When it comes to body shapes, the conversation tends to get stuck at hourglass, pear, or apple. However, for so many women โ especially those with softer midsections โ thereโs another shape that deserves more style strategies: the B-shaped belly. Learning how to style your B-shaped belly can open up a world of fashion choices that actually fit and flatter your body, whether youโre straight size, midsize, or plus size.
Picture the letter B: a midsection thatโs fuller at both the upper and lower belly, with a slight indentation across the middle. Itโs natural. Itโs normal. And it has absolutely nothing to do with your size.
Discussions about B-shaped bellies have steadily gained momentum in body-positive online spaces. Creators like Corissa Enneking of FatGirlFlow spotlighted the shape as early as 2019 on her blog, while bloggers like The Plus Size Prep discussed B-shaped bellies in plus size styling advice posts by 2022. On TikTok, the hashtag #BShapedBelly has seen consistent growth between 2021 and 2024, with users sharing tips, try-ons, and body positivity posts that continue to normalize this body type across social media. Yet despite growing visibility, traditional fashion media has been slow to offer intentional style guidance โ until now.
You can have a B-shaped belly if youโre a size 6, a size 16, or a size 26. It can be a result of genetics, muscle structure, pregnancy, or just the way your bodyโs beautiful blueprint was drawn up. But while the internet can sometimes make it seem like every plus size outfit should magically โsmooth everything out,โ the real tea is: you donโt need to hide a B-shaped belly. You just need to style it.
Hereโs how curvy and plus size women can style their B-shaped bellies โ and actually feel good doing it.
1. Start With Silhouettes That Celebrate You
When styling a B-shaped belly, the goal isnโt to erase your shape โ itโs to work with it in a way that feels effortless and flattering. The best silhouettes create movement around your midsection without cutting you off or clinging in uncomfortable places.
Empire waist dresses are a strong first choice. Sitting just below the bust, they highlight the upper body while allowing the fabric to drape loosely over the stomach area. This draws the eye upward and softens the midsection without squeezing it.
Wrap dresses are another hero piece. Their adjustable ties let you control exactly where you want to define your waist, offering a customized fit that honors your shape instead of fighting it. Plus, the V-neck is often built into wrap styles, elongating the neckline beautifully.
When it comes to bottoms, A-line skirts and flowy, high-waisted trousers are key. A-line skirts provide structure at the top before gently flaring out, naturally balancing the belly without drawing attention to it. Soft, wide-legged trousers with a flexible waistband do the same โ offering ease, comfort, and effortless polish.
If youโre looking for clothes for a B-shaped belly that combine ease and structure beautifully, check out Altar for floaty empire dresses, Wray NYC for wrap styles that celebrate curves, and Zelie for She for draped skirts and wide-leg sets.
2. Fabric Is Half the Battle
Not all fabrics are created equal when it comes to styling a B-shaped belly. Texture and structure can make or break an outfit.
Stiff fabrics โ like thick cotton poplin or rigid denim โ can create unwanted folds and creases across the midsection, making the belly more pronounced in ways you might not love. On the other hand, super-thin fabrics can cling awkwardly, outlining every curve without offering enough support.
The sweet spot? Medium-weight knits, soft stretch wovens, and structured jerseys. These materials offer movement without being too clingy and give just enough hold to flatter your natural shape.
Another insider tip: ruched fabrics โ intentional gathers stitched into garments โ can work wonders. Strategic ruching allows the fabric to move with the body and can visually soften the midsection without creating bulk.
For plus size fashion for a B-shaped stomach that feels effortless and luxurious, Zelie for She nails it with ruched pieces, while Jibri offers heavier stretch fabrics that drape with intention and style.
3. Make Your Waist Your Own
One of the biggest myths about a B-shaped belly is that you donโt have a waist. Thatโs a lie โ you do. It just might sit higher or lower than traditional clothing patterns assume.
To play up your natural shape, focus on belting dresses, adding cropped jackets, or choosing garments with built-in waist details. Look for styles that allow you to define your waist where you feel it, not where fashion rules tell you it should be.
Belting a flowy dress just under the bust or wearing a structured top that hits right at your natural waist can make a huge difference in how proportional and confident you feel. Even high-rise jeans can work โ as long as they have a wide, flexible waistband that doesnโt dig in or create harsh lines.
For fashion tips for a B-shaped body that highlight your waist without restriction, Jibri offers stunning belted dresses and tops, while Lane Bryant provides denim options with enough stretch to sit comfortably over a fuller midsection.
4. Embrace Strategic Layering
Layering isnโt about hiding your body โ itโs about building shapes and adding intentional dimension.
An open cardigan, a lightweight duster, or a structured blazer can frame your body in a way that feels elevated. Layers create visual interest and movement without squeezing or overwhelming your silhouette.
To avoid feeling weighed down, play with proportions: a cropped jacket over a longer tunic, or a belted blazer over a floaty dress, can give you a put-together look that feels powerful instead of bulky.
Showing off some skin? Swim dresses are taking over this summer!
For quality outerwear and layering pieces that know how to highlight curves, Tanya Taylor offers colorful, structured blazers and jackets that complement without confining.
5. Confidence Is the Best Accessory
Hereโs the truth: no cut, fabric, or silhouette will matter if you donโt believe you deserve to be seen. Styling a B-shaped belly โ especially as a curvy or plus size woman โ is about refusing to minimize yourself.
You have every right to wear a bodycon, a crop top, a wide-leg pant, or a bold printed maxi if you want to. Itโs not about dressing smaller โ itโs about dressing happier.
Owning your style means embracing every curve, every line, and every beautiful part of you โ belly included. Fashion should never feel like a punishment or a hiding game. It should feel like an extension of the way you move through the world: bold, brilliant, and unapologetically you.
At the end of the day, your B-shaped belly isnโt a flaw. Itโs part of your story โ and it deserves to be styled, celebrated, and shown off with pride.
