A pencil skirt isn’t just reserved for flat stomachs.
There’s nothing like the feeling of slipping on a pencil skirt that makes you feel good. These skirts will hug your waist and bottom–flattering your body and curves.
You can’t deny that a pencil skirt is one of the sexiest and empowering pieces that a woman can wear. However, you might feel uncomfortable and self-conscious if you have a large stomach.
Don’t be discouraged! Having a stomach is natural and there’s plenty of ways to style a pencil skirt, so that it doesn’t emphasize that part of your body.
You’ll find out exactly how to wear a pencil skirt with a tummy (belly fat be gone!) in this article.

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In This Post ➜
- How Do You Hide A Big Belly In A Skirt?
- Skirts Styles To Hide A Tummy
- Peplum Pencil Skirt
- Mermaid Hem Pencil Skirts
- Choose Structured Or Stiff Fabric
- Ruched Skirts
- Side Slit To Distract
- Wrap Skirts
- Wide Elastic Waistbands
- Color Block Skirts
- Wear Darker Colors To Slim Down
- Style Tips: How To Wear A Skirt With A Big Belly
- Shapewear For Pencil Skirt
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Hide A Big Belly In A Skirt?
A big belly doesn’t mean you have to retire your cute pencil skirts. In fact, it’s actually time to get creative in how you wear and style a skirt with a big belly.
It’s all about finding the pencil skirt that will flatter your body shape and visually direct attention away from your belly. The way you style and coordinate a pencil skirt makes a huge difference.
I have tips on what pencil skirt styles are the most flattering and ways to cover up your protruding tummy.
It doesn’t matter what size your tummy is–you’ll be ready to rock a pencil skirt whenever you want. Keep reading to find out how to wear a pencil skirt with a tummy!
Skirts Styles To Hide A Tummy
The truth is that not all pencil skirts are equal. Some pencil skirt designs or styles will look more flattering with a tummy than others.
A skirts’ design and fabric really makes a difference. Keep that in mind when you’re learning how to wear a skirt with a belly.
Here’s a few types of skirts to look for when searching for ways on how to wear a pencil skirt with a tummy.
Related: Skirt Length 101: Decoding Skirt Lengths According To Your Height
Peplum Pencil Skirt
These skirts are classy and will immediately make you look put together. Not to mention the fact that they have a built-in waist area that flows outward to hide any belly fat.
This type of skirt is one of my absolute favorites to hide any bloatedness or food babies. Take note of these skirts that hide belly fat like a pro.
It’s one of the best pencil skirts for a bug tummy. A peplum skirt is great for formal events and office wear.
Mermaid Hem Pencil Skirts
A gorgeous outward flair at the bottom of a pencil skirt is not only feminine and flirty, but it also draws the attention away from the belly.
The volume that it creates at the hem also balances out a larger belly too. It’s such a fun detail that’s so flattering.

High Waisted Lace Peplum Midi Pencil Skirt
Choose Structured Or Stiff Fabric
Looking for more ways on how to hide a tummy in a pencil skirt. Believe it or not, but the fabric you wear can either emphasize a tummy or hide it.
Soft fabric, such as cotton, are body hugging, but they can also accentuate a large belly.
Instead, look for structured or stiffer fabrics that hold their shape, such as denim, faux leather, or tweed. These fabrics will smooth over a tummy–making you appear slimmer.
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Ruched Skirts
The ruched skirt is the master of illusion when it comes to hiding a tummy. The bunched fabric covers the stomach and even slims down the figure.
Get a cute ruched skirts that hide belly fat and wear them to pretty much any type of event.
It’s stylish and incredibly flattering. You’re missing out if you don’t own one already!
Side Slit To Distract
A side slit is not only a sexy design detail, but it also helps direct attention away from the tummy area.
Instead, the attention is more focused on your legs. It even visually elongates your legs too!
It’s a great way to add sultry element to an outfit when trying to figure out how to wear a skirt with a belly. 😉

