How to Dress to Make Yourself Look Skinnier

Plenty of people feel self-conscious about their weight, and many may even feel insecure about how heavy they think they look. With a few simple fashion tricks, however, you can help yourself look a little skinnier. In general, look for clothing and details that force the eye to look up and down rather than side to side. This reduces the amount of width a person sees, making you look skinnier in the process.

Steps

Build a Good Foundation

1. Wear undergarments that fit. This is especially important when selecting a bra. The right bra helps you shape your silhouette by keeping your chest in check and your waist defined. Avoid styles that will flatten you completely or styles that allow your bust to sag.
2. Avoid undergarments that offer no support. Thin bikini bottoms and thongs cover the bare minimum. Try boy shorts, briefs, and other styles that help pull in your buttocks, stomach, and thigh. These cuts create a tighter, smoother appearance.
3. Try body-slimming undergarments. If you want extra help creating a shapely figure and keeping your excess weight in check, try a body shaper. These undergarments slip over your stomach and thigh, preventing these areas from jiggling around too much. You may find this option a little excessive for daily wear, but it is especially helpful for special occasions.
4. Consider nylon stockings with a “control top” the next time you find yourself in a dress or skirt. Control top hosiery has a tall, thick layer at the top designed to stretch over your stomach and keep it in place. This creates a smoother look that may make your dress look more flattering.

Put Together Structured Outfits

1. Buy the right size. Clothes that are too tight will show every flaw and excess pound your body has, and clothes that are too baggy will make it look heavier than you actually are. Only clothes that fit you properly will flatter you.
2. Avoid boxy clothing. Stiff, uncompromising fabrics in straight “box” cuts usually make people look heavier than they are. These fabrics are especially hard to deal with in jackets and other tops.
3. Also avoid clingy clothes. Tight, Spandex-like material will cling to your body and show every roll and fold you have. When you want to look skinnier, You should aim to draw attention away from excess fat, not show it.
4. Stick with loose, flowing fabrics. Materials that lightly drape over your frame are the best way to go since they have enough structure to follow along your body's contours without smothering them.
5. Introduce a little black into your wardrobe. Black has a slimming effect and can look especially nice on trousers, skirts, and dresses. Do not overdo it, however. Too much black can easily create a drab, depressing look, so you should pair it with other colors.
6. Add some dark wash denim and other rich colors to your style. Usually, dark colors have a slimming effect similar to the effect created by wearing black. A good way to bring color and interest into your wardrobe is by including a variety of rich colors, from deep plum to dark olive and navy blue to chocolate brown.
7. Look for bold colors and patterns. Bold patterns can distract the eye and camouflage your outline, causing the observer to notice the item of clothing instead of your size. Choose patterns in bright or deep colors, though, since patterns in light colors may actually draw further attention to your imperfections and make you look larger.
8. Try monochromatic color schemes. Large blocks of solid color draw the eye up and down rather than side to side. As a result, the eye takes in more height than width, causing you to appear thinner and taller. Try wearing a dress in a solid color or a deep blue top with dark wash jeans.
9. Stock up on v-neck tops, V-necks and other vertical necklines draw the eye up and down, elongating and narrowing your torso. Avoid horizontal necklines, like crew necks and boat necks, since these may make your shoulders and bust look wider.
10. Opt for vertical details and avoid horizontal details. Think pinstripes, pleats, and vertical zippers, and avoid horizontal stripes or rows of embellishments. Vertical details prompt the eye to look up and down instead of side to side, which helps create the illusion of slenderness.
11. Balance out your legs with flared pants. Skinny jeans and other trousers with a tapered leg draw attention to your hips and upper leg, which can make your top look heavy. Instead, look for straight-leg, boot-cut, and other pant styles with a slight flare. These styles pull the eyes down and away, creating an overall leaner look.
12. Look for A-line, knee-length skirts. A-line skirts are fitted at the hip and upper thigh, but flare out toward the knee, creating a balanced look that prevents your legs from looking thick and top heavy. Knee-length skirts are the most universally flattering, but many mid-calf styles may also work well depending on your height.
13. Hide problem areas. For instance, if you carry excess weight in your stomach, look for tunics and wrap tops that glide over your stomach without drawing attention to it. Lean toward clothing that carefully masks your problem areas without adding too much bulk.
14. Avoid placing details over your problem areas. If you carry excess weight in your thighs, look for bottoms with few pockets and no embellishments on the hip. Details draw attention, and any part of your body covered in visual detailing will look more noticeable and wider.
15. Accentuate your positive features. If you have firm legs, show them off by raising your skirt's hemline a few inches. If you have a well-defined waist, look for nipped waistlines and belts that really call attention to it. By drawing attention to the most slender parts of your body, you create the illusion of overall slenderness.

