Style Your Skirts With Confidence
Some skirts not only provide coverage but also define and flatter in all the right places without drawing focus where it's not wanted. With thoughtful tailoring and clever design, they effortlessly flatter the tummy while preserving comfort and style. If you're ready for a fit that actually feels good, start here and let these 15 skirts and styles reshape your look. Let’s begin with the skirts.
1. High-Waisted A-Line Skirt
Born in the 1940s, this classic silhouette remains a timeless favorite today. The high-waisted A-line skirt shapes the waist while gracefully skimming the stomach, flattering nearly every body type. Its pleats also add structure without bulk, which gives it a polished look.
2. Wrap Skirt With Side Tie
Wrap skirts with side ties offer an adjustable fit that naturally cinches the waist for a flattering shape as the knot shifts focus away from the midsection. This versatile piece layers easily over swimsuits or jeans, and credit for its revival goes to Belgian fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.
DIY Wrap skirt with leg slit from scratch - Autumn wardrobe by Jess Dang
3. Pleated Midi Skirt
Sitting high on the waist, they provide clear definition and gentle coverage. Pleated midi skirts elongate the figure with vertical pleats that cleverly distract from the tummy. Once a symbol of discipline in school uniforms, their fluid movement feels airy and light.
HOW TO STYLE MIDI PLEATED SKIRTS by Yulia Yermak
4. Bias-Cut Satin Skirt
Bias-cut satin skirts drape elegantly over curves without clinging to the stomach. Their diagonal stretch flatters natural body lines and offers surprising versatility—perfect for both casual and formal occasions. This style became a minimalist icon during the 1990s fashion wave.
How to Cut and Sew a Stylish Bias Cut Satin Skirt by LarryB Threads
5. Paperbag Waist Skirt
The name comes from their distinctive gathered top, shaped like a folded paper bag. Paperbag waist skirts create an hourglass effect through a cinched waist and a loose fit below that conceals belly bulges. Built-in belts often come included with this style of skirt.
Sew a PAPER BAG LINEN SKIRT with elastic waistband + POCKETS! ALL THE STEPS! by MADE Everyday
6. Pleather Pencil Skirt
Pleather pencil skirts offer gentle compression that smooths the midsection and defines the silhouette through a structured, high-rise design. They add an edgy touch while retaining comfort. Today's improved faux leathers allow better breathability, which makes them more wearable than ever before.
7. Smocked Waist Maxi Skirt
The smocked waist maxi skirt offers a flexible and snug waistband that flatters without pressure because its long, flowing shape leads the eye upward. This smocking technique traces back to embroidery from the Elizabethan era. Lightweight and wrinkle-resistant qualities also make it ideal for travel.
Denim & Co. Printed Slub Jersey Smocked Waist Maxi Skirt on QVC by QVCtv
8. Tulip Hem Skirt
Using overlapping layers, tulip hem skirts disguise the lower tummy effectively. The curved hem creates the illusion of slimmer thighs while adding playful flair to every step. Their design takes inspiration from the natural shape of flower petals, bringing softness and charm to your look.
Isaac Mizrahi Live! Elements 24/7 Stretch Knit Tulip Hem Skirt on QVC by QVCtv
9. Asymmetrical Ruffle Skirt
With ruffles that add dimension and avoid bulk at the waist, these skirts draw the eye using uneven hems that shift focus away from the midsection. Common in dancewear, this design brings a modern twist to feminine dressing and creates a strong sense of movement through its off-balance cut.
10. Dark Denim Button-Front Skirt
Dark denim button-front skirts offer a slimming effect due to the rich wash and became popular during the free-spirited 1970s boho wave. A straight line of buttons adds length to the frame. This skirt pairs easily across styles, making it one of the most adaptable options in a wardrobe.
How I Style: Denim Front Button Skirt by jay
Now, over to easy styling moves that enhance your skirts.
1. Flowy Blouse Cinched At The Waist
A flowy blouse shaped at the waist shifts focus upward and helps balance proportions. The soft folds skim over the stomach, offering subtle coverage when combined with a high-rise skirt. A partially cinched hem or side knot creates an effortless, editorial finish without looking overdone.
Isaac Mizrahi Live! Flowy Crinkle Satin Button Front Blouse on QVC by QVCtv
2. Add A Cropped Denim Jacket
This style's roots trace back to 19th-century military fashion. A cropped denim jacket shapes the waistline and adds structure to your look. It breaks the torso visually, creating an elongated effect, and complements both flowy skirts and fitted tops.
HOW TO STYLE DENIM JACKETS FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2020 |CROPPED JEANS JACKET by Sidia Chin
3. Pair With A Fitted Tank And Long Kimono
Layering adds visual interest and creates flattering body-skimming shapes. Pairing a fitted tank with a long kimono highlights curves while disguising the midsection. This combo works perfectly for both day and night events.
4. Use A Wide Statement Belt
Historically, belts carried tools before becoming a fashion essential. A wide statement belt tightens the waist and sculpts your silhouette. It shifts attention away from the belly area while adding personality and texture to your outfit.
5. Match With A Peplum Top
Peplum tops feature flares that conceal the tummy without adding bulk. They create a natural hourglass shape and pair beautifully with pencil skirts. The peplum style has origins in ancient Greek tunics, offering timeless elegance.
6. Wear A Structured Blazer
Wearing a structured blazer instantly polishes any look and introduces vertical lines. It hides the midsection while promoting better posture. Strong-shouldered blazers, once exclusively menswear until the 1920s, now balance body shape for everyone.
7. Go Monochrome Head-To-Toe
Dressing in monochrome head to toe produces a slimming, elongated silhouette. This style keeps the focus on your overall shape rather than your tummy. It works in bold hues or neutrals and remains a powerful runway styling technique.
8. Try A Front-Knot Tee Or Blouse
This style pairs best with A-line or wrap skirts. A front-knot tee or blouse directs attention upward and highlights the waist. It brings a casual and trendy feel to the skirt and was popularized during the aerobics craze of the 1980s.
9. Choose Pointed-Toe Shoes
Pointed-toe shoes lengthen the legs and balance out fuller midsections. They form a seamless line from the waist down to the foot. Their history traces back to medieval royalty, and these shoes work effortlessly with nearly every skirt style.
10. Add A Statement Necklace Or Earrings
Statement jewelry gained popularity during the 1920s flapper era. They add flair to any outfit without changing the waistline's shape. Statement necklaces or earrings draw the eye upward, diverting focus from the stomach, and this accessory style suits casual and formal looks alike.
