If you feel self-conscious about your tummy area, don't worry! Choosing the right clothing can easily help you feel confident and stylish. I'm here to help you out with some top suggestions that will effectively camouflage your stomach area while making you look trendy.

9 best tops for women that both hide and flatter

As we cross the 50-year milestone, our bodies inevitably undergo changes, and for many women, this can lead to a bit more roundness in the tummy area. There are numerous reasons, ranging from childbirth and hormonal changes to enjoying good food and wine. Whatever the cause, there's absolutely no reason for you to feel self-conscious about it.

Today, I'm excited to share nine types of flattering tops that can help camouflage the tummy area, allowing you to embrace your day with confidence and style.

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#1. Peplum Tops

Peplum tops have been a fashion favorite for years, celebrated for their ability to create a flattering, feminine silhouette. Ideal for women over 50, these tops work their magic by cinching at the waist or just beneath the bust line before flaring out with a playful ruffle or peplum effect. This design not only highlights the narrowest part of your torso but also adds a touch of elegance and fun to your outfit.

Tops featured above Lane Bryant Square Neck Peplum Blouse, Nordstrom Sophisticated Pleated Peplum Shirt, Nordstrom Black Pleated Peplum Top

The ruffle effect of a peplum top is an ingenious stylistic distraction, cleverly drawing the eyes upwards and placing the focus on your upper body. This is especially beneficial for those looking to minimize the appearance of their tummy, as the peplum flare glides over this area, providing coverage without sacrificing style.

Moreover, peplum tops come in various styles and fabrics, making them a versatile choice for any occasion. Whether you opt for a soft, flowing fabric for a casual day out or a structured material for a night on the town, these tops will make a statement. They pair excellently with straight-legged trousers or pencil skirts, creating a balanced silhouette that celebrates your shape.

One of the greatest strengths of the peplum top is its ability to balance proportions. For women who may feel self-conscious about their midsection, this style creates an hourglass figure, emphasizing the bust and hips while disguising the tummy. It's a testament to the fact that fashion can be both flattering and fashionable, regardless of age or body type.

#2. Empire Waist Tops

Empire waist tops stand out as a timeless fashion staple, especially for women over 50 looking to combine elegance with a flattering fit. This style is characterized by its raised waistline, which sits just below the bust, from which the rest of the top flows freely. This unique cut serves multiple purposes; it highlights the slimmest part of the torso while gracefully draping over the tummy area, providing a comfortable fit and a touch of grace.

Tops featured above Amazon Pink Ruffle Empire Waist Top, Amazon Navy Long Sleeved Ruffle-Neck Top, Amazon Purple Long-Sleeved Empire Waist Top

The resurgence in popularity of empire waist tops can be largely attributed to the influence of period dramas like Bridgerton. The show’s lavish costumes and regal aesthetics have reintroduced this classic style to a modern audience, showcasing how it effortlessly combines femininity with regal elegance. The characters in Bridgerton, draped in their empire waist gowns, exude a timeless beauty and poise that many women aspire to.

What makes empire waist tops such an excellent choice for those wishing to camouflage their tummy is the way they draw attention upwards. The eye is naturally drawn to the narrowest part of the body, just below the bust, while the flowing fabric beneath provides a forgiving silhouette that doesn’t cling to the midsection. This design ensures that any focus on the tummy area is masterfully diverted, allowing you to move confidently and easily.

Empire waist tops come in many styles, fabrics, and patterns, providing ample options for any occasion and personal preference. Whether you’re dressing for a casual day out or a more formal event, these tops offer versatility while ensuring you look and feel your best.

Embracing this Bridgerton-esq elegance doesn’t just mean you are keeping up with fashion trends; it also means choosing a style that celebrates your body, providing a flattering fit that boosts confidence. Empire waist tops stand as a testament to the fact that style and elegance are timeless, transcending age and body type to create a look that is both sophisticated and chic.

#3. Wrap Tops

Wrap tops are a brilliant wardrobe staple for women over 50, known for their universally flattering design and ability to accentuate curves while subtly minimizing the tummy area. By hugging the waist and forming a deep V-neckline at the bust, this style enhances the body's natural curves, creating a balanced and feminine silhouette.

