Fashion Fridays, Kuel Life Thought Leader: Tracy Gold
If you’ve ever Googled how to wear a belt with a menopause belly, girlfriend, you are not alone.
The belt can feel like your best friend, or your worst enemy, when your body is going through perimenopausal and menopausal shifts. But here’s the truth: when styled right, a belt is not the enemy. In fact, it can become your secret weapon.
Let me show you how.
Why Belting Is A Game-Changer In Midlife:
You don’t need to ditch style just because your waistline isn’t what it used to be. Defining the waist remains one of the most effective styling tools we have, especially for midlife bodies. And belts make that possible with minimal effort.
The trick? You have to wear the right belt, in the right way, on the right clothing. Let’s break it down.
3 Common Mistakes Women Make With Belts (And How To Fix Them)
1. Wearing Your Belt Too Low
This is the number one mistake I see. Wearing a belt at your hip or low on your belly draws attention exactly where you don’t want it. Instead, move it up—to your natural waistline or slightly above. This lifts the eye and visually lengthens your legs. Magic.
2. Belting Clothes That Are the Wrong Shape
If your dress is straight-down-and-boxy, a belt isn’t going to help, it’ll just add bulk. Instead, look for pieces with some natural shaping or flare below the waist. That structure + a well-placed belt? Chef’s kiss.
3. Ignoring Fabric Volume
Voluminous tops or dresses can balloon in awkward places when belted. Fix this by smoothing the fabric and arranging volume where it flatters, centered in front or evenly distributed. A few gathers? Yes. A lumpy backside? No, thanks.
Tracy’s 4 Belt Secrets For The Menopause Belly:
- Go fabric, not leather. Fabric belts curve and flex with your shape without digging in. Leather can feel stiff and unforgiving, exactly what we don’t need during a bloaty day.
- Look for a curved cut. My favorite belts dip lower in the front and rise in the back to reduce bulk and emphasize a waist, even if it’s gone a little incognito.
- Check your bra. Yes, really. If “the girls” are sitting too low, it shrinks the space between your bust and your belly, making belts tough to place. The right bra lifts and creates a clear waistline again.
- Go narrow if you’re short-waisted. If you don’t have a lot of vertical real estate between bust and hips, fold wider belts to make them narrower. You’ll still get the effect without eating up your whole midsection.
When To Ditch The Belt (Yes, Sometimes That’s The Answer):
If your jeans need a belt but the bulk throws off your outfit? Try a flat, narrow belt or ditch it altogether and do a gentle half-tuck with your top. If you’re wearing high-waisted pants? A belt can enhance your shape, but only if you’re tucking in and not layering bulk over bulk.
You Deserve To Feel Stylish—Menopause Belly Or Not:
Learning how to wear a belt with a menopause belly isn’t about hiding, it’s about styling smarter. With a few simple tweaks, your belt becomes your ally, not your adversary. So don’t write them off just yet, girlfriend.
Need help figuring out your body’s best belt-and-style combo? I offer 1:1 sessions—virtual or in-person in NYC. Let’s make style feel fun (and flattering) again.
Checkout the video for more details:
;
Did you enjoy this article? Become a Kuel Life Member today to support our Community. Sign-up for our Sunday newsletter and get your expert content delivered straight to your inbox.
About the Author:
Tracy is a Menopause Style Expert, Fashion Designer, and Show Host. With two decades of experience in styling women of different body shapes and sizes, along with her personal journey through perimenopause, she founded Tracy Gold New York. Recognizing the profound effect clothing can have on a woman’s body image at midlife, she developed this brand, which offers a fun and customizable collection designed to adapt to a woman’s body changes with style. Need some help discovering what works for your body now https://tracygoldfashiontips.com/
