When it comes to slimming down, nothing beats good old fashioned exercise and healthy eating. But even if you’re still trying to get down to your perfect weight, you can fake it ’til you make it with a couple of fashion tricks we have up our sleeves. You already know that wearing black can make you look skinnier, but there are a few more ways that you can fool even your closest friends into thinking you’ve shed major pounds. Follow these simple fashion tricks for an overall thinner look.
1. Say “No” to Horizontal Stripes
Any fabric with horizontal stripes makes the body appear a lot larger than it actual is. The horizontal line draws the eye from left to right, making you look wider. If you’re a fan of stripes, opt for vertical lines. These on the other hand, will make you appear taller and thinner.
2. Add a Little Height
Simply adding a heeled shoe to your look will not only make you appear taller, but thinner as well. And you don’t have to strap on 5 inch heels to get the slimming effect. Even shoes with just a 1-1/2″ height will make legs look longer and leaner.
3. Play Around With Color
It’s no secret that dark colors make you look thinner. Use this to your advantage! Wear dark clothing on the parts of your body that you want to appear smaller, and contrast that with color on areas you want to accentuate. Aside from basic black, colors like navy blue, forest green, and deep burgundy add a different twist to the dark color rule.
4. Avoid Baggy Clothes
Some women think that baggy, loose clothing will cover their flaws and make them look thinner. Not the case! Baggy clothes add bulk, making you appear larger. On the other hand, clingy fabrics that are too tight make you look bigger as well. The middle ground is to find clothing that skims the body, accentuating your shape, but not your flaws.
5. Flatter Your Figure
To look thinner, it’s important to know the shape of your body so that you can choose clothing that flatters your figure. However, some styles are universally slimming. As opposed to skinny jeans, boot leg and flared jeans tend to make women look taller and thinner. Straight jeans can make your midsection appear larger because your ankles look very small in comparison. Tunic shirts are flattering on most body shapes, especially those that carry extra weight in their middle. Cinch a flowy shirt at the waist with a thin belt, to amp up the slimming effects.
6. Go Monochromatic
This can be tricky to pull off, but dressing in the same color or pattern from head-to-toe can “slim down” your entire body. Being monochromatic does not draw attention to any one feature over another, making your overall appearance look thinner. Choose one color scheme and mix it up with different hues to enlongate and slim your figure.
7. Shhh… It’s Shapewear!
Sometimes a little help from Spanx or other shapewear is all you need to look 10 pounds thinner. Most celebrities go this route during award shows and premieres, wearing the body-hugging fabric underneath their clothes. Spanx and shapewear come in a variety of styles and shapes, each designed to “hold you in” and instantly make you look slimmer.
8. Accentuate the Positive
The best thing to do when you want to look thinner? Find something about your body that you love, and highlight it! If you have great legs, wear a skirt that shows them off. Maybe your arms are your best attribute. Play them up by wearing a sleeveless shirt. Even if it’s just accentuating your eyes or lips, highlighting your best features will make you more confident and draw attention away from your flaws.
