The Waistline Cinch
The waistline is most women’s smallest area, so it’s important not to hide this part of our bodies but rather to embrace it. As seen in the image on the left, when we wear garments that are loose and unflattering it can be deceiving and make us look bigger than we actually are.
That’s why we suggest either to add a belt to cinch in your waist or get your clothes altered tighter as this woman did (right-side).
Avoid Bulging
When an article of clothing causes bulging, it means that it makes you appear swollen or lumpier than you actually are. This is a look that nobody actively wants so try to avoid buying clothes that have this effect on you.
As seen here, this black cocktail dress is making the woman appear as if she has stomach rolls and the mom jeans on the right are also guilty of the same thing.
Tuck in Your Shirt
When wearing a long-sleeve tee with a skirt like pictured here, pulling down the shirt immediately adds on imaginative extra pounds (see the left-side). This is because you have divided your figure into two pieces and given the effect of stomach rolls.
This is not a look that we want to promote as it is most unflattering and doesn’t show off the skirt well. Rather tuck in the shirt and let the skirt’s waistband give you a good cinch in.
The Best Belt for You
When it comes to trying to flatter the figure, a good rule of thumb is to opt for a thicker belt. The wideness of a chunkier belt is better for cinching in your waist.
Also, you can wear belts that are light in color but it depends on what clothing you wear with it. If your coat is darker than the belt you are wearing, then this could make your waistline appear larger.
Matchy-Matchy
Unless you’re in grade school, the matchy-matchy look is never flattering. Not only is it boring but if all your clothes are the same pattern, it can make you appear larger than you are because it’s so much of the same aesthetic.
Instead, try to wear just one patterned piece. Another option, which is way more fun, would be to play with different patterns within the same outfit. Clothes that “clash” in an artistic way can look incredibly stylish!
The Art of the Skinny Jeans
When it comes to choosing the right pair of skinny jeans for you, try to remember to choose ones that are slightly loose and that show off your ankles. Also, don’t wear shoes with jeans that contrast in color, since this will give the illusion that your legs are shorter and in return, make you look heavier.
Out of the two photos this lovely lady took, we feel the one on the left is more flattering as she tucked in her tee and wore cute sneakers.
Show-Off These Body Parts
When we’re feeling like we’ve picked up some pounds, our knee-jerk reaction is to try to cover ourselves up in clothes that hide as much as possible.
While we understand and empathize with this fashion choice, there are a few body parts that should never be hidden – we refer to these as the ‘thinner’ parts which include your neck, wrists, ankles, and waistline. Showing off these body parts makes us look thinner and feel more dainty.
The Coat to Skirt Dimension
A big fashion no-no that makes us look heavier is to wear a coat or raincoat that is shorter than our skirt. This is especially true with contrasting colors.
By wearing a coat that doesn’t cover the length of our other garment, we create the appearance of an extra layer that cuts our figure in an unflattering manner. The image here speaks for itself… So ladies, don’t forget this vital piece of information the next time you’re buying a coat.
The Right Undergarment
Wearing the right undergarment beneath your clothing will ensure that you are nicely tucked in and creates smooth lines. We’re pretty sure that nobody wants the alternative, so make a considerable effort to buy the bras, undies, and shapewear that is best fitted to what you wear on top.
The image here shows the difference it makes when one wears the incorrect undergarment vs. the right one. The contrast between the two is very noticeable in the woman’s stomach area.
The Tracksuit Wins Here
While one would think that short shorts would always beat the tracksuit pants when it comes to what’s more flattering, that is in fact not the case here. If our shorts are too short, they can make us appear bigger. Whereas, fitted yet still breathable track pants can be very flattering (as seen on this woman).
Another reason we are criticizing her outfit on the left was due to the childish print of the tee that draws negative attention to the stomach area.
Pay Attention to Pockets
Pockets can make someone look wider, especially if you plan to utilize said pockets and store various items in them. Pay attention to pocket placement — do the pockets draw attention to your stomach or some other area you don’t want to be emphasized?
The shape of your pockets is important, too. Are the pockets large and sagging outward, making you look wider? Or are they sleek and tucked in, so as not to add any bulk?
The Rule About Lines
Vertical lines help make us appear more streamlines and longer, while horizontal ones can have the opposite effect, especially in the abdomen area. So, for this woman’s dress which displays a mix of both, it can get tricky when deciding how to accessorize it.
This is when the dress’s length comes into play – since it is below her knees, we prefer the blazer on the right that cinches her in at the waistline.
The Pencil Skirt Principle
When choosing a flattering skirt, there is a common misconception that the short, black, and tight one is the answer. This is actually not the case since short skirts cut the lines of our legs unnaturally and even more so if it’s in a dark shade.
