Big Stomach? No Problem! The Ultimate Guide to Finding Jeans That Flatter

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Our bodies come in different shapes and sizes. It’s easy to think we can put our body types in boxes.

While most brands label their clothes with ‘petite,’ ‘tall,’ and ‘plus-size’ to describe the women they’re intended to be designed for, these terms are more generic than you think.

Plus-size bodies don’t all look the same. It all depends on how your body carries your weight. Some plus-size women carry this weight in their stomachs.

If your body type is like this, you might struggle to find jeans that work for you. You want a silhouette that tucks in your stomach but doesn’t feel too restrictive. It can feel even harder if your legs are relatively slim compared to your stomach.

Essential jeans for women with larger stomachs, offering comfort and a flattering fitEssential jeans for women with larger stomachs, offering comfort and a flattering fit (Credit: Antonovskay Anzhella / Shutterstock)

We’re sharing our top tips on how to find the best plus-size jeans for women with big stomachs, including how to use jeans to hide your stomach.

If you’re searching for your new hero jeans, you’ve come to the right place. Please read our recommendations for the best jeans and which ones to avoid.

Strategies for Choosing Jeans that Flatter a Larger Stomach

You might think that jeans will make everyone see your lumps and bumps. If you’re feeling conscious about your stomach, investing in a pair of well-fitting jeans can be the solution you’re looking for.

High-waisted jeans are your best friend as a plus-size gal. The silhouette helps lift and tuck in your stomach to give you a smoother look.

When the jeans work to compress your stomach, you want to use a loose-fitting top or one with a draped silhouette to give you a more hourglass figure.

Christina Hendricks, Khloe Kardashian, and Amy Schumer illustrate stylish jeans options for plus-size figuresChristina Hendricks, Khloe Kardashian, and Amy Schumer illustrate stylish jeans options for plus-size figures (Credit: Michael Simon / Liam Goodner / Shutterstock / Janet Mayer / Startraksphoto)

If you feel like you need a little extra support, invest in shapewear to style under your jeans. While shapewear is always a go-to, it works especially well with jeans as you don’t have to worry about them being visible under your clothes.

Selecting the Right Jeans: What to Embrace and What to Avoid

Finding the right pair of jeans often involves knowing what styles to avoid. Baggy jeans and wide-leg silhouettes are a no-go with this body type. You want to choose jeans that are the right size and silhouette.

In general, your jeans should end at ankle length. Jeans with a longer inseam will make you appear shorter and rounder in shape.

High-rise jeans are your ride-or-die. These jeans are perfect for plus-size women because the waistband sits above your stomach while pulling in your curves.

Similarly, you want to avoid low-rise jeans at all costs. The waistline will sit below your stomach, accentuating its size and making you appear shorter.

High-rise ankle-length jeans, ideal for plus-size women, enhance curves and create a slimmer appearanceHigh-rise ankle-length jeans, ideal for plus-size women, enhance curves and create a slimmer appearance (Credit: Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock)

You also want to avoid jeans made with a non-stretch fabric. This type of denim will cling to your stomach instead of creating a smoothing effect.

Most brands specializing in plus-size jeans use innovative fabrics that offer extra stretch to give you a custom fit for your body type.

Darker shades of denim are your best friend when trying to hide a big stomach. Solid-color jeans are also a great choice as they naturally elongate your figure and don’t draw attention to your waistline.

Darker denim shades offer a slimming effect and help conceal a larger stomachDarker denim shades offer a slimming effect and help conceal a larger stomach (Credit: Staras / MaxShutter / Oleksandr Nagaiets / Shutterstock)

If you have skinny legs, you want to look for jeans that have a straight-leg silhouette. It helps to draw attention away from your stomach and towards your legs.

You can also help to accentuate and elongate your legs by adding a pair of heels or ankle boots to your look.

Top Jeans Picks for Plus-Size Women with Big Stomachs and Slim Legs

The right jeans can instantly transform your closet. They’re amongst the most versatile pieces you can invest in. You could live in a pair of jeans. A well-fitting pair will take you from a day at the office to a night out with your friends.

We’re sharing a few of the best jeans to wear if you have a big stomach. These silhouettes offer style without compromising on comfort, including styles you could wear with or without a belt.

1. Universal Standard – Seine High-Rise Skinny Jeans 32-inch, $98

This is the style for you if you want jeans that will keep you supported all day long. Universal Standard offers a size-inclusive denim range with sizing that ‘reflects the true bell curve of the average person’.

The ‘Seine’ style is available in a regular, tall, petite, and ankle-zip inseam with a range of subtle neutral denim washes.

Seine jeans, designed with a high waist and invisible stretch, ensure comfort and a perfect fit every timeSeine jeans, designed with a high waist and invisible stretch, ensure comfort and a perfect fit every time

Universal Standard recommends sizing down when purchasing this style. They’re designed with an invisible built-in stretch with a high-waisted silhouette that tucks in your stomach while flattering your leg shape.

2. Torrid – Bombshell Skinny Jeans, $89.50

Torrid is a womenswear brand that offers sizes 10 to 30. The ‘Bombshell’ high-rise silhouette offers a super skinny fit from hip to ankle.

What makes these jeans the perfect investment is their gap-proof elastic waistband that keeps your jeans in place all day long.

The Bombshell jeans are a pair of comfortable high-waist super skinny jeans that feature gap-proof elastic waistband for all-day comfortThe Bombshell jeans are a pair of comfortable high-waist super skinny jeans that feature gap-proof elastic waistband for all-day comfort

The ‘Bombshell’ jeans offer comfort and compression to pull in your stomach and accentuate your curves without lacking shape around your bum.

The design also incorporates front-smoothing panels and booty-shaping stitching to hug your curves.

3. Good American – Good Waist, $139

Good American is one of the most popular brands when it comes to plus-size jeans. With its association with Khloe Kardashian, Good American is a size-inclusive denim brand that promises to give women perfectly fitting jeans.

The ‘Good Waist’ solves the usual gapping issue at the back of the jeans that often occurs with plus-size styles.

Good American's ultimate waist shaper skinny jeans, the Good Waist has super high rise and super skinny fit and a gap-proof waistbandGood American’s ultimate waist shaper skinny jeans, the Good Waist has a super high rise and super skinny fit and a gap-proof waistband

What we love about the Good Waist jeans is that they’re available in several styles. You can choose the classic ‘Good Waist’ style or be edgier with cut-outs by choosing the ‘Chew Hem’ style.

What these three jeans have in common is their high-waist, dark denim color options, and stretch fabric. These are the three features you want to look for when shopping for plus-size jeans for women with big stomachs.

What plus-size jeans are you loving right now?