Weight
If you’re feeling overweight — whether you would like to lose a few pounds or just have been eating too much dessert lately — read these fashion tips for reducing weight visually! Also, pay a lot of attention to the overall body shape guidelines that apply to your body (see those here)! You’ll best balance your shape that way, making you feel slimmer and super confident.
Unfortunately, a lot of women who aren’t “super skinny” feel bad about their weight. This has to do largely with our cultural conditioning. Don’t ever feel bad about yourself or your weight! Love yourself no matter what. If you would like to get more into shape to feel better in your body and for health, that’s fine. Just start adding in more healthy foods and movement to your life every day. Always believe you’re incredibly beautiful and only talk to your beautiful self in this way. Feeling bad is not going to make you feel good — is it? For extra encouragement and solid examples of beautiful successful women who aren’t stick thin, think of Jennifer Lopez and other fuller-figured beauties. Also check out celebrity women in Europe — such as Holly Willoughby!
Fabric:
Loose, long, flowing layers of lightweight fabric are flattering. Make sure that the fabric is tightly woven, however, because it will hold its shape better. Keep in mind that dark colors are slimming. If you want to add a bright color, do so in a long, slightly fitted blazer, oblong scarf, or vest.
Avoid: Large patterns.
Slimming dresses:
Wear tighter-fitting dresses — they are actually flattering, especially if the fabric is thick enough to feel supportive! Dresses with illusion-style panels and stripes (like dark-colored bands running vertically on the sides of the dress) make your waist look smaller and slim your hips. Wear one of these dresses at work or for a night out.
Avoid: Shift dresses that hang from your bust. To make a shift more flattering, try adding a thin belt to give your waist some definition!
Slimming tops:
One-shouldered necklines are more flattering and slimming than off-the-shoulder necklines! Or, wear a top that covers buttocks with either a loose top, jacket, vest, or sweater.
Slimming skirts:
A curve-skimming pencil skirt is tummy-flattening in a knee- or midi-length. For a further slimming effect, wear a pretty pencil skirt with a shapely jacket that doesn’t have lapels and buttons. Also, look for long, narrow skirts with elastic waists or loose, flowing skirts.
Avoid: Pleats (they will make your hips and tummy look bigger). Also, avoid short skirts (unless your legs are fit), and flouncy skirts because the added fabric only enlarges the silhouette!
Slimming jeans:
Wear bootcut or flare jeans, along with heels. Dark denim tends to be most slimming visually, and a bit of stretch in the jeans helps them look sleek and feel comfortable.
Avoid: Denim styles that are loose from top to bottom, such as boyfriend jeans (the bagginess makes you look bigger).
Slimming pants:
Tailored pants with a small-print and a darker color are super slimming! Fuller-cut pants are actually more flattering, as opposed to those with a straight/skinny cut. Pair these pants with a peplum top, which makes your waist look smaller and hides your hips. Try wearing your pants with a big soft sweater, or a blazer that covers your hips and derriere also can create a good line.
Avoid: Jogger/harem style pants that balloon around the crotch, hips and thighs — they make you look two sizes bigger than you are!
Slimming shoes:
Add height and body-elongation with heels and wedges! Any time you add height you are stretching the line of your body vertically thereby slimming it.
Avoid: Flats.
Slimming hats:
Full-brimmed, wide hats can help balance your shape!
Slimming bags:
If you are feeling large, wear a larger handbag so that your bag is in proportion to your size. If you wear a small handbag you’ll seem bigger! Carry flat bags, briefcases, or totes that draw the eye away from the middle area of the body!
Avoid: Bulky shoulder bags that rest around the middle part of your torso; they only add bulk and call attention to that part of your body.
Slimming jewelry:
Long necklaces, pendants,and dangling earrings can elongate the face; a pin at the shoulder can distract from a thick waist. Wear one bold piece, not a bunch of them. Rather than camouflaging a body part, jewelry calls more attention to it. (However, it is alleged that Coco Chanel draped herself in jewelry to detract attention from her body.)
Avoid: If your neck is thick, avoid jewelry that calls attention to it, like chokers.
Slimming hair:
If you are plus-size, you will want to avoid too much volume in your hair since it will add visual weight to your look. Stick with medium volume hair, such as a layered medium-length cut. Angled cuts are also good. Try side parts and bangs for a soft look that is complementary to your curves. Experiment with ponytails, buns, or slightly messy waves.
Avoid: Stay away from too short hair or too flat hair. Also be careful of long straight hair — it directly points to the tummy and hips which may not be that flattering!
Avoid baggy clothes! Sometimes women who feel large wear baggy clothes to try to conceal their body but it only makes them look bigger! Fitted clothes are actually way more flattering.
Every woman should make sure to have a large mirror in her house. A lot of women feel larger than they are just because of the tiny mirror they have! The 12-inch wide versions are not good enough for a woman’s dressing needs. Women need a wide full-length mirror — it should be about 3-feet wide or more. This way, you can see your whole body in relation to the room. For a lot of women this is a revolution when they try it! It makes a huge difference to your ability to style yourself and see your body as it actually is.