Plus, the garment is uncomfortable to walk and sit in which lends itself to be impractical. Rather choose a pencil skirt that complements your shape and expresses your femininity.
The Geometric Design Downside
While geometric design patterns on garments are aesthetically-pleasing, oftentimes they leave us looking square-shaped. This is evident in the image displayed here as the same woman in two similar dresses looks way better and thinner in the plain black number.
This doesn’t mean that we cannot rock garments with this design but when it comes to dresses and skirts, it’s not recommended unless the garment is short and shows off your legs.
The Power of a Tan
While this next one might surprise some, the power of a tan is known to give the effect of shredded weight. If you still don’t believe us, just look at the before and after display here – the difference in her legs definition is sizable.
This is because darker skin gives the illusion of a concealed finish. Furthermore, a tan can hide unfavorable redness or bruising, which provides an added bonus. So, if you’re not feeling yourself, spray on some tan, and voila!
Don’t Overkill the Oversized Look
When rocking oversized clothes, it’s important to pay attention to the accessories you choose to wear with them. Due to the baggy nature of the garment on top, we suggest keeping your handbag and jewelry more on the daintier side.
The images here perfectly depict how the smaller accessories make all the difference by tying the outfit together and not adding extra weight to your top-half. Lastly, remember to show your wrists when wearing these oversized garments.
The Sweater Fix
While the loose sweater is beloved to many of us, our waistline would say otherwise if it could do the talking. This is because sweaters hide our waists and give the illusion of a shortened torso. A good trick to remember when styling your sweater next time is to add a belt that lifts it up and accentuates your figure.
The before and after is quite astonishing when you realize a tiny belt was to thank for all that magic. Now, your outfit is stylish, flattering, and makes you look 10 pounds lighter!
Flared Shorts Are Your Friend
Shorts that are tight and straight-legged can be unflattering and create the illusion of a thicker thigh. However, if you opt for flared shorts, then your legs will look far slimmer in comparison. Since they’re looser, they’ll most definitely be more comfortable too.
Flared shorts create a bit more of a diverse aesthetic, which is flattering to those who want to accentuate their curves. Straight-legged shorts, on the other hand, create the illusion that your leg doesn’t have any shape to it.
How to Style Your Busiest Dress
When it comes to styling your looks, a fashion tip that has stood the test of time is remembering that less is more. Due to the business of the patterned dress, the jacket should help tie the look together and flatter the woman’s physique.
For this reason, we prefer the look on the right, as it tones down the vibrance and gives a slimming effect. However, with that being said, we do love the pop of the red on the left but feel the short cut makes the woman’s hips look bigger.
The Side Tuck
We’ve all heard the saying, “Less is more.” Well, that sentiment definitely applies to fashion, too! It really doesn’t take much to give a simple outfit that extra oomph you’re looking for.
Take a side tuck, for example. Not only does this kind of tuck create a bit of shape, but it also adds some flair to minimal outfits, like jeans and a sweater.
Roll it Up
When it comes to styling your outfit in the most flattering way, you’ll find that it’s all in the smaller details. Like we mentioned earlier, showing off your neck and wrists can make a difference as seen with this woman, as well as one another trick – rolling up your jeans.
This styling tip is primarily for when your jeans are more on the baggier side as rolling them up allows your ankles to show. This immediately creates a thinning effect on your legs which we’re sure everyone would enjoy.
It’s All in the Fabrics
When we wear clothing that is too tight on us or has a rough material, it can make us look bigger than we actually are. That’s why it’s usually better to wear garments that are made of smooth and forgiving fabric in order to cover up any unwanted areas.
Also (as shown on the left-side here), try steering clear of square-shaped or rigid necklines as they cover up our neck area and give a boxy-effect to our chest.
The Stripe Dilemma
While it is a misconception that all vertical stripes are thinning and horizontal ones add on the pounds, the thickness of the stripes is the true indicator when it comes to what looks flattering. For example, frequently narrow stripes add dimension and can help hide our pounds, while thicker and rare stripes can hide our feminine curves and make us look dumpy.
This is seen in the image here, as even though the woman on the left is sporting the infamous horizontal lines, due to their thinness and large frequency, she looks great.
The Trouser Fit
Ladies, trouser pants provide such a classy and sophisticated look, especially for work attire. The key to wearing the right pair is all in the fit. As seen on the left side here, the beige trousers seem to swim on the woman and make her appear larger.
Whereas, the black pair on the right have a complementary effect on her because they are better fitted to her legs. See how the pants tighten in the middle and then flow out towards the hemline? Now, that is a great fit!
