Sweaters That Don’t Show a Muffin Top: What to Look for After 60

If a sweater that looked great on the hanger suddenly seems to spotlight your middle, the sweater is almost always the problem. After menopause, many women notice weight settling around the midsection, and certain sweater details grab right at that spot. The fix isn’t hiding under oversized knits. It’s knowing which hems, lengths and fabrics skim past the middle instead of hugging it.

• Fall Finds and Amazing Save or Splurge Items
• Ankle Boots That Won’t Wreck Your Feet: 9 Comfortable Picks for Women 60+

Why Some Sweaters Cling

Three things are usually to blame. The first is a ribbed band at the hem. It’s designed to grip, so it pulls in at the hip and pushes everything above it outward. The second is a thin, stretchy knit, often heavy on rayon or viscose, that follows every curve. The third is a hem that stops at your widest point, which draws a horizontal line right where you don’t want one.

Avoid those three, and most sweaters start working with you instead of against you. Here are the styles that do it best.

1. The Side-Slit Sweater

A longer hem skips the midsection entirely, and side slits keep the fabric from pulling tight across the front when you sit or move. This is the easiest swap for anyone who lives in leggings or slim pants.

Try: MATTY M. Side Slit Sweater, Nordstrom Rack. A relaxed V-neck with slits at the hem, so it moves with you instead of riding up. Available in other fall colors.

2. The Long Duster Cardigan

Worn open, a long cardigan creates two vertical lines down the front of the body, which reads as longer and leaner. Put it over a fitted tank or tee in the same color as your pants for an unbroken column underneath.

Try: Australian Merino Wool Duster Cardigan, Quince. Merino is warm without bulk, and the duster length does the lengthening work for you.

3. The Batwing Sweater

A batwing cut puts its volume in the sleeves and upper body, so the fabric drapes down and away from the midsection rather than resting on it. Balance the volume with slim pants or straight-leg jeans so the overall shape stays streamlined.

Try: Cashmere Batwing Sweater, Quince. Soft, lightweight cashmere in a relaxed shape that skims rather than clings.

4. The Curved-Hem Pullover

A curved, shirttail-style hem dips lower at the sides and back, so it drapes over the hip instead of cutting straight across it. It’s a good choice for anyone who likes a classic crewneck but finds standard straight hems unforgiving.

Try: Women’s Cotton Colorblocked Curved-Hem Sweater, Macy’s Exclusive. Easy-care cotton, and the color blocking adds interest while the curved hem does the flattering.

5. The Fisherman Rib V-Neck

A V-neck draws the eye up toward the face, and a fisherman rib adds subtle vertical texture that lengthens the torso. Cotton keeps it breathable enough to wear from early fall into spring.

Try: 100% Organic Cotton Fisherman V-Neck Sweater, Quince. Textured without being chunky, in organic cotton.