Fashion

7 fashion tips to help you look slimmer

7 fashion tips to help you look slimmer

Author: Canadian Living

Fashion

7 fashion tips to help you look slimmer

The secret to looking slimmer is hanging in your closet. The way you dress can make a significant difference when it comes to the silhouette you create. While dressing thinner doesn't rival diet or exercise, it can help you stand taller, look more poised and boost your confidence.

To learn more, we asked stylist Corey Ng of Page One Management for his tips on the easiest and most effective ways to dress slimmer.

1. Define your waist

If your midsection is the problem, Ng suggests defining it. "Resorting to oversize tops is never the answer. They give the illusion that you're bigger than you are," he says. If you want more variety than belted blouses or empire waists, look for structured button-up shirts and form-fitting dresses, the stylist advises. "It's not about following trends or hiding your flaws. It's about knowing what your flaws are and complementing them to create balance," he explains.

2. Avoid low waistlines
Wear higher-rise and straight-cut pants to prevent your hips from appearing wide, says Ng. "You should not be wearing jeans that hit your hips," he says. "Go for something that has a higher waist, because it won't create bulges and is more flattering on the butt." He also recommends avoiding skinny jeans so you don't draw attention to problem areas, such as thighs and hips. "With skinny jeans you'll see the contrast between the larger thigh and the skinnier part that is your ankle," he explains. "You want higher-rise jeans to keep everything in."

3. Add height
Heels create good posture and go a long way toward helping you appear slimmer. "When you wear heels, your posture and the shape of your legs change," Ng explains. "If you're wearing flats, you're not accentuating anything." If you're not used to height, begin with a small wedge or chunky heel to elevate yourself slowly. Work your way up to higher heels that you can wear with knee-length skirts and dresses to further define your legs, the stylist advises.

Page 1 of 2 -- Discover how the right neckline, skirt length and shapewear can help you appear sensously slimmer on page 2

4. Lengthen your neck
Stay away from higher necklines unless your neck is long and thin, and opt instead for styles that create a more streamlined appearance. "The most flattering necklines are V-necks or cowl necks because they elongate," says Ng. "Even if you pair them with a lighter camisole, you're still creating elongation without showing inappropriate cleavage." While some cleavage is unavoidable, opt for a camisole underneath a deeper neckline to prevent your bust from overwhelming your figure.

5. Keep skirts knee-length
Stay away from extremes in length. Very long or very short skirts don't work on most body types, so choose knee-length pieces instead, Ng says. "They're more professional and flattering. "They also go a long way when you're wearing high heels, because this length gives you a mermaid silhouette," he says. If you want a more casual look, the stylist suggests a skirt cut slightly above the knee, but far from thigh-length. That way you'll appear less formal but won't draw attention to your wider areas.

6. Wear heavier fabrics
Fabrics such as acrylic should be avoided if you want to create a slimmer silhouette. "Avoid light and cheap materials," says Ng. "They create a lot of static and cling to your body. If they're too light they will stick to your problem areas and make everything visible." Instead, opt for heavier fabrics such as thick cotton or tweed, which will hang well and create a tailored, polished overall look. Also steer clear of elastic-bottomed shirts that can rise up and accentuate your midsection -- especially if you have a pear-shape figure.

7. Add shapewear to your wardrobe

When it comes to dressing slimmer, Ng suggests working from the inside out and focusing on what you put on under your clothes. "The benefit of shapewear is that it holds everything in and gives you a streamlined shape," he explains. "Clothes then fit better because you don't have your problem areas directly underneath." By wearing a bra that fits well and undergarments that work to tighten and flatten, you can make tops, bottoms and dresses look better by creating a smoother, more flattering, figure.

By following these seven simple steps, the days of hiding behind oversize shirts and baggy pants are over. Dressing in a way that gives you a slimmer silhouette will help ensure you feel better about your body and what you wear.

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