Wrap tops featured above Nordstrom Wrap-Front Side Tie Top, Nordstrom Floral Print Faux Wrap Top, Nordstrom Purple Collared Faux Wrap Top

One of the defining features of wrap tops is their adjustable nature. The fabric wraps around the torso, allowing for a customized fit that can be as snug or as loose as you prefer. This adaptability ensures that the top can accommodate various body shapes while still providing a flattering look. The tie or clasp at the waist creates a focal point, drawing attention to the narrowest part of your torso and away from the tummy.

The V-neckline plays a crucial role in the appeal of wrap tops, elongating the neck and drawing the eye upward. This detail not only adds a touch of elegance to the overall look but also shifts the focus away from the midsection, creating a balanced aesthetic that celebrates your body’s natural shape.

Furthermore, wrap tops are incredibly versatile and suitable for various occasions, from casual to formal. They can be paired with jeans for a relaxed yet chic look or with a pencil skirt for a more polished ensemble. The variety of fabrics, patterns, and colors available in wrap tops ensures that there is a perfect option for every personal style and event.

By choosing a wrap top, you are selecting a garment that understands the importance of celebrating and enhancing your natural curves while providing a comfortable and stylish option for minimizing the appearance of the tummy. It’s a style that says you can embrace fashion and feel fabulous at any age.

#4. Ruched or Gathered Tops

Ruched or gathered tops offer a splendid solution for women over 50 looking to gracefully conceal their tummy area while embracing a stylish and contemporary look. These tops are meticulously designed with gorgeous shearing, or ruching concentrated around the midsection and oftentimes extending toward the sides. This strategic placement and unique fabric manipulation are an artful form of camouflage, skilfully drawing the eyes towards the intricate details of the ruching and away from the tummy.

Gathered Tops featured above Amazon Red Long-Sleeved Gathered Top, Amazon Twist-Front V-Neck Gathered Shirt, Amazon Green Short-Sleeved V-Neck Side Tie Gathered Top

The beauty of ruched or gathered tops lies in their ability to provide a flattering fit without compromising on style. The gathered fabric adds texture and interest to the garment, creating a visual feast that captivates the onlooker’s attention. This design celebrates the body’s contours while simultaneously providing a forgiving fit around the tummy, ensuring you feel confident and comfortable in your outfit.

Moreover, these tops are incredibly versatile, easily transitioning from casual day wear to more formal settings whether paired with jeans for a laid-back look or with a skirt for a dressed-up occasion, ruched or gathered tops prove to be a reliable choice for any event on your calendar.

Embracing ruched or gathered tops means choosing a garment that balances aesthetic appeal with practical functionality. The ruching works as a form of artful distraction, ensuring that your tummy is not the center of attention, while the overall design ensures you remain at the height of fashion. It’s a winning combination of style, comfort, and clever design, tailored to meet the needs of women who want to feel fabulous at every age.

#5. Blouson Tops

Blouson tops stand out as an epitome of breezy elegance, making them an impeccable choice for women over 50 who are looking to blend comfort with style. Characterized by their airy and billowy silhouette, these tops offer a loose, flowing fit that gracefully drapes over the body, providing a forgiving yet utterly stylish garment option.

Blouson Top featured above Nordstrom Blouson V-Neck Sweater, Nordstrom City Chic Royal Blue Blouson Top, Karen Kane Blouson Print Scarf Top

One of the unique aspects of blouson tops is their ability to combine volume with definition. While the main body of the top is relaxed and full of movement, many designs incorporate a fitted waistband. This element creates a subtle blouson effect as the fabric gently gathers above it, adding an extra layer of visual interest and ensuring the top doesn’t overwhelm your figure.

The magic of blouson tops lies in their ability to draw attention upwards, away from the tummy, and towards the fabric’s light and airy qualities. The eye is naturally captivated by the top’s movement and elegance, creating a distraction that feels both natural and intentional. Whether you’re dealing with a breeze or simply moving through your day, the fabric flows and flutters, providing a visual spectacle that keeps the focus on the top’s overall grace rather than the midsection.

