How to Dress to Make Yourself Look Skinnier

Co-authored by Stephanie Alexandris, MA

Last Updated: July 24, 2024 Approved

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Plenty of people feel self-conscious about their weight, and many may even feel insecure about how heavy they think they look. However, with a few simple fashion tricks, you can help yourself look a little slimmer.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

How to Build a Good Foundation With Undergarments

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1
Wear undergarments that fit. This is especially important when selecting a bra.^{[1]
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Research source} A good fitting bra helps to shape your silhouette and you're your chest contained. Wearing the wrong size bra can create cutting lines that dig into your skin and cause your bust to spill out from the top. Consider getting your bra size professionally measured at the women's section of a department store.
- Wearing underwear that is too small can create bulges and panty lines that can be seen through pants and other garments.^{[2]
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  Research source} Consider purchasing seamless underwear in your correct size.
While thin bikini bottoms and thongs prevent panty lines, they cover the bare minimum and offer no lift or support. Try boy shorts, briefs, and other styles that help pull in your buttocks, stomach, and thighs.^{[3]
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Research source} These cuts can help create a tighter, smoother appearance.

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Try body-slimming undergarments. If you want extra help creating a shapely figure and keeping your excess weight in check, try a body shaping undergarments.^{[4]
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Research source} These undergarments can slip over your stomach, thighs, chest, arms, and rear and help prevent these areas from jiggling around too much.
- You may find this option a little excessive for daily wear, but it is especially helpful for special occasions.
Control-top hosiery works extremely well to keep your midsection flat, especially when wearing dresses and skirts. Control top hosiery has a tall, thick layer at the top hem designed to stretch over your stomach and keep everything in place. This creates a smoother look that will make your dress or skirt look more flattering.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

How to Put Together Flattering Outfits

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Buy the right size clothes. Clothes that are too small and tight will show every area of excess your body has. On the other hand, clothes that are too big and baggy will make you look wider and heavier than you actually are. Only clothes that fit you properly will flatter you. That means trying clothes on at the store.^{[5]
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Research source} Just because a size tag claims a shirt is a certain size, doesn't mean that that shirt is going to fit you the same as other shirts you have in that same size.
- If having your clothes fit you properly means getting you garments tailored, so be it.^{[6]
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Opt for fitted clothing styles rather than clingy or baggy styles. Going further than just wearing clothes that actually fit you, wear clothing styles that flatter your body most. That means avoiding overly tight and clingy clothes.^{[7]
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Research source} Tight material will hug to your body and show every fold you have. When you're trying to look slimmer, you should aim to draw attention away from excess skin, not display it.
- The same can be said for the opposite: Clothes that are too loose make you look frumpy and bigger than you actually are – which is unflattering. However, look for clothing that drapes over your frame rather than hanging off of it.^{[8]
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  Research source} You want your clothing to be fitted yet comfortably loose enough to follow along your body's contours without smothering them.^{[9]
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Black has a slimming effect on you and can look especially nice with trousers, skirts, and dresses. All black looks can be flattering, but there is a fine line between looking chic and looking gloomy. If you decide to wear an all black look, incorporate a pop of color somewhere (blouse, shoes, lip color, purse, belt, etc.).
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Add some dark wash denim and other rich colors to your style. Usually, dark colors have a slimming effect similar to the effect created by wearing black.^{[10]
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Research source} A good way to bring color and interest into your wardrobe is by including a variety of rich colors, from deep plum to dark olive and navy blue to chocolate brown.
- Strategically use dark colors to slim out your trouble areas, and bright colors to bring attention to your more flattering areas.^{[11]
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A blazer is an easy way to cover up unflattering arms, but the vertical lines of the lapels create a nice elongation of your figure. An open blazer paired with V-neck shirt and dark jeans is an easy go-to outfit to quickly throw together.^{[12]
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Try to incorporate bold colors and patterns. As mentioned earlier, bold colors can accentuate your good areas and dark colors can conceal on your problem areas. Consider adding some bold color and print patterns into your wardrobe to mix things up. Be sure that you choose print patterns that are small – approximately the size of your fist.^{[13]
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- Bold patterns can distract the eye and camouflage your outline, causing the observer to notice the item of clothing instead of your size.
- Choose patterns in bright or deep colors, since patterns in light colors may actually draw further attention to your imperfections and make you look larger.
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Try monochromatic color schemes. Large blocks of solid color draw the eye up and down rather than side to side. As a result, the eye takes in more height than width, causing you to appear thinner and taller.^{[15]
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Research source} Try wearing solid color dresses, top and bottom pieces, or even color blocked dresses.
- Color blocked dresses can create the same flattering look a dress with one color creates, except color blocked dresses have with different colored panels that can create or accentuate a flattering figure.^{[16]
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Stock up on V-neck shirts, sweaters, cardigans, and other vertical necklines to draw the eye up and down, elongating and narrowing your torso.^{[17]
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Research source}Avoid horizontal necklines, like crew necks and boat necks, since these may make your shoulders and bust look wider.
Think pinstripes, pleats, and vertical zippers, and avoid horizontal stripes or rows of embellishments. Vertical details prompt the eye to look up and down instead of side to side, which helps create the illusion of slenderness.
Skinny jeans and other trousers with a tapered leg draw attention to your hips and upper leg, which can make your top look heavy. Instead, look for straight-leg, boot-cut, and other pant styles with a slight flare.^{[18]
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Research source} These styles pull the eyes down and away, creating an overall leaner look.
A-line skirts are fitted at the hip and upper thigh, but flare out toward the knee, creating a balanced look juxtaposed to your legs. ^{[19]
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Research source} Knee-length skirts are the most universally flattering, but many mid-calf styles may also work well depending on your height.
For instance, if you carry excess weight in your stomach, look for peplum tops and dresses that flare out and can be paired with a high waisted a-line skirt. Additionally, wrap shirts and dresses can help cinch your waist and cover up bulky areas.^{[20]
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Research source} Lean toward clothing that carefully masks your problem areas without adding too much bulk.
If you carry excess weight in your thighs, look for bottoms with few pockets and no embellishments on the hip.^{[21]
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Research source} Details draw attention, and any part of your body covered in visual detailing will look more noticeable.
If you have strong legs and are proud of them, highlight them by raising your skirt's hemline a few inches. If you have a well-defined waist, look for nipped, high waisted waistlines and belts that really call attention to it. By drawing attention to the most slender parts of your body, you create the illusion of overall slenderness and confidence.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