The Beltloop Tuck
Do you have a top or blouse that’s just a bit too long or baggy on you, so you never really wear it? Whether or not you spent a lot of money on it makes no difference. Either way, it would be a shame to get rid of it.
Luckily, we have the ultimate hack for you — all you’ll need is that baggy shirt and a pair of pants or shorts with belt loops. Simply thread the extra fabric at the bottom of the shirt through one of the belt loops on the side. Then, take the tail of the shirt that’s been looped through and tuck it into your pocket.
The Shoe Details
Heels have the great power to make us look taller and in doing so, we appear thinner. However, the type of heel we pick to wear should be a well-thought-out decision. In the image displayed below, while the two pictures look very similar, the heels differ slightly in style.
The ones on the left are the classic peep-toe stiletto, while the ones on the right have less of a platform and have that strap across the ankle. Unfortunately, this ankle-strap adds an odd dynamic to her ankles and gives an unflattering effect to her legs.
The Smartest Smart Jacket
A smart jacket can spruce up any outfit and give a more formal appearance. We believe they’re a closet must-have for this very reason. And while we actually think both jacket displays look nice here, the obvious winner for us is the plain white one, due to its shortened length.
The smart jacket is supposed to create a square frame on our shoulders, so the most flattering choice here would be to wear one that still accentuates your bottom frame.
The Kimono Rule
The Kimono comes from Chinese fashion during the Wu dynasty dating back to many centuries ago. The garment appears similar to the style of a silk robe except it has become more day-time acceptable over time. And today, the kimono is a beloved fashion feature for outfits on-the-go.
However, one must remember to wear a long-cut one as shown here on the left. Otherwise, the garment just looks like a flowy cardigan that would make anyone look chunkier. Plus, the whole point of it is to reflect a robe so the long length is necessary.
How to Pair Your Loose Jeans
If you opt to wear looser jeans, then how you pair them will determine if your outfit will be flattering on you or not. On the left-side here, there are a few styling mistakes that led to the woman looking frumpy.
Firstly, she chose to wear a tee that covered her decolletage and then wore an oversized cardigan over that. A good rule of thumb to remember if you’re going to wear loose jeans is to ensure your chest is slightly exposed as she smartly did on the right-side.
The Shape of Sunglasses
Believe it or not, even wearing the wrong shape of sunglasses can make us look bigger than we are. That’s why it is imperative to wear the right pair for your facial structure. The fashion rule of thumb here is to wear the shape that actually contrasts with your face.
For example, if you have a more circular-shaped face, then opt for a square-styled pair of sunnies like this Gucci pair as indicated here. While the round sunnies are stylish, they are not fit for everyone’s face shape.
Opt for Well-Fitted
No matter your size, it’s important to find clothes that fit you. Many people opt for larger clothing in order to hide certain areas of their bodies that they feel less comfortable showing off, like their tummy or midsection. In reality, though, this habit can make you look much bigger than you actually are.
Rather than choosing a loosely-fitting dress as shown in the picture, try well-fitted clothes that take the attention away from your midsection, but still define your waist.
The Power of Posture
This next fashion mistake isn’t even about fashion per se but has a lot to do with looking bigger. Learning to stand with correct posture can help elongate us and actually make us appear taller and thinner.
While the example shown here is rather dramatic, it does get the point across that having a bad stance can make our bellies look bigger and our bodies shorter. So ladies, remember to stand up straight with your shoulders back!
Winter Essentials
When it comes to dressing for winter, obviously our main priority is to keep warm. However, with that being said, we still want to look fashionable and wear items that are favorable to our figure. So, while we feel most cozy in an oversized sweater, it is also the garment that makes us look the frumpiest.
A good alternative would be to try an oversized cardigan that is long in length like the one shown here. Pair this number with a fitted top, and you are ready to rock the winter.
The Higher the Heel
You know that iconic phrase, “the higher the heel, the closer you are to heaven?” Well, we’re big enthusiasts of it because high heels truly do make us appear taller and as a result, our legs look longer. The proof is in the picture here on the right.
While we still feel the woman on the left has rocking legs, we do feel that the straps on the shorter heels also contribute to why she looks shorter. Remember to show off our god-given lovely ankles!
Printed Pants
Printed pants are a great substitute for plain black or grey trousers, however, the size of the print will determine its success. Try to remember that larger prints make the person wearing them look bigger, while smaller prints give a thinning effect.
That is why the tiny flower print on the left-side is recommended over the pretty pink pattern. While we can admire large and dramatic prints, that doesn’t mean they need to be displayed on our pants.