Furthermore, blouson tops offer incredible versatility, easily adapting to various settings and occasions. They can be dressed down with a pair of jeans for a casual, effortless look or paired with a skirt for a more put-together ensemble. The variety in necklines, sleeve lengths, and fabric choices ensures that there is a blouson top to suit every preference and need.

Choosing a blouson top means embracing a garment that understands the balance between comfort, style, and strategic design. It’s a nod to the fact that fashion can be both forgiving and fabulous and that elegance can be achieved at any age and body shape.

Wear tunic tops to camoflague a large tummy

#6. Tunic TOPS

Tunics have firmly established themselves as a perennial favorite in the wardrobes of many, especially for those over 50 looking to navigate fashion while embracing comfort and style gracefully. Their popularity stems from a timeless design characterized by a longer length and a flowing silhouette, which work harmoniously to provide a flattering fit for various body types.

Tunic Tops featured above Talbots Embroidered Medallion Tunic, Eileen Fisher Crinkle Funnel Neck Tunic, Talbots White Poplin Button Back Tunic

One of the remarkable qualities of tunics is their incredible versatility. They seamlessly transition across different settings and occasions, proving that style knows no age or bounds. For a relaxed day at the beach, a tunic can be effortlessly worn over swimwear, providing a chic cover-up that is both practical and stylish. Transitioning to the evening, the same tunic can be paired with elegant trousers or a sleek skirt, instantly creating a sophisticated ensemble perfect for a night out or a formal event. The adaptability of tunics makes them an invaluable addition to any wardrobe, ensuring you’re well-equipped for whatever the day may bring.

The longer length and flowing design of tunics is strategic not just in terms of style but also in providing a graceful camouflage for the tummy area. The fabric gracefully drapes over the body, skimming without clinging, ensuring any areas you wish to de-emphasize are subtly concealed. This design choice creates a silhouette that celebrates your shape while providing comfortable and confident wear.

Moreover, tunics come in an array of styles, colors, and patterns, ensuring there is a perfect option for every personal preference and occasion. Whether you favor bold prints, vibrant colors, or more subdued, classic options, tunics provide a canvas to express your personal style while maintaining a chic and timeless look.

Embracing tunics means choosing a garment that understands the need for style, comfort, and versatility. It’s a commitment to a piece that will stand the test of time, proving that fashion and elegance are attainable at every stage of life.

#7. Layered Looks

Layering stands out as a masterful strategy in the art of dressing, especially for women over 50 looking to stylishly conceal their tummy area while exuding an air of sophistication. It is a technique that combines practicality with elegance, allowing for a curated and polished appearance.

Layered looks featured above Lilly Pulitzer White Black Cardigan Sweater, Lilly Pulitzer Lanelle Cashmere Wrap, Lilly Pulitzer Noble Cashmere Cardigan

The first step in creating a successful layered look is choosing a base layer that is both loose and flowy. A camisole or tank top is an excellent starting point, providing a gentle drape over the tummy that ensures comfort while laying the groundwork for the coming layers. The choice of a flowy fabric is crucial, ensuring that the material glides over the body without adding bulk, maintaining a sleek silhouette.

Building upon this base, adding a cardigan or blazer brings the ensemble to life, introducing a layer of sophistication that elevates the overall look. A well-chosen cardigan or blazer acts as a visual anchor, drawing the eye upwards and creating a vertical line that elongates the torso. This not only adds a layer of warmth and coverage but also serves to divert attention away from the tummy area strategically.

The beauty of layering lies in its versatility and adaptability. Depending on the occasion, the layers can be adjusted to suit the setting, ensuring that you remain chic and appropriately dressed. From casual outings to more formal events, the layered look is a reliable and stylish choice.

Furthermore, layering provides an opportunity to play with color, texture, and pattern, allowing for a personalized touch that reflects your individual style. Whether you prefer bold, statement pieces or more subdued, classic options, layering accommodates all preferences, ensuring that your outfit is as unique as you are.

