Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 5: Choosing the right clothes
• Part 2 of 5: Avoid clothes that accentuate love handles
• Part 3 of 5: Distracting attention
• Part 4 of 5: Hiding love handles as a man
• Part 5 of 5: Exercise to counter love handles
• Tips

Love handles are created when the extra fat around your belly bulges out on the sides and can be accentuated by the wrong clothing choices. Sometimes wearing the wrong clothes can be so unflattering that you seem like you have love handles when you are not at all! It can be very difficult to get rid of love handles through movement, but luckily they can be hidden through a combination of wearing the right clothes, avoiding the wrong clothes, and drawing attention away from your problem areas.

To step

Part 1 of 5: Choosing the right clothes

1. Wear pants with a high waist. Most people are a bit slimmer at the waist than around the hips, so wearing high-waisted pants can prevent your hips and waist from being unnaturally separated. Plus, this will prevent your waistband from pinching where you're bulkier and creating a bulge.
   • Look for pants that extend at or just above your belly button.
   • Consider choosing pants with thicker waistbands - those with at least two buttons - and those that are higher in the back than the front, because they won't cut into your skin in a weird way.
2. Choose empire waists and A-line tops. Clothing with an empire waist is tighter at the waist and then fans out and down. These pieces are flattering because they accentuate the waist and hide tummies and love handles.
   • Likewise, A-line garments are narrower at the top and fan out to the bottom, so skirts and dresses can make larger torsos look smaller and make love handles less noticeable.
3. Wear slimming colors. While the old advice says that wearing darker colors will always make you look slimmer, this is not entirely true. Instead of just wearing black to hide your love handles and look slimmer, wear a darker color where you are bulkiest and a light color where you are a bit slimmer.
   • For example, if you want to make a big belly less noticeable, wear black around your waist and a little more color above it. You can achieve this, for example, by wearing a high-waisted A-line skirt, combined with a brightly colored top that is pleated in the middle.
4. Experiment with different styles for shirts and shirts. There are a few shirts that are more flattering for those who need a little extra space in the middle, and will also make any love handles less noticeable. Flattering shirts usually have a little more flow, such as:
   • Kimono style shirts
   • Kaftans
   • Wrap shirts and dresses
5. Wear tops with large prints and patterns. Another way to hide love handles is to bury them under a bold print or pattern, or cover them with a wrinkled design that conceals the bulk of what's underneath.
   • Look for tops with ruffles down the sides or subtle pleats
   • Experiment with intricate patterns, diagonal stripes and bold prints
6. Use foundation garments. Foundation clothing, also called shapeware, is probably the most successful way to hide love handles, as it is designed to sculpt and smooth body parts. These garments are meant to be worn under your clothes. Some examples of garments that can hide love handles:
   • Full bodysuits and "body control" clothing, which are useful if you are wearing a slim dress.
   • Corsets (for the waist) and shapewear, which are perfect for when you want to wear skinny jeans or tighter pants or skirts.

Part 2 of 5: Avoid clothes that accentuate love handles

1. Do not wear tight clothes. When it comes to hiding love handles, avoiding the wrong clothes is just as important as choosing the right clothes. Tops that are tight and follow your body shape (without shaping) will only emphasize your love handles, especially when paired with a too-tight and unflattering bottom.
   • Fabrics to avoid include satin, full polyester, and elastane (Spandex and Lycra), all of which cling to your body and accentuate your silhouette.
2. Avoid straight clothing. Unlike empire and A-lines, straight clothing emphasizes your mid and belly area, and this will draw all the attention to your love handles.
   • This applies to pants, tops, skirts and dresses.
3. Do not wear belts. There are many recommendations for using straps to hide love handles, but even thick and oversized straps can cut your side and make your love handles even more eye-catching.
   • If you want to wear an oversized belt, choose a belt with a loose fit, wear it low around the hips and team it with a loose top.
   • Otherwise stick to thin belts that don't pinch your waist.
4. Don't wear underwear that is too tight. Tight underwear, especially those with thin waistbands or straps, can cut into your flesh and make your love handles bigger. In fact, thin, tight straps on underwear can even make you look like you have love handles, even if you don't.
   • As with pants, choose underwear with a higher waist and a thicker waistband.
5. Don't wear pants that don't fit well around your waist. This also applies to pants that are too tight and pants that are not where they should be. Try not to squeeze in pants, especially if they are tight around the waist.
   • Skinny jeans might be all the rage at some point, but if you're a little wider in the middle and opt for skinny jeans with a low waist, your love handles will pop out more than ever.

