How to Dress When you Have No Waist

Some women have to deal with one important issue in dressing their body type – not having a defined, slim waist. It´s not necessarily because you have a prominent tummy, but it could be due to your shape. You probably have a rectangle, straight up and down, or an inverted triangle, broad shoulders and narrow hips.

Most fashion models have an inverted triangle body shape, and there are only a few of them in the whole wide world. But contrary to the popular belief that the majority of women have a pear, most women, especially in the US and the UK, actually have a rectangle shape.

That means, defining the waist is an important goal in dressing up for many of us.

Here are six tips on how to create an illusion of a defined waist, straight from the runway.

Table of Contents

1. How to dress when you have no waist: Belted Drape Dress

Choose a figure skimming dress with a drape from its top down to its skirt. Cinch the waist with a regular width belt to create a blousy, drape-y top. Distribute the resulting ruching under the belt evenly for a little volume. Enjoy the bounce of your skirt.

Suggested Drape Dresses

From Left: 1. Norma Kamali Drop Shoulder Side Drape Gown / 2. Norma Kamali Strapless Side Drape Gown / 3. LYANER Spaghetti Straps Ruched Wrap Split Hem Zipper Midi Dress

2. Break a Monochrome Dress with Wide Waist Band

Use a wide waist band to break a monochromatic fitted dress. Go for black or other dark colored waist bands for maximum effect.

Which Body Shapes Look Great in Shift Dresses?

Suggested Printed & Mono Dresses to Wear with Wide Belts

From Left: 1. GUESS Textured Knit Off The Shoulder Midi Dress / 2. Tommy Hilfiger Midi Short-Sleeved Dresses / 3. Maggy London Halter Neck Maxi Dress

3. How to dress when you have no waist: Sleeveless Top + Flared Skirt

Create a tonal combination of a sleeveless, non-fitted top and a normal-volume flared or round skirt. Tuck in your top and add a complementary belt. In the light blue combination above, I would suggest a darker shade of blue for the slim belt. Between the slight volume of your tucked in blouse and the flare of your skirt, you´ll have a slim waist.

Suggested Flared Skirts

From Top Left: 1. Taydey A-Line Pleated Vintage Skirt / 2. Afibi Vintage High Waist A-Line Skater Skirt / 3. Tandisk Vintage A-line Printed Pleated Flared Midi Skirt

4. Halterneck Top + Wrap Skirt Skirt

If you have an inverted triangle or a rectangle body shape, the halterneck top will flatter your shoulders. The flare of your top which hits just around your waist, and the slimness of your waist brought by the fitted wrap skirt, will give an illusion of a narrow waist. The oversized florals subdued in black of the skirt also help in giving your hips more width.

Suggested Halter Tops

From Top Left: 1. CCTOO Halter Neck Pleated Shirred Blouse / 2. KIRUNDO Halter Satin Summer Top with Bow / 3. THANTH Halter Sleeveless Top

5. How to dress when you have no waist: Flared Top with Knee-Length Pencil Skirt

Whether it´s a ready-to-use fit and flare top or a wrapped top which you can create a flare with a belt, partner it with a knee-length pencil skirt for a defined narrow waist and curvaceous hips.

Suggested Flared Tops

From Top Left: 1. U.Vomade V NeckPleated Flared Blouse / 2. CCTOO Square Neck Smocked Peplum Top / 3. Kate Kasin Tie Waist Crew Neck Peplum Top

6. Belted Fitted Midi Dress

how-to-create-a-waist-belted-fitted-midi-dress

How does Victoria Beckham getaway with fitted midi dresses in spite of her rectangle body shape? She makes use of double-wrap belts which contrast her dress and slim down her waist. If you´re not into double wrap buckled belts, go for any belt with normal width and dark color.