Choosing to embrace layering means committing to a style that is as chic as it is sophisticated. It is a nod to the fact that fashion can be both functional and fabulous and that a polished look is achievable at any age.

#8. Patterns and Prints

Patterns and prints possess a unique and powerful ability to transform an outfit, acting as a visual feast that delights the eye and distracts from areas we might wish to de-emphasize. For women over 50 contending with a more pronounced tummy, well-chosen patterns, and prints emerge as a sartorial ally, providing a stylish solution that combines artistry with strategy.

Patterns and Prints featured above Talbots No-Iron Animal Print Shirt, Talbots Fruit & Leaves Pleated Sleeve Poplin Top, Talbots Floral Print Corduroy Popover Top

The key to mastering the art of distraction through patterns and prints lies in carefully selecting designs that work in harmony with your body shape. Vertical designs are a particularly effective choice, creating uninterrupted lines that draw the eye upwards and elongate the torso. This optical illusion not only adds height but also contributes to a slimming effect, creating a graceful and flattering silhouette.

Asymmetrical prints offer another dynamic option, introducing a sense of movement and intrigue to the outfit. These prints break up the visual field, preventing the eye from focusing on any one area and instead encouraging a more holistic appreciation of the ensemble. The result is a playful yet sophisticated look that artfully camouflages the tummy area.

Overall prints, whether they are bold or subtle, provide a uniform pattern across the garment, helping to mask any specific areas and contributing to a balanced and harmonious look. These prints serve as a testament to the power of patterns, proving that fashion can be both a form of expression and a clever tactic for enhancing our appearance with the right design.

Beyond their ability to distract and flatter, patterns and prints also offer an opportunity to inject personality and flair into an outfit. They invite experimentation with color, scale, and design, allowing each individual to curate a look that truly reflects their personal style.

Embracing patterns and prints means choosing to celebrate the body through the art of distraction, employing designs that are as flattering as they are captivating. It’s a commitment to a style that recognizes the potential of patterns to transform not just our outfits but our confidence and perception of ourselves.

#9. A-line Tops

A-line tops have masterfully cemented their position in the world of fashion as a universally flattering option, especially for those looking to minimize attention to the tummy area. Unlike regular t-shirts that may inadvertently highlight areas we wish to de-emphasize, A-line tops offer a cleverly designed alternative that combines style and subtlety.

A-Line Tops featured above J. Jill A-Line Fleece Whippedstitch Top, Pure Jill V-Neck Floral Print A-Line Top, J. Jill Black Wearever Shirred A-Line Tunic

Characterized by their fitted design at the top and through the bust, A-line tops gently flare out as they extend downward, creating a silhouette reminiscent of the letter 'A'. This gradual widening provides ample room to skim gracefully over the tummy, allowing the fabric to drape in a manner that feels both comfortable and complimentary.

The beauty of A-line tops lies in their ability to balance proportions, enhancing areas we wish to highlight while providing a soft camouflage for areas we prefer to keep understated. The fitted upper portion of the top draws attention to the shoulders and bust, creating a focal point that naturally draws the eye upwards. As the fabric transitions into a flare, it moves away from the body, creating an elegant and strategic flow.

This design choice results in a versatile and forgiving top, ensuring that women of all shapes and sizes can enjoy a piece that celebrates their bodies while boosting confidence. A-line tops offer a wearable solution to fashion’s often narrow definitions of beauty, championing an inclusive and flattering style.

Furthermore, the gentle flair of A-line tops provides a canvas for an array of styles, from casual to dressy, ensuring that this piece can be adapted to suit any occasion. Whether paired with jeans for a relaxed day out or dressed up with a statement necklace for an evening event, A-line tops rise to the occasion, proving that fashion can be both functional and fabulous.

Incorporating A-line tops into your wardrobe is a nod to the power of thoughtful design, a commitment to a piece that understands the importance of flattering wear without sacrificing style.

Feeling fabulous is all about choosing the right clothing that complements your unique body type. With these tops in your wardrobe, you're ready to step out in style, exuding confidence and charm. Remember, beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. It's all about how you wear it!