Spring (Photo credit: Julia Folsom)
Winter is one of the worst times of the year—at least in terms of weight gain. Not only do you have to worry about the nonstop holidays and the eating associated with them, but it’s also remarkably harder to exercise when you’re stuck inside. Finding effective, and frugal, ways to hide any resulting weight gain, fortunately, is possible for anyone with a keen fashion sense, and a good shopping strategy. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Make sure you’re shopping for the right size
Many people make the same mistake over and over: They buy clothes in the size they wish they were, or perhaps the size they’re sure they’ll be just after this next diet. Don’t torture yourself and spend money on clothes you may never wear. Not only will you be unhappy with your look, but you will have also wasted your hard-earned cash in the process!
Buy clothes in the size that actually fits you. If your diet is successful, you can reward yourself with a completely new wardrobe later. For now, focus on buying correctly sized outfits to avoid clothes that cling in unseemly places. Bonus points if you can find these items on sale!
Choose outfits that give your stomach a little room to breathe
Many clothing items look fantastic without putting an emphasis on your midsection; think empire waists or wrap dresses. When shopping, look specifically for pieces that gracefully glide over your stomach without drawing attention to it. People will see your fabulous style rather than your figure flaws.
Although the renowned designer Diane von Furstenberg is known for having created the wrap dress back in the 70s, you can find these classic items for far less than designer prices. Check out stores like Walmart, Target and T.J. Maxx for modern iterations of this figure-flattering staple.
Dress up your outfits
Nothing helps to draw attention away from body parts you’d rather hide better than a few carefully selected pieces of jewelry. When you’re out shopping, look for deals on long, dangling necklaces, fashionable bracelets, brightly colored headbands and even earrings to help show off your sense of style and draw any eyes away from the winter bulge. Wraps and scarves can also add color to your look while simultaneously keeping attention away from any problem areas. Fashionable accessories like these can all be found for relatively cheap, so stock up to add some flare to your everyday wardrobe.
Select the proper undergarments
It’s amazing what well fitting, tummy-tucking shapewear can do. These pieces are great for helping to smooth out the entire midsection and holding in any muffin tops that might otherwise spill over. This is another area where it’s critical to try things on in the store and choose your proper size to make sure the garment is comfortable.
Once you’ve found a favorite brand and style and figured out your size, look for online deals on shapewear when you need to restock your collection. One great way to find bargains online is to google the name of the store or brand you like and the word “coupons” This will turn up all sorts of money-saving coupon codes to help you save on your favorite items.
Watch how you present yourself
In a cruel twist of irony, as most of us begin to feel bad about our figure, we begin to slouch even more – probably in a subconscious attempt to hide our growing waistlines. Most of us never learned proper posture to begin with, which only adds to the problem. It’s important to remember, however, that proper posture can help you hide your tummy.
Do an experiment. Stand in front of the mirror and slouch with your shoulders rounded, using little midsection control. Now straighten up with your shoulders back and midsection straight. Proper posture also helps you look more confident, which compensates for a less-than-perfect figure any day – and standing tall is completely free!
No one likes to gain weight, but the winter months often create a perfect storm to cause those numbers on the scale to creep upward. To help hide the problem, proper fashion choices and posture can go a long way in helping you maintain your confidence and sense of style. Shopping for – and saving money on – figure-flattering clothing, and formulating an overall strategy to complement your body shape, are the keys to getting through the winter with a positive body image.