Mireya Black Vegan Leather Pencil Skirt
Wrap Skirts
A wrap skirt is more forgiving on a protruding stomach. They skim over the tummy area nicely without accentuating the stomach area.
This helps visually hide any bumps and curves that you don’t want to emphasize. It’s one of the best pencil skirts for a bug tummy and it’s very stylish!
Related: How To Wear Long Skirts Without Looking Frumpy + 7 Outfit Ideas!
Wide Elastic Waistbands
Thick elastic waistbands not only help cinch in the waist area, but they also have the added benefit of camouflaging a tummy.
The elastic waistband will tuck in your belly fat. Plus, they’re stretchy, so it’s incredibly forgiving. If you’re looking for easy ways on how to hide a tummy in a pencil skirt, this is it! It’s one of the easiest types of skirts that hide belly fat.
You won’t need to worry when you have a “food baby” because the elastic band will stretch with you!
Color Block Skirts
When color blocking is used correctly, it can create the illusion of a slimmer figure and emphasize curves. Here’s how to wear a skirt with a belly by using color to your advantage.
In this instance, you want to look for skirts with dark color block panels on the sides of the skirt.
This color blocking technique makes you appear thinner and helps direct attention away from the tummy. Color block skirts are one of the best pencil skirts for a bug tummy too!
Wear Darker Colors To Slim Down
You might have heard that black is a slimming color before. I’m here to reinforce this, especially if you’re wondering how to wear a pencil skirt with a tummy and make belly fat dissappear.
Dark colors, such as black or navy blue, are slimming and masks your flaws. Lighter and brighter colors tend to draw attention to unwanted curves.
Style Tips: How To Wear A Skirt With A Big Belly
Knowing what type of pencil skirt to wear with a tummy is just one part of the battle. It also helps to know how to style a pencil skirt to further conceal a big belly.
Here’s a few tips on how to look thinner in a pencil skirt.
Long Top & Tuck Out
This trick might be a no-brainer, but it’s simple and effective too. Just wear a longer top and leave it untucked over the pencil skirt.
The longer top will conceal your belly area, so you won’t need to worry about your stomach showing at all. Get creative by pairing a cropped sweater over a longer dress shirt for a layered effect.
Long Scarf
When in doubt, use accessories to your advantage! In this case, try a long scarf that reaches to cover your upper stomach.
The scarf will help hide a large tummy. It also helps add a pop of color and texture to your outfit.
Monochrome Outfit
Here’s another easy strategy on how to hide a tummy in a pencil skirt. A monochrome outfit is incredibly stylish and classy. It also has the added benefit of making you appear taller and slimmer because the single color unifies the figure.
Try playing around with similar shades of the same color and different textures in the same outfit. This will make your outfit more interesting.
Wear Leggings
Leggings will not only keep you legs warm in the winter, but they can also suck in your tummy without it feeling uncomfortable.
Pair high-waisted leggings with a high-waisted pencil skirt for the ultimate slimming effect.
Wear Heels
Heels look great with pencil skirts and they have many benefits too. They make you appear taller and your legs look longer.
It’s a great way to shift attention away from your stomach to your legs. Any heel from stiletto heels to block heels will work for this effect.
Shapewear For Pencil Skirt
Shapewear is one of those things that I’m so glad exists! They instantly smooth out any unwanted curves, so that a pencil skirt will fit beautifully on you. If you’re trying to fugure out how to wear a skirt with a belly, shapewear is your best friend.
It doesn’t matter if you’re plus size or thin, all of us could benefit from it! Shapewear is worn under your clothes and helps tuck in and smooth out the tummy area.
You won’t have to worry about any fat rolls showing through your pencil skirt anymore. It’ll even cinch in your waist area for that hourglass body effect.
Mid-thigh shapewear will also smooth and shape your bum, hips, and thighs too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Body Shape Can Wear A Pencil Skirt?
Pencil skirts are universally flattering on all body shapes. Therefore, anyone can rock a pencil skirt!
They’re very flattering because they can highlight and create curves. An hourglass figure can wear a pencil skirt to highlight the curves they already have.
A rectangle body shape should look for high-waisted peplum pencil skirts to help create the illusion of curves. The high-waist will accentuate the waist and bust line, while the peplum will add curves at the hip area.
The pear shaped bodies have fuller hips and thighs, so they should look for pencil skirts that taper in. This will help balance out the silhouette.
Apple body shapes should look for skirts with a wide waistband to accentuate the waist and smooth out any unwanted curves.
How Do I Wear A Pencil Skirt For Work?
Pencil skirts are very classy and tend to look more formal, so they’re perfect as workwear! In this case, the length of the pencil skirt matters.
You’ll want to wear longer pencil skirts, such as knee-length or midi pencil skirts. Also, avoid any trendy embellishments and denim fabric. Keep the pencil skirt simple, so that it’s office appropriate.
If your pencil skirt has a slide slit, make sure the slit isn’t too high up so that you don’t expose too much skin. Keep the pencil skirt modest so that it’s work appropriate.
How Tight Should A Pencil Skirt Be?
Pencil skirts are designed to be body hugging. It doesn’t matter what body shape or height you are–they are supposed to fit snug to your sides and bottom.
Here’s a quick and easy test to see if your pencil skirt is way too tight.
- Sit down and stand up with your pencil skirt.
- Check to see if the skirt bunched up.
- If the skirt bunches up, this means that the skirt is too tight.
Never let your stomach stop you from wearing a cute pencil skirt. Now you’re armed with the techniques on how to wear a pencil skirt with a tummy (make belly fat disappear)!
Disclosure: Vain Affair is reader-supported. When you buy through affiliate links on our website, we’ll make a small commission, without impacting your price. Thank you. Learn more.
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