Middle aged women can fake a waist using peplums and layered crop tops

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Between the ages of 45 and 55, 90 per cent of women gain 12lb to 15lb
Most of that weight, will seemingly end up gathering around our midriffs
But Sam Taylor has uncovered the wardrobe tricks all apple shapes need

Published: 16:30 EST, 29 July 2015 | Updated: 19:27 EST, 29 July 2015

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Some time in my late 40s, I lost my waist. I'm not sure where I left it, and I've been having trouble locating it ever since.

It seems I'm not alone. Between the ages of 45 and 55, 90 per cent of women will gain 12lb to 15lb in weight - with most of it ending up round our midriffs.

As the menopause takes its natural course, we suffer a dramatic dip in progesterone and develop an over-abundance of oestrogen.

Before: Sam Taylor says she lost her waist some time in her late 40s. Between the ages of 45 and 55, 90 per cent of women will gain 12lb to 15lb in weight - with most of it ending up round our midriffs

Higher levels result in an increase in fat stores that get parked around our abdomen, and we become increasingly apple-shaped.

Exercise can help, of course, as can drastic dieting - but there is an easier answer.

All you need to do is buy one of the many outfits in the shops that promise to fake a waist.

As I discovered, the results can be dramatic...

CHEAP NOT CHIC

Colour-block dress, £24, yoursclothing.co.uk. Black laceup courts, £35, next.co.uk

There are some bargains on the High Street, but this isn't one of them. It may be cheap, but the crimping effect of the manmade fibre did little to pull in my tummy or rediscover my waistline. The vivid pink side panels made my hips look bigger, while the panel under the bust made me look bloated.

2/5

SMOOTH MOVE

Ruched panelled dress, £180, libbylondon.com. Navy peep-toe slingbacks, £225, russellandbromley.co.uk

On the hanger, this dress had very little appeal and I feared the ruching would make me look pregnant. Yet the opposite was true. It smoothed out any tummy bumps, the longer sleeves perfectly covered my 50-something arms, while the black panels produced a waist from nowhere.

5/5

INSTANT HOUR GLASS

Lace top, £125, reiss.com. Tulle full skirt, £139, coast-stores.com. Metallic black glitter slingbacks, £195, lucychoi london.com

This skirt is designed to bring out the inner princess in any woman, whatever age. Ordinarily I would avoid anything this voluminous, but the fine pleating and silk waistband gave the illusion of a nipped-in waist while the contrasting top gave the outfit a light, bright shine. The result was a classic Fifties hourglass look.

4/5

COOL CROP

Beaded cropped top, £95, coast-stores.com. Black dress, £130, reiss.com. Heeled sandals, £60, clarks.co.uk

Like most women of my age, I occasionally run my fingers over the new season of sparkly crop tops and then walk on by — the days of displaying my midriff are long gone. But by layering one over a slim-fitting black over-the-knee shift dress, the below the bust crop top gives an empire line look that accentuates my hips and gives the illusion of a waist. Ideal for a cocktail party.

4/5

PENCIL LINES

Navy top, £30, and pencil skirt, £95, reiss.com. Mock ostrich belt, £105, elliotrhodes.com. Nude courts, £28, next.co.uk

Fashion experts often say pencil skirts can have a slimming effect, but they can also go horribly wrong. However, this high-waisted version, teamed with a dark, plunge-neck top, gave me added confidence that I could still have a sexy shape - this is helped by wearing a belt high on the middle as it elongated my legs. Perfect for a dressy holiday outfit.

5/5

NIPPED IN

Navy blazer, £225, trousers, £120, and silk top, £65, reiss.com. Leopard-print heels, £195, lucychoilondon.com

Susan Sarandon shows off waist in printed trouser suit

I rarely wear trouser suits, but these cropped trousers and this sharp tailored jacket surprised me. I tend to wear widelegged trousers to cover my bottom, but in this slimline pair my legs appeared thinner and my waist was, well, there, thanks to the feminine tailoring.

5/5

PEPLUM POWER

Floral dress with lace peplum hem, £130, phase-eight.com. Nude courts, £28, next.co.uk

This summer's floral prints can look overwhelming and too youthful, but the clever design of this dress allowed for some flowers, tempered with a grown-up dark top. The conjuring trick delivered to the waist by the lace peplum was a wonderful cover-all. Despite looking tight-fitting, this was really comfy and would allow for an extra portion of pudding without anyone noticing.

4/5

Styling: Eliza Scarborough; Pictures: L+R; Hair & make-up: Oonagh Connor using Bobbi Brown and Bumble + Bumble; Fashion assistant: Amy Kester