How To Look Thinner With Fashion: 12 Tips That Really Work
We know, we know: A healthy diet and a dedicated fitness routine are the keys to the weight-loss kingdom (sigh), but there are times when we’re all a little less diligent than we should be. Whether we’re too busy to count calories and hit the gym, or we’re just enjoying indulging for a change, we’ve definitely all slacked when it comes to keeping our bodies in tip-top shape. Which is why it’s key to know how to look thinner using nothing but your clothes.
MORE: 12 Ways To Look Thinner in Pictures
Yes, it is possible to look as if we’ve been eating clean and SoulCycling daily simply by choosing our clothing wisely, and a few clever tips and tricks can have an enormous effect on the way we look. Read on to learn how to look thinner using fashion!
1. Invest in Shapewear
By now you’re probably tired of hearing about Spanx and the other gazillion types of stretchy devices that promise to shave off of pounds, but here’s the thing: They really work. At its core, the right piece of shapewear works as a means to help distribute bulges while smoothing you out and holding you in.
To look thinner, it pays to choose a seamless pair of slenderizing briefs, boy shorts, camis or full-body pieces that have reinforced panels to suck in your stomach, slim your thighs, boost your derriere, and define your waist when wearing bodycon dresses, clingy skirts, tight pants or evening gowns.
2. Take a Length and Fit Lesson
If you’re trying to give off a thinner appearance, it’s key to be mindful of hemlines and unwanted volume. This means staying far away from things humorously associated with tourists: capri pants, pleated khakis, long baggy shorts or shapeless calf-length skirts.
MORE: 14 Ways to Look Taller With Fashion
Instead, opt for straight dark jeans that have a bit of stretch and hit exactly at your ankle or an inch or two below. This will elongate your body, especially when paired with heels, ankle boots or pointy flats (which actually make you look taller!). On top, try longer shirts, blazers, or sweaters that aren’t too oversized. Same goes for trousers: Choose dark colors (black and navy are your best bet) without any upper pleating and have a slightly tapered leg. On top, try longer shirts, blazers, or sweaters that aren’t too oversized.
In terms of skirts, a knee-length pencil skirt is the most universally flattering silhouette, as are fitted A-line skirts that hit right above the knee. For an extra slimming boost, pair skirts with opaque black tights in the winter, which automatically make legs of all shapes and sizes appear longer and thinner.
To look leaner, it’s crucial that every item in your closet fits you properly (if you have to become BFFs with your tailor, so be it). With blazers and jackets, always make sure the seams sit perfectly at the bony tops of your shoulders, and that the sleeves hit exactly at your wrist.
Notice how everything fits perfectly without being too snug or too loose.
Photo via FASHION
Here’s small trick that can change the way you shoe shop: Footwear that features a low-cut vamp instantly elongates and slenderizes your leg when you’re wearing skirts, shorts, dresses, and even cropped pants.
Speaking of shoes, a heel—think two and a half inches and above—lifts the body and makes clothes fall better, which gives a slimmer appearance.Look for pumps with slightly pointed toes and thin heels, as opposed to square-toes, super-chunky styles or thick ankle straps, all of which can give the appearance of a shorter, stockier leg.
Low vamp shoes elongate your whole leg, even when you’re wearing pants.
Photo via Pinterest
4. Wear All Black
Using one color to enhance a slender illusion is the oldest trick in the book, and for a good reason: It helps create a long vertical line. While wearing head-to-toe black is the most effective—and eternally chicest—option, other darker hues work well too, such as navy, oxblood, and green. The trick to monochrome dressing: Keep each silhouette crisp and tailored, and stay away from pale shades like beige.
You can’t go wrong with all black!
Photo via Elle
5. Don’t Discount Maxi Skirts
It’s a common fashion myth that curvy women simply cannot wear floor-grazing skirts and dresses, but luckily that’s been proven entirely false. In fact, a well-cut maxi skirt can actually give you the appearance of looking longer and leaner.
MORE: 50 Fashion Rules To Break Right Now
Choose solid versions that skim the length of your body, which will create a long vertical line (forego anything with pleats, bulky pockets, thick elastic waistbands or too many layers.) Be sure to keep your top fitted — a tucked-in T-shirt and a cropped leather jacket or a well-cut blouse in a dark color, for example—so as to not drown in fabric.
Also, make sure the skirt’s hemline is as long as you can go without tripping, and add a pair of high wedges or heels underneath. No flats!
Long skirts can be flattering.
Photo via Stockholm Street Style
High-waist bottoms get a bad rap, probably thanks to an unfortunate Jessica Simpson mishap, but when worn correctly, they can trick the eye into thinking you’re leaner by elongating your lower body.The most slenderizing item to choose are slightly high-rise slim-fitting jeans that hit your ankle with a bit of added spandex for stretch and movement. (One of the most slenderizing styles we’ve found is the High-Rise Twig by BDG, which is sold at Urban Outfitters and is highly affordable.)
MORE: Why I Only Buy Cheap Jeans: A Fashion Editor’s Story
Be sure to make the elevated waist visible by tucking in a tailored blouse, tee, or opting for a slightly cropped top. Don’t choose garments with a super high-waist that button up or have an elastic waistband. Instead, go for a rise that hits directly above your belly button and has a zipper fly.
Make sure the waistband hits above your belly button.
Photos via Need Supply Blog
8. Rock Out With Vertical Stripes
The second oldest trick in the book: Vertical stripes create long lines, thus making you look, well, longer. And while we’re on the subject of stripes, it’s common fashion folklore that horizontal lines can make you look wider. Yes, a skin-tight bodycon dress featurung horizontal lines might only look good on super-skinny gals, but things like a well-fitting classic Breton striped shirts tucked into dark jeans or a tailored skirt flatters every woman.
Vertical stripes = longer (looking) legs.
Photo via Pinterest
MORE: How to Measure Your Own Bra Size
9. Cinch with Skinny Belts
To look slimmer, cinch dresses and tunics with skinny belts—they help define your natural waist in the most flattering way possible. A thick belt, however, can cut you in half, which can cause you to look stumpy. A common trick curvy girls use in the winter that we love is to cinch a boxy coat with a skinny belt in a fun print, like leopard.
Cinch with a skinny belt.
Photo via Harper’s Bazaar
If you don’t want to wear all black, just try masking your problem areas with the shade. Not thrilled with your legs but love your upper body? Mask ’em with a well-fitting pair of black pants or a skirt, and add a bright-colored blouse.
To hide larger arms, midsections, or hips, choose a tailored black blazer, a black silky button-down, or a well-fitting black flat-sweater and show off your great legs with a pair of printed pants, colored jeans, or a bold skirt.
The brighter the color, the more attention that body part will get.
Photo via Streetpeeper
11. Buy a New Bra
Did you know that over 80 percent of women wear bras that are the wrong size? It’s true, and it can make your look larger due to the appearance of sagging breasts. When there’s proper space between your waist and chest, you appear leaner. The solution? Head to your nearest lingerie store to get measured by a pro, or learn to measure your own bra size at home
12. Fake a Tan
A subtle glow makes a world of difference when it comes to looking slimmer. A light spray tan can make your legs, arms, shoulders and neck look pounds thinner, as can a light dusting of bronzer on your cheeks, forehead, and sides of your nose.