Top Things Off with the Right Details

1. Try a high heel or platform. High heels make your leg look long and lean, and a leaner-looking leg helps create a leaner look overall. If you have a wider foot, you can also wear a short platform without making your foot look too chunky or out of proportion.
2. Avoid strappy sandals and kitten heels. If you have wide feet, strappy sandals will only accentuate the heft of your foot. Similarly, a large foot looks even larger when squeezed into tiny kitten heels. Stick with closed styles that have a decent amount of height to slim down your foot.
3. Also avoid shoes with ankle straps. Ankle straps place a horizontal line at the top of your foot, which cuts off your leg and makes it look shorter. A shorter leg also looks stouter, which reduces the illusion of overall skinniness.
4. Draw the eye to your face with the right make-up. A touch of eye shadow or a pleasant shade of lipstick keeps the focus on your face and off your body. Never wear too much make-up, however. Add a bit of color to one feature—usually either your eyes or your lips—but keep the rest of your make-up looking natural.
5. Style your hair. Ask your stylist about styles that elongate your neck or face. In general, wide bob cuts may add too much width to your face, but many long, layered styles direct the eye up and down instead of side to side.
6. Accessorize with boldness. Think bright, sassy necklaces and dangling scarves that drape over your front. Stick with jewelry and other accessories that create a vertical look, and avoid horizontal accessories like chokers that may make your neck or other features look thicker.
7. Try a belt or sash. Even though it creates a horizontal line across your body. A fashion belt tied around your natural waist may emphasize the narrowness of your waist and create a flattering, slim silhouette. Stick with narrow belts over thick belts to create this silhouette without encouraging the eye to focus on your figure from side to side.

Tips

• Always try clothing on before you buy it. A garment may be your size on the tag, but that does not mean it will fit your body right.
• Work on your posture. Stand up straight, pull your stomach in, and keep your shoulders back. Good posture will keep you looking slim and tall, but slouching will cause you to look stouter and frumpier.
• Wear darker colors like navy and black because they make you to look skinnier. Avoid light colors like light blue and beige because they will accentuate your size.
• Do what you can to feel good about your weight. Manage it with diet and exercise, but avoid unhealthy fad diets or other obsessive behaviors that can lead to eating disorders. A little bit of moderate exercise can help you slim down, relieve stress, and feel confident.
• Make sure you are wearing a good bra.
• Avoid wearing baggy clothes that give you no shape and clothes that are too tight.
• Wear loose Top and tight bottoms, or close fit top and loose bottoms.
• Wearing too loose clothing is not always attractive. Try wearing a nice form fitting bottom such as a well fitting pair of jeggings or a pair of jeans in your size, but make sure that the pants you choose come well above your pelvis for a more slimming look. Couple it with a nice horizontally stripped shirt or a top with a fitted bust and a flowing bottom. Both should have either long sleeves or mid-length sleeves on your arm, to cover up any imperfections such as stretchmarks. The shirt that you choose should not be too tight in the back if you have a not so flat back, but it should rest on your stomach and form to your natural curves.
• Don't buy skinny jeans. Bootcut works best.
• Wear skinny clothes.
• Wear a Belt. Not too tight. It adds bulk to hide under your shirt. (So the bulge isn't so obvious)
• Wear dark jeans and a dark top with a lighter colour button up shirt worn as a jacket.
• Never wear tight clothes if you have a big gut, it can bounce out.

Things You’ll Need

• Supportive undergarments
• Tops
• Bottoms
• Heels
• Belts
• Jewellery
• Cosmetics
• Belt