We are always shown clothing on pencil thin models and mannequins as though that were the norm. The tall skinny look never seems to go out in the fashion world, as if that body was the only figure allowed to wear clothes! At work we don’t need to look alluring or creative or faddish, just professional. Don’t worry, image consultants know really wearable tips and techniques to shave off a few pounds visually. Here are just a few easy optical illusions to try.
The Silhouette
When you try anything on, pay attention to the shape around the outside of the entire outfit. (The silhouette). Clothing such as dresses and jackets nipped in at the waist flatter your figure and create a feminine shape more than straight or boxy styles or unconstructed loose-fitting clothing. Especially if they are in darker shades such as royal blue, pine green, burgundy, mid grey or cappuccino. Everyone thinks it has to be black but all deeper shades “recede” or have a diminishing effect inside a well-defined, flattering shape such as hourglass. The two techniques together have the effect of keeping your eye inside the shape with the optical illusion of making it appear smaller.
The Role of Line In The Total Design
Designers talk about vertical, diagonal and horizontal lines. An example of a horizontal is a waistline which defines where the top meets the bottom of the garment. A vertical or diagonal line will take the eye north to south down the body without pausing at the widest part or emphasizing a curve. Color blocking is a great example to shave off the sides of waist and hips, especially if the side panels are a deeper shade than the center.
Column of Color
Avoid chopping up the body with lots of colors, belts, empire waistlines or colorful borders around the skirts. Keep it simple and monochromatic. A column of color is a great example of this technique when both top and bottom are in the same or similar shades. For example: shirts, tops and blouses over trousers, jeans and skirts. Slip a cardigan, bolero, blazer or shrug over as a third piece in a print or contrasting shade and you end up with a slenderizing outfit. The optical illusion here is actually the internal silhouette or the slim shape created by the space between the front pieces of the coat or jacket. The effect is to shrink your waist, especially if the jacket design is curved at the waist sides and curved in front.
Fabric Weight
Avoid thick fabrics such as tweed, corduroy, flannel in fitted indoor garments like pleated pants, gathered skirts and double- breasted blazers. They are great if you are skinny but add bulk over generous curves and add pounds right where you don’t want them. In colder weather, use layers of fluid or lighter weight fabrics like a tropical weight wool, cotton jersey, crepe, light knitwear, wool polyester or rayon which drape or glide down the body. You can copy the tweed look but in a poly blend which is lightweight.
Pay Attention To Your Slimmer Areas
You have four slim areas: neck, waist, elbow to wrist, knee to floor. Beware fashion garments which take away your slender areas such as wide pants and square cut over-blouses. If you end up covering up all slender areas, rethink your outfit and be sure to frame or show at least two and all four visible is best!
Always end a sleeve, neckline or skirt hem at a thinner part of the body. The hemline can end above the knee if the leg is slender, on or just below the knee, right where it narrows, or just below the calf in a fuller skirt. A sleeve can end just on or below the wrist bone, just above or below the elbow or midway between the wrist and the elbow. Sleeves which cover the wrist and hand foreshorten your legs and can make the whole garment look too big. Avoid bulky knitted turtle necks which make your neck look thicker and shorter. Actually, a lower neckline showing the top of the chest is more flattering because it can elongate the neck. A low neckline can look alluring for the office party but keep it tasteful. Too low throws out the proportions and may give the wrong impression.
Use Length To Camouflage Overly Generous Curves
Most of us admire a gorgeous curvy figure, but some complain that their curves are top or bottom heavy. If your curves are too much for you, use lines and designs which bypass the curve and add length. Never use cropped or short, boxy jackets which end right on the curve of the bust. They add lots of unnessessary bulk around the chest region. A duster coat or longer cardigan do wonders to take the eye right past the danger area. A tunic or simple dress with a dropped waist can elongate
the top and bypass the bustline. Strategically placed pressed or stitched pleats on a long skirt can flatten curves and elongate the lower half. A peplum (little top skirt) on a dress or jacket does wonders to camouflage a rounded tummy as long as there are no gathers or thick pleats right in front. For the curvaceous figure, clothing with simple designs is more flattering than full gathered skirts, and voluminous blouses with long puffed sleeves.
Final Word
There are many more techniques to borrow from the fields of design and the psychology of perception which help make your figure appear taller and slimmer, if that’s the effect you want. As image consultants we help give people confidence and clients often ask us how to improve an existing outfit or make a new purchase more flattering. They want to look great in their clothes. We are full of tricks to help you whatever look you are aiming for with minimum cost, stress and time and maximum appeal.
