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The holidays are in full swing. In addition to household chores, it is full of blessings, gifts, guests and delicious food.
Eating more means gaining weight, right? But who cares about that when there’s savory turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, and decadent pumpkin pie on the table?
It’s easy to overdo it, and stretchy pants are becoming our best friends. For some of us, feeling stylish and confident at crowded parties, family gatherings, or posing for photos can be overwhelming.
But… there’s no need to worry – we’ve got practical tips on how to hide your holiday gain in style, so you won’t regret that extra slice of pie…
Understanding vacation weight gain
Weight gain is typical around Thanksgiving and New Years. Most people gain about 1-2 pounds during this time. Diet and exercise habits affect this number.
There’s a lot behind this weight gain:
- Overeating: Social pressure and greater availability of food can lead to overeating
- Emotional eating: Some people overeat to cope with stress, anxiety and emotional triggers
- Poor choice of food: Food with a high sugar, calorie and fat content fills the holiday table a lot
- Lack of sleep: Stress and disturbed sleep can affect hunger hormones
- Reduced physical activity: Busy schedules, cold weather, and holiday commitments can throw a wrench into your routine
- Stress: Giving gifts, socializing and meeting expectations can stress you out
- Social eating habits: During holiday functions, food-centered traditions and distractions encourage mindless eating and difficulty resisting temptation.
It’s easy to lose track of our healthy habits while attending festive parties, gatherings and family meals. And it’s totally fine!
Now that we know how the holidays can affect weight gain, let’s move on to the tips.
Style tips to cover up weight gain
1. Choose fabrics that work
Medium weight fabrics are ideal because they cover well without clinging to the body. The slimming effect it will give will distract from all the extra pounds.
What to choose:
- Heavy and thick fabrics such as wool, velvet or corduroy
- Stretchy fabrics such as spandex or jersey are comfortable and flexible
- Dark colors and patterns will create a slimming effect
What to avoid:
- Thin and sheer fabrics that hug the body
- Bulky materials like puffy coats and thick sweaters
- Overly pleated fabrics draw attention to areas you may be self-conscious about
2. Invest in good underwear
A confident look starts from within – literally! Proper underwear will create a smooth, seamless silhouette under your holiday attire, minimizing any visible lines. Choose a fabric that breathes, like cotton.
Make sure your underwear isn’t too loose or tight – so you feel comfortable all day, improve your posture and feel less irritated.
3. Accept the dresses
Dresses are perfect for hiding holiday weight gain. They are incredibly comfortable, especially if you choose a flowy or stretchy fabric. It’s just one piece of clothing and it’s good to go with some accessories and shoes.
A-line, empire waist, wrap and maxi dresses are great options. These styles skim across the body, so there will be no muffin tops or plunging waistbands. And they are comfortable too!
4. Wear fitted tops
Choose well-fitting styles that create clean lines, not oversized pieces that can look tacky. Peplum tops and tunics with V-necks and wide necklines look great.
Also, choose tops with unique design details such as ruffles, mock wraps or asymmetric details – apart from adding visual appeal, they cleverly camouflage the midsection from festive delights.
5. Try on a high-waisted bottom
High-rise jeans and trousers create a slimming effect. They sit higher on the waist and offer gentle compression that smoothes the midsection. A great way to deal with holiday weight gain.
Choose wide leg styles as they soften the lines of the hips and thighs to make them look more proportional. They do not stick to the legs, which makes them ideal for everyday wear, especially during the holidays.
6. Use color strategically
Monochrome clothing is the ideal choice to create an elongating effect on the body. Dark colors like black, maroon, dark green and navy blue are a timeless trick to create a slimming effect.
Color blocking works when used strategically. Wear darker shades on areas you want to hide, such as the midsection, while using lighter colors on areas you want to pop, such as the neckline or sleeves.
Bright accessories play up dark clothes without drawing attention to flaws. Wear bright scarves, bags or jewelry.
7. Layer wisely
Layering can help you create a more defined silhouette and add to your overall look. Cardigans or structured jackets add dimension while covering up.
Try a shorter jacket that hits just above the hip. This style is especially attractive for hourglass figures, as it breaks up the center part and hides any unwanted bulges. Plus, it draws attention to your chest and shoulders.
8. Add accessories intelligently
Bold necklaces, hair clips, colorful scarves or hats effortlessly draw attention to the upper body.
Adding accessories is all about proportions. Pieces that are too big can overwhelm your frame, making you look even bigger. On the other hand, fine accessories can get lost on a curvy figure. A balanced look comes from accessories that match your frame.
9. Stick to small patterns
Small, delicate prints or vertical stripes can dramatically elongate and slim your figure.
At the same time, avoid bold prints or large patterns such as large flowers or bold geometrics, as they can overwhelm the figure. These patterns are visually bulky and make your body look bigger.
10. Fasten it with a belt
Belts break up the midsection and define your top and bottom halves, perfectly hiding your holiday weight gain.
A wide leather belt or signature buckle is good for concealing extra padding. Belt over a cardigan or jacket for a slimmer, longer look. For a graceful feminine figure, you can also wear a belt over dresses or skirts.
11. Wear the right shoes
Shoes that are too big can certainly add visible weight to your legs, making them look shorter and fatter. To maintain the lengthening effect, go for dressier shoes. Heels and flat toes work best here.
If you’re not a fan of high heels, a lower profile or block heel will still look cute while using less energy. For a more casual approach, slip-on sneakers, moccasins or ballet flats in neutral colors are perfect.
12. Make sure your clothes fit
Finding a good tailor makes all the difference. A professional can alter your clothes to fit your body, show off your shape and hide problem areas.
- Tailor your pants for a looser fit around the hips and thighs. Narrow the legs for a slender effect.
- also fitted dresses they can be changed to A-lines. This will give you more room and balance around your waist and hips.
- For tops and dresses that don’t fit right around the waist, add a custom belt to slim it down.
- If you have shorter shirts that tend to ride up, consider getting them tailored for a longer length
- Invest in versatile pieces that are easy to tailor, such as shift dresses, blouses or blazers. By changing these staples, you can stay fashionable and adapt to the changing shape of your body.
13. Confidence is everything
After a few weeks of enjoying the holiday treats, it’s easy to slip into negative self-talk and body shaming. But trust us: it’s time to change that mindset.
Instead of fighting for a few extra pounds, take it easy and:
- Stand tall with your shoulders back and chin up
- Prioritize the fit of your clothing over the size on the tag
- Wear accessories that make you feel powerful
- Have a genuine smile
- Focus on yourself and let go of negative comparisons
- Take a moment to honor the parts of yourself that you love
As you embrace your post-holiday body and exude confidence, you’ll be surprised how few people notice those extra pounds.
Conclusion
The post-holiday blues are real, and so is the extra weight we often gain during the holiday season. But guess what: that’s totally normal!
And with a few simple style modifications, you can confidently wear your favorite outfits as you work to get back to your pre-holiday self.
After all, fashion is more about feeling good in what you wear than just looking good.
So allow yourself to indulge (a little) and use these style tips to hide holiday weight gain and keep you going until you’re ready to tone up again.
Let’s move on to you! Share your personal style tips, favorite fashion hacks, or personal experience managing holiday weight gain through fashion in the comments below! Share this article with someone who needs it!
