The Universally Flattering Cut that Minimizes Your Stomach and Celebrates Your Curves

Poplin client Jane’s All Saints dress. The brand brings an edge to any outfit and this ruched dress brings extra sex appeal without showing any skin.

As a personal stylist for women, I’m all about giving each client concrete tools to help her look and feel her best every day. Her clothes should communicate her authentic personal style and give her confidence. Each piece should flatter her frame and whenever possible, align with her values.

My client, Jane, was ready for a change. It was time to elevate her look and embrace her feminine side in a sophisticated way. After going through a divorce, she was ready to wear clothes that made her feel confident, sexy, edgy and still functional for life with her little one. As a woman in her early 40’s, she opted for pieces that felt appropriate and pretty, but often ended up feeling forgettable. Her closet edit revealed 50’s inspired fit and flare dresses with some bohemian pieces thrown in.

Giving her both the permission and the tools to embrace her feminine side and celebrate her figure transformed the way she showed up at work and in life. In her words,

“Working with you has given me so much confidence. I wore one of the All Saints dresses yesterday to work.  OMG.  I could have hugged you, I felt so great.”

In the case of this All Saints dress, the secret is ruching.

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Yes, please! A ruched strapless dress that’s super comfortable, flattering and fun. To size 3X.

Ruching: The Ideal Way to Celebrate Your Curves and Minimize Your Stomach

Regardless of body type, ruching is all about celebrating your curves. Feel like you don’t really have any? Ruching is definitely for you. Choices that have stretch and ruching are especially useful if your weight fluctuates. Remember, there’s no need to change your size, it’s time to change your clothes. Ruching is a key component of that change. Here’s a collection of some of my favorite pieces right now. What are your favs?

Clients often think that black is the most slimming option. Actually, prints can sometimes be better as they camouflage areas, like your stomach. This designer dress combines strategic ruching with a great print to show off your assets and let everything else disappear.

The 90’s trend is still going strong and this baby doll dress has some great ruching at the chest.

Shibori tie dye is a sophisticated approach to the treatment and this ruched dress minimizes your stomach while highlighting your waist.

Drawing the eye to your vertical middle is another way to minimize your stomach. This sophisticated top is available in multiple colors and to size XL.

Everything from this brand fills my heart with joy. Bold prints, fun colors, it’s all here. This ruched dress is universally flattering and gives the impression of an hourglass figure, whether you have one or not.

Let’s hear it for a timeless jumpsuit that hugs your curves in all the right ways. This style is ideal for minimizing your stomach and celebrating everything else.

Have a triangle shaped figure but REALLY want to wear a body con dress? THIS ruched option is the answer.

Few things illustrate the magic of ruching like a swimsuit. This one piece comes in multiple colors with a flattering silhouette and a functional design.

Available in several colors, this super affordable jersey ruched dress is incredibly versatile and can be used for loungewear or a casual day at the office.

All bodycon dresses are not equal. A ruched option will make you feel your best.

My go to look right now is a ruched fitted comfortable dress with knee high boots and a vegan leather or leather trench. Addicted.

So many of my personal styling clients feel sensitive about the area under their armpits. This top solves that issue and minimizes your stomach while we’re here. Available in regular and petite and up to size 14.

Ruched sleeves are a stellar way to get a more relaxed, flattering fit without rolling up your sleeves. This blazer comes in multiple colors and goes to size 14.

Fun Fact: A bold shoulder also minimizes your stomach so these ruched sleeves are doing double duty. Available in three colors and up to size XL.

Available in two colors. I love this new affordable brand at Nordstrom and its take on the ruched skirt.

Anything 70’s inspired feels like a win to me and this vegan leather blazer has ruched sleeves giving a 3/4 length which is universally appealing.

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