Part 3 of 5: Distracting attention

1. Wear a signature necklace. Another way to hide love handles (or a trait you don't like) is to divert attention by drawing the eyes elsewhere. There are a number of ways you can do this, including jewelry. A bold and unique necklace draws the eyes to your neck and chest and draws attention away from your waist.
   • Don't wear necklaces that are too long, as they bring the focus back to your waist.
2. Put on a bright scarf or one with a pattern. Using the same theory as the necklace, a brightly colored or bold scarf around your neck will keep the focus on your face and neck, away from your love handles.
   • You can also wear a scarf in the spring and summer, but to keep it from getting too hot, stick with thinner scarves in lightweight materials such as cotton and linen.
3. Choose flashy earrings. Long, dangling or bold earrings also draw attention to your face and away from your waist, and they can help you change your style if you don't feel like wearing necklaces and scarves.
   • If you can't wear long earrings to work, or if you don't like them, look for stud earrings in bold and bright colors, or shorter earrings with bold patterns.
4. Wear shirts with a flattering neckline. Another way to draw attention to your chest and neck instead of your love handles is with a V-neck or a slightly deeper neckline or décolleté. This is a great option for those who cannot wear jewelry or scarves to work.
5. Tie a sweater around your waist. You can also tie the sleeves of a sweater or jacket around your waist to hide your love handles, as any fabric from the sleeves will cover too much bulk underneath.
   • Hang the center piece of the sweater around your buttocks and wrap the sleeves to the front and tie a knot or tie a bow.
   • In summer, you can use a thin, long-sleeved shirt to achieve the same effect.

Part 4 of 5: Hiding love handles as a man

1. Don't tuck in your shirt. A tucked-in shirt is tighter against your body and this accentuates your love handles. Instead, wear a nice fitted shirt and let the bottom hang loosely. This will give you more room and allow the fabric to cover your love handles.
   • If you have to tuck your shirt in, such as at work, consider wearing a jacket or blazer over the shirt to hide your love handles.
2. Don't wear bright and garish shirts. Screamy shirts draw attention to your center and your love handles. Instead, opt for plain shirts in dark colors. Do not wear shirts with:
   • Bright colors
   • Complex designs or patterns
   • Stripes or checks
3. Stand upright. When you are slumped or standing, your shoulders will roll forward and your stomach will be compressed in the middle and bulging, making your love handles look bigger.
   • When sitting or standing, your back should be straight and your shoulders pulled back slightly. Keep your head in a straight line with your body and engage your core muscles to support your upper body.
   • Good posture will also help relieve back pain and headaches and appear taller.
4. Wear pants that reach your waist. Instead of wearing pants on your hips, wear them around your waist. This will help hide love handles, avoid cutting off your body in an unnatural place, and help you look slimmer.
   • Your waist is the thinnest part of your center, just below your belly button.
5. Wear a shaping shirt. Also called shapeware or "concealing shirts", these are great for hiding excess fat and love handles and making you look slimmer.
   • Make sure to wear the corrective shirt as a undershirt under a regular shirt.

Part 5 of 5: Exercise to counter love handles

1. Do cardio. It is not really possible to target fat specifically in a certain place, but you can reduce the total fat surplus on your body and thus also counteract love handles. Exercises that get your heart pumping, such as cardio and aerobic workouts, are some of the best ways to lose fat. For best results, exercise at least 30 minutes a day, four times a week or more. Good cardio workouts include:
   • Swimming
   • Running and jogging
   • Circuit training
   • Bicycles
   • High intensity interval training
2. Do strength training. Strength training is great because it builds muscle and burns fat at the same time. Even if you don't have time to hit the gym and pump, you can do a simple body weight strength workout at home: An easy routine is:
   • 20 squats: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and bend your knees until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
   • 10 push-ups: Lie face down on the floor, supporting the tips of your toes and palms, with your arms outstretched. Lower your body all the way to the floor while keeping your body straight, then push yourself back to the starting position.
   • 20 lunges (walking): Step forward with your right foot in a lunge. Stand up and take another step forward with your left foot in a lunge.
   • 10 dumbbell rows: push two chairs together and put your right knee on one chair and your right hand on the other. With your left arm, pull a dumbbell (or milk carton or paint can, etc.) straight up next to your body and then down again. Repeat this 10 times on each side.
   • 15 seconds of plank exercises: Lie down with your face to the floor. Place your arms in front of you and then push your body up on your forearms so that you are supported by your forearms and toes. Keep your body upright.
   • 30 jumping jacks.
3. Focus on the muscles around the love handles. The muscles around your love handles are the obliques, and you can train these muscles to give the area more definition. Combine this with the total fat loss and your love handles will become smaller and less visible. Good workouts for the oblique muscles include:
   • Side plank crunches: Lie on your right side and support yourself on your right elbow. Lift your body off the ground so that you are supported by your right forearm and the sides of your feet. Draw your right knee to your left elbow, then return to the plank. Repeat this 10 to 12 times and then with the other side.
   • Plank-to-elbow push ups: Start in plank position, facing the floor and with your body supported on your toes and forearms. Without rocking your hips, lift yourself up to support your right side on your palm, then do the same with your left side. Then you lower yourself back into a shelf on your right, followed by the left. Alternate sides (left side first and right side again) and repeat for 30 to 45 seconds.

Tips

• When it comes to your appearance, the most important thing you can have is self-confidence. You could wear a potato bag without people noticing it simply because you're confident and don't draw attention to it!