10 Fashion Tips for Yo-Yo Dieters

4. If you’re a bottom gainer you need volume below the waist

Start collecting fashionable pieces that will always take your side, like full A-line skirts, fit-and-flare dresses and wide-leg, ankle-cropped pants.

Designer Donna Karan and Patrika Darbo in asymmetric tunics over black pants.

Brian Ach/Getty Images for Urban Zen; Brandon Williams/Getty Images

5. If you’re a belly gainer, you need room at the waist and tummy

A bigger belly is a menopausal meddler. Shift dresses and tunics mean no worries about where your waist begins or whether it even exists! Stay away from belts, belted anything and tuck-in tops. Layer longer tanks under shorter wider tops for a fashionable solution. Keep pants slim but opt for those with total or partial elastic waistbands, or leggings (see tip No. 8). 

Kym Whitley in a pale lavender wrap top and canary yellow pants, Bronwyn Berry in a metallic wrap dress.

Greg Doherty/Getty Images; Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

6. If you’re a top gainer, you need shaping above the waist

Wrap-style shirts, blouses and dresses sculpt your body to an X for a more defined shape and balanced top and bottom proportions. Real wraps or their faux-wrap sisters deliver a strong V neckline that has a torso-lengthening, shoulder-strengthening visual effect. The tie waist (or in some cases an invisible elastic waist) is adjustable to expand and retract as your weight changes.

Effie T. Brown wearing black head to toe; Cybill Shepherd in monochromatic red, with knee-length sheer tunic; Gabrielle Carteris in a white pantsuit.

Nicholas Hunt/WireImage/Getty Images; Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images; Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty Images

7. If you’re an all-over gainer you need one color head-to-toe

A monochromatic look is the simplest way to create the illusion of a sleeker silhouette. You can match black with black or white with white or do all red for that matter, but this keeps the eye moving vertically. Paring your wardrobe to a few colors rather than a random rainbow is a smart move. You get style bounce from combining textures and prints while keeping the color theme consistent. Look for knits and basics that have some structure and have a tailor add an elastic stretch panel to the waistband of pants or skirts when necessary.

8. Make leggings your new base

No matter where your weight goes, leggings make looser, longer tops and layering easy. Your legs will always be a relatively slim body part (even if they are muscular, full and curvy) so look for leggings in a thick opaque fabric. Now totally acceptable as “pants,” leggings look stylish with mid-thigh or longer-length tunics, crisp white shirts, jackets and sweaters. Add any boot style from bootie to knee-high toned to match your leggings and you have a “look.” Choose faux leather and faux suede leggings for a cool polished effect and, believe me, no one will mistake them for gym or workout wear. Best part? They stretch up and down with you.

Dawn McCoy in a print wrap midi dress, Bevy Smith in a floral wrap dress.

Amanda Edwards/Getty Images; Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Essence

9. Learn to love prints

There is nothing like an all-over print dress to keep the eyes moving and away from specific body zones. For those yo-yo dieters who love the easy fit, comfort and chic look of a cozy bathrobe this is another easy solution, no matter where you gain or lose. No pulling, creasing or struggles to wear it, since the dress adapts to fit you. Look for knee-length and midi versions in floral, artsy or tropical prints that make you smile at the scale. 

10. Last word: Invest in bras

Yo-yo dieters do need bras in several sizes and a range of bras that deal with weight shifts — no way around it. Gain weight and you’ll have spillage, double boobs, tight bra bands and back fat. Lose pounds and you get sag, loose cups and bands that swivel even on the tightest hook. Bras make all the difference in your body shape and clothes fit, regardless of size. Just splurge when and as needed. You’ll thank me!