Clothes 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, they can make you look thinner. By carefully selecting your garments and following some simple fashion rules, it is possible to dress yourself a few sizes slimmer. Here are five amazing fashion tricks to help you drop a dress size – in an instant.
1. DIET DRESSES
You may think celebs are the last people needing help with their bodies, but designers are showing us that clever dresses are the secret weapon for creating fabulous figures. Let me introduce you to the optical illusion dress! Supermodel Kate Moss might not look like she needs to use a trick of any kind but even she has given the trend a go (she recently wore a creation by pal Stella McCartney to the designer's London Fashion Week dinner.)
Kate Moss in an optical illusion dress
But she’s not alone, Jasmine le Bon and Kate Winslet have also been photographed wearing the eye catching design. The clever cut - which features panels down the side of the dress – will shave inches off your silhouette making you appear slimmer in seconds. Check out your local high street for a wide selection of copy-cat designs.
Kate Winslet looking fabulous in Stella McCartney
2. INVEST IN YOUR UNDERWEAR
THE most important part of a woman's wardrobe is her underwear, which can transform you from lumpy and bumpy to smooth and sculpted. Shapewear is the easiest way to change your silhouette without visiting the gym. You can target and smooth problem areas, lift your bottom, flatten your stomach, slim your hips and define your waist. For essential tummy support, M&S‘s Smooth Control Magic Waist Cincher, performs minor miracles on your waistline and is a brilliant investment for your wardrobe.
Marks and Spencer Ultimate Magic Secret Support Waist Cincher €44
3. IF IN DOUBT – GO LARGE
A huge necklace or a fabulous pair of shoes can draw attention to the best parts of your body and divert it from the not-so-good bits. It’s important to remember that giant accessories will make you look small, so bin that teeny weenie clutch and opt instead for an oversized bag, because the bigger your handbag the smaller you will appear in comparison. That’s why Victoria Beckham carries a Birkin bag wider than her waist and Katherine Heigl never leaves home without her enormous Valentino hold all. The same applies for other accessories; oversized sunglasses and large earrings are in right now, so take advantage.
Victoria Beckham - fond of oversized bags
4. THE PERFECT SHOE
The same advice also holds true when it comes to footwear. The larger your shoe is the slimmer your leg will appear – Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston and Gwen Stefani are often pictured wearing oversized wedge heels when they are photographed in glossy magazines. They are made to create the illusion that you are taller, your legs are longer and your bottom is perter than it really is. And that’s why I love wedges. Unlike the common old pump (a poor excuse for a shoe)
Emma Stone rocking a pair of nude wedges
5. INVEST IN A WRAP DRESS
Universally flattering, asymmetrical cuts "whittle down" your waist and hide trouble spots. Designer Diane von Furstenberg, who popularized the look, explains: "A wrap dress does exactly what it claims: It wraps you. And because it's typically made of jersey fabric, it molds to your body, helping to sculpt it."
Meryl Streep looks great in a coral wrap evening dress
