Beauty Insider Reveals How To Dress... Slimmer! - November 28, 2000 by Diane Irons

No matter what size, age, height or weight you are you can look younger, thinner and better than ever with the techniques I use on my makeovers and transformations.

Here are some tried-and-true secrets for "camouflage dressing." I'm confident they can also work wonders on YOUR personal holiday look!

1. Match your hose to your shoes. Legs look longer and thinner when hose are toned to skirts and shoes. If you're wearing a print, pick out the background color for your hose/shoe selection.

2. Dress in one color. Wearing one color from shoulder to shoe streamlines the body. It's called monochromatic dressing. If you don't want to limit yourself to just one color, choose tones that are closely matched. If you really want to appear thinner, stick to darker colors.

3. A long jacket is a "pounds parer." It can make any outfit look elegant while hiding figure flaws. A loosely-fitted vest can hide a thick waist if a jacket is not warranted.

4. If you have a chubby neck, choose V or scoop necklines. They trick the eye into making the face and neck look longer and leaner. Be sure to continue foundation into the neck area so that there is no color change at the jawline.

5. To bring attention to the face and away from the body, wear a choker and necklace with matching earrings. Tone the makeup down when selecting a sparkly, shiny set.

LOOKING GOOD WHILE GOING DOWN by Diane Irons from The World's Best-Kept Diet Secrets

DRESS UP FOR A NEW YOU

Don’t wait until you’ve lost the weight to start to care about your appearance. Do it now, while you keep going down. You will not only look more attractive, but you’ll feel so much better about yourself.

RULES OF DRESSING THINNER

1. Match your hose to your shoes. Legs look longer and thinner when hose is toned to skirts and shoes.
2. Pleated trousers conceal tummy bulges, so if this is your problem use those pleats to your advantage. The pleats must not be too full, though.
3. An A-line skirt can emphasize body length while hiding heavy thighs.
4. Use a shirt like a jacket or a tunic. Chose a generously cut shirt in a heavy or lined fabric. It’s an elegant look over slim pants, flowing over every possible sin.
5. Dress in one color. Wearing one color from shoulder to shoe streamlines the body. It’s called monochromatic dressing. If you don’t want to limit yourself to just one color, choose colors that are closely matched. If you really want to go for “thing” stick to darker colors.
6. If you have a chubby neck, choose v-necklines. They create the illusion of a longer, leaner body.
7. To bring attention to the face, and away from the body, wear a choker and matching earrings.
8. A long jacket is a “pounds parer.” It can make any outfit look elegant while hiding figure flaws.
9. Chose a low-heeled shoe that is cut low on the instep. Stick to a thinner, more graceful heel.
10. A loosely fitted vest can hide a thick waist.
11. Wear belts in a low slung manner, or gently held around the waist.
12. Always wear control top pantyhose with Lycra.
13. A body suit can eliminate bulge. It also gets rid of unsightly “panty line” and fabric pulling.
14. Choose a well-fitted jacket. A look that is too loose or boxy tends to add pounds.
15. Simple styling is most slimming. Cuffs, pockets and buttons can add width to the body.
16. Wear prints only at the slimmest part of your body. Stay with smaller prints, rather than big flowery ones. Florals have direction like any other print. Look for designs with vertical or diagonal movement.
17. Look for fabrics that drape the body. This would include light woolens, cotton and rayon.
18. Stay away from very large shoulder pads. They may seem to add balance, but they’re really only adding bulk.
19. Double breasted and breast pockets should be avoided if you’re top heavy.
20. Lightweight knits can be slimming, if not worn too tight to the body. Let it skim the body, rather than cling to it.
21. Choose Sturdy shoes, even heels. Delicate shoes make thick angles look thicker.
22. A sarong skirt tied in front hides a tummy.
23. A shorter length makes for a leggier look.
24. A gently nipped-in waist trims the middle of the body.
25. Vertical buttons and seams lengthen the torso area.

There are some great tips here. Many of us are standing at our closet doors and thinking how to make these clothes work until we can lose enough weight to justify a new wardrobe. Maybe buying a new accessory and putting it together with an old "tried and true" can get us through. Thanks, Kelly.

Val

Great suggestions, Kelly! I have had to buy a whole new wardrobe since I have gone from a 12/14 to a 6. I have used many of those tricks to stretch the few things I have been able to afford, especially by buying simple black skirts, pants and tops. Accessories make all the difference, though, it is bad enough now that when I open the closet, my clothes ask, "You again?".

Diane

Great ideas! I remember something too. When I buy these new clothes I want them to be something I look good in; not just something that fits me. I am very close to having to buy some new clothes and that should be a much better experience than having to shop in the recent past. Great advice and topic. From reading all this, I am getting anxious to be at my right weight. I have to let this energy work for me and not allow myself to get bogged down in how much I actually have to lose.

pullling up this info for the influx of newbies