How to Accessorize With Shoes

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High heels make your leg look long and lean, and a leaner-looking leg helps create a leaner look overall. If you have wide feet, strappy sandals and flats will only accentuate the heft of your foot.^{[22]
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Research source} Your heels don't have to be stilettos, but a thinner, two-inch heel or more, can help elongate the look of your legs. Try a pointed toe with a lower vamp (area that cover your toes) and avoid squared toes.^{[23]
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Ankle straps place a horizontal line at the top of your foot, which cuts off your leg and makes it look shorter.^{[24]
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Research source} A shorter looking leg reduces the illusion of overall skinniness.
Shoes matching your leg's skin tone will create the illusion of longer legs. Black booties or pumps paired with black solid tights are a go to look for the colder winter months.^{[25]
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Research source} For the summer months, try skin-toned shoes and pumps and wear them with your bare legs.^{[26]
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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

How to Style With Additional Slimming Techniques

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1
Use makeup to draw attention to your face. A touch of eye shadow or a popping shade of lipstick keeps the focus on your face and off your body. Be sure to keep your eyebrows nicely arched and shaped and to cover up and under eye circles that could appear to drag your face down.
- However, you don't wear too much make-up. Just add a bit of color to one feature at a time—usually either your eyes or your lips—and keep the rest of your make-up looking natural.
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Style your hair. Ask your stylist about styles that can elongate your neck or face. In general, wide bob cuts may add too much width to your face, but many long, layered styles direct the eye up and down instead of side to side.
- Considering pulling your hair up and away from your face. You could tease the crown of you head to give some volume, while tying your hair into a smooth ponytail.^{[27]
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Think bright, sassy, long necklaces.^{[28]
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Research source} Stick with jewelry and other accessories that create a vertical look, and avoid horizontal accessories like chokers that may make your neck or other features look thicker.
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Try a belt. Even though it creates a horizontal line across your body, a fashionable belt tied around your natural waist may emphasize the narrowness of your waist and create a flattering, slim silhouette. Stick with narrow belts rather than wider belts. This will encourage that your waist looks cinched, rather than bound.
- For example, consider a thin, leopard printed belt with a black outfit.

Expert Q&A

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Question

I have a not so fat stomach in the front but the sides are thick, so how do I make myself look thinner in a bathing suit?

Stephanie Alexandris, MA
Master's Degree, Fashion Business, ESMOD Paris
Stephanie Alexandris is a Fashion Stylist in New York City. She has worked with an extensive range of brands, including Alexander Wang, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Maison Margiela and Rick Owens while she was living in Paris, and Harper's Bazaar, J.McLaughlin, and Express during her tenure in New York City. She holds a Master's degree in Fashion Business from ESMOD France and an undergraduate degree from New York University.

Stephanie Alexandris, MA

Master's Degree, Fashion Business, ESMOD Paris

Expert Answer

Try a high-waisted bikini. Make sure that its a good fit and not too small, as this can cut you off and accentuate those areas.

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Question

People call me skinny, but that's just my upper body and my calves. My upper thighs just annoy me and my thigh gap is gone. How can I make my thighs look smaller? I wear skinny jeans.

Stephanie Alexandris, MA
Master's Degree, Fashion Business, ESMOD Paris
Stephanie Alexandris is a Fashion Stylist in New York City. She has worked with an extensive range of brands, including Alexander Wang, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Maison Margiela and Rick Owens while she was living in Paris, and Harper's Bazaar, J.McLaughlin, and Express during her tenure in New York City. She holds a Master's degree in Fashion Business from ESMOD France and an undergraduate degree from New York University.

Stephanie Alexandris, MA

Master's Degree, Fashion Business, ESMOD Paris

Expert Answer

Try wide-legged trousers or bell bottom / flare jeans. These will draw attention away from your thighs.

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How do I create a nice and easy hairstyle at home?

Community Answer

You could just try a simple ponytail, but if you're not happy with the way that looks, I would suggest a simple bun with some face-framing pieces on the sides.

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Tips

Wear darker colors like navy and black to conceal bigger areas. Avoid lighter colors like light blue and beige because they will accentuate your size.

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Work on your posture. Stand up straight, pull your stomach in, and keep your shoulders back. Good posture will keep you looking slim and tall, but slouching will cause you to look stouter and frumpier.

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Do what you can to feel good about your weight. Manage it with diet and exercise, but avoid unhealthy fad diets or other obsessive behaviors that can lead to eating disorders. A little bit of moderate exercise can help you slim down, relieve stress, and feel confident.

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Try to dress in ways that make you feel confident. Being confident in your clothes can help you feel more comfortable and happier with your body the way it is.

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