Do what we larger women do. Nicely pleated pants (dockers and lees make stretchy waist bands), tops that flow nicely over the pants waist. The rule here for us larger women is never to let the top hit exactly at the midline of the hip because it can make you look "hippy". but I think that is exactly what you should do. It will simply look like you gained weight. I too used a stretchy hair tie or rubber band and hooked one end around the button, pulled it though the button hole and hooked it back on the button (ummm ok so I did it when I gained weight also lol), but it works wonderfully. And kudos to all the mamas that said you don't have to answer anyone's questions. If only we could teach ourselves and our children that it applies to every aspect of our life ("Did you and your husband have a fight? You look upset" OR "Does this job pay as much as your other?"...you know what I mean). And big baggy sweats are comfortable, but they can make you feel like eating more and not as sexy as you are, so experience has told me to stay away from them. Good luckl and God Bless.