Want to look fab but worried about your flab? You need some stylish figure fixers in your wardrobe and you’ll look 7lbs slimmer in an instant says Georgina Heffernan.
Q. Since having my first child three months ago, I’ve put on about a stone in weight, which I’m finding almost impossible to shift. I’m exercising and eating healthily, so I know that I will lose it eventually. In the meantime, do you have any advice as to how I can disguise the extra weight without having to resort to faddy diets or uncomfortable support underwear?
A. The right wardrobe can make you glam, make you sexy, make you look a million dollars. But, most important of all, if you're carrying a few surplus pounds, it can make you look thinner. By carefully selecting your outfits and following some simple fashion rules, it is possible to dress yourself a few sizes slimmer. The key to finding flattering clothes is in the fabric and the cut.
One of the great misconceptions about dressing to look slimmer is that you should cover everything up. The more you try to shroud yourself, the bigger you're going to look - and one of the most slimming devices you can buy is a big broad belt. For years it was impossible to find anything other than the most mundane belts, but now there are belts of every shape and size on hand.
If you wear a wide belt, either tightly clasped with a bit of elasticity or possibly buckled in the front, you can give yourself a proper waistline which will quickly diminish the appearance of weight gain. The broader the belt, the more effective it will be.
Avoid the temptation to buy oversized outfits - you might think that you're successfully concealing a multitude of sins but you'll only make yourself appear even larger. Look out instead for fitted clothes that gently skim your curves and won't dig in and pinch your flesh. Clothes that are too tight will draw attention to the parts you're trying to cover.
Avoid unflattering velvet and shiny fabrics - they'll merely add bulk to your frame. Pieces made of forgiving fabrics - from flowing silk to crisp cotton - help you look sleek and polished, even on “I feel fat” days. For those who worry about chunky thighs, tailored trousers with a pleat down the front can create the illusion that legs are longer. Thighs can also be disguised by donning a dress – Monsoons’s 1950s style floral dress is a good buy.
But steer clear of this season's nautical horizontal stripes, they're notorious for creating an undesirable widening effect. You should opt instead for the trendy 1920s dropped waist look that flatters most body shapes or a flowing maxi dress, which is one of the hottest looks this season. Invest in a pair of well-fitting jeans.
Find a style that flatters your shape and they'll knock pounds off you instantly. I love low-waisted, straight leg jeans (skinny styles don't suit everyone) and I know they suit my shape. Topshop has a great selection, starting at €48.
Remember, no numbers with yards of flamenco ruffles - only slim column dresses that add inches to one's height. No micro-minis - just pencil and slight A-line shapes that always hit below the knee. And heels, heels, heels!
