuff healing issues, but honestly it was OK-I had to take it easy longer than expected, but there wasn't a lot of pain with healing. Just frustration. If I had to do it again I could suck it up and do so. Not that more anecdotal evidence helps, but at the time I had mine done, the hystersisters website was helpful. And personally, I know many women who've had hysterectomies, all of whom bounced back rapidly and were much older than I was when they had it done. It's a serious decision and a major surgery so obviously do your research and consult with your docs, but ultimately, it's an incredibly common procedure with a reasonable recovery time and there are many success stories. My quality of life physical health-wise has been VASTLY better on this side of the hysterectomy. Whatever you decide, I wish you good health!
I'm also short waisted, and while I'm fairly slim I have "violin hips" and not much waist definition. Tucking tops just makes me look blocky and dumpy - I can \*sometimes\* pull it off it off but only with highly specific pants/tops combos and the pants have to be low-rise. I still think it makes me look fat from the side. I just gave up on current fashions as everything is designed to be as unflattering as possible; but I had good luck finding a bunch of cute tops at the thrift store. I look for semi-fitted with a bit of shape (not body-con tight), and there's a specific spot on my hip where they need to hit. I found that I can do wider leg jeans as long as they are mid or low-rise; my very fashionable Gen Z daughter had me try on men's jeans at American Eagle and they fit me better than any of the women's styles!
Yes, I wish structured tops with vertical seaming and darting were more common but I’m sure it’s more expensive to manufacture so we’re left with tight stretchy fabric or billowy, shapeless stuff :/ I can’t do low or mid-rise because it gives me muffin top abd hits right where I’m the widest and put pressure on my fibroids :( I don’t mind high-waisted pants as they are more comfortable for me, but the tucking is a disaster.
I tried on a bunch of low-rise jeans at American Eagle and all gave me muffin top or else were too big and gapped in the back - EXCEPT for the men's jeans. I'm not particularly big through the midsection, but I am 55 so there's some squish.
I am with you, the current waist-highlighting styles look awful on me since my waist is...not so well defined. I don't have a great solution but I am thinking I may go somewhere like Old Navy and look for some much shorter t-shirts that aren't super tight, but will end around the waist instead of well below. That might at least work better proportionally. I hope I can find some. Otherwise, baggy pants were last in when I was in middle school, and my favorite look then was with a t shirt under an unbuttoned flannel shirt. I've been enjoying wearing my button up shirts as top layers that way. Thanks 90s revival!
I think a co-ord set might solve some of this--the proportions will be slightly looser/wider but the overall look will be a column of color. I'd also look for cropped pants + a side-vent tunic (this is the classic "Chico's" look for a darn good reason. Because when many women get older, they develop a mid section they don't want to highlight!) in lightweight materials. You can also do an oversized "boyfriend" button down with the last few buttons undone giving a slight illusion of a more narrow waist. You want to break up the unbroken "swath" of fabric just a bit with bigger, longer, looser stuff.
I think you’re right. I just bought this top and skirt actually! https://zsupplyclothing.com/collections/lounge-sets/products/crop-out-knit-denim-sweatshirt?variant=42350289158244 https://zsupplyclothing.com/products/shilo-knit-denim-skirt Will definitely need the skirt hemmed but that’s ok, it’s pretty straight so the shape shouldn’t be affected. There’s also a coordinating tank and sweatpants I might add later. Probably also going to look for petite jumpsuits too, for the same reason.
Ok so I feel the same way and was always a loose top and skinny or straight jeans woman. I decided to get some flares, which I’m comfortable in, and also a couple pair of wide leg jeans. I had them but still wasn’t wearing them until I was at a party where I saw quite a few other women my age wearing the wide leg pant w tucked or partially tucked in top (or a few with a bit of a cropped top) I thought they all looked so nice and put together and it took a while for me to actually look and realize that while some were pretty thin, others were bigger than me too. I didn’t notice *their* bellies or thighs or muffin tops or any of the things I might find problematic on myself. So I figured I’d try it out and actually got a compliment from a friend on the first day! So pretty much you are your own worst critic - just give it a try and you might change how you feel!
Somewhat fitted knit button up or collared polo style top= More definition than a floaty top. Or fitted tank top & loose cardigan or unbuttoned oversized top or oversized/slouchy blazer.
My mom has your shape. She does the tunic with wide leg pant thing or wide leg overalls / jumpers without the cinched waist, but tucking looks so wrong. You can still wear the style bit without the tuck. Also, dress to your body, not the latest trend :) i keep what i look good in Even from 30 years ago :)
I don’t mind dressing in clothes that are “out,” but I do like having fun and trying new things. It gets boring wearing the same silhouette on repeat for over a decade, especially when those clothes are hard to find. I look great in empire waist tops and banded/elastic hem shirts but even when thrifting they’re hard to find. They were last trending around 2006-2010 so there just aren’t very many left floating around out there. I’m curious what tunic and wide leg combo works for her because wearing long, wide things on top of long, wide things makes me feel like I’m drowning in fabric.
David kibbe is a famous stylist who has some methods to dress to suit your particular body type, and the idea is that every outfit is a creation/journey. If you want to start the journey you can head over to r/kibbe for more but it's very complicated and hard to understand at first tbh.. that's why it's called a journey I guess? I think you'll like that it rejects simply doing what's trendy and instead focuses on what compliments you the best.