How to Look Slimmer in a Dress

Co-authored by Kalee Hewlett and Sophia Bell

Last Updated: December 20, 2023

No matter what your body shape or size is, you can make strategic choices to help you look sleek and slim in a dress. Choose the right undergarments, opt for a silhouette that lengthens your body, and add accessories that draw the eye to the right areas to complete the look. If you follow these simple tips, you’ll be feeling great and looking slimmer in no time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing the Right Undergarments

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Too-tight panties and bras cause unflattering bulges. Get a professional bra fitting at a lingerie shop to ensure you’re wearing the right size. Ask a salesperson to help you choose a bra that lifts and shapes your breasts. Also, ensure the edges of your underwear don’t squeeze your skin.^{[1]
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Choose shapewear that lifts your breasts and butt while simultaneously smoothing bulges. Shapewear with tummy control help create a slenderer silhouette, especially under garments with high waists, like pencil skirts. Choose from bodysuits, boy shorts, briefs, camis, and more.^{[2]
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Kalee Hewlett
Fashion Stylist

Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.}

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Opaque black tights are guaranteed to make your legs look longer and slimmer. They’re the perfect pairing with your favorite dress during the fall and winter. Add a long cardigan or a tapered jacket to complete your look.^{[3]
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If you’re wearing a tight dress, it’s imperative that the lines of your undergarments are not visible through the fabric. Opt for a thong or g-string, or go with seamless underwear, nylons, or shapewear if you prefer more coverage.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating a Slim Silhouette

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1
Select structured dresses to minimize your midsection. Flowy and A-line dresses add volume to your bottom half which can make you look unbalanced. Structured dresses, like those with an empire waist or pencil skirt, streamline your silhouette.^{[5]
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Kalee Hewlett
Fashion Stylist

Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.}
- For example, opt for a fitted dress with bright colors on top and dark colors from the waist to the hemline to bring focus to the top of your body while slimming down the bottom.
A V-neckline dress draws the eye up toward the face and away from the midsection. It also creates the illusion of a slimmer, longer body and equalizes your proportions. Choose a wide V-neck to balance out broad thighs and hips.^{[6]
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Kalee Hewlett
Fashion Stylist

Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.}
3
Opt for maxi dresses to look long and lean. You don’t have to stick with shorter hemlines to look sleek and slim. Go for solid maxi dresses that don’t add bulk with pleats or pockets. Ensure the bottom of the dress just brushes the floor, rather than showing your shoes or ankles.^{[7]
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- For instance, opt for a royal blue maxi dress that skims the length of your body and pair it with wedges and a long necklace.
4
Select wrap dresses to highlight your natural waist. Dresses that cinch in at your natural waist draw the eye to your thinnest point, while taking the focus away from problem areas. Go for dresses with bows or other details at your natural waist to create the illusion of an hourglass figure.^{[8]
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- For example, pick a long-sleeved ballet wrap dress in a bright color that flares away from your natural waist and pair it with nude pumps.
5
Pick small prints to make yourself look smaller. You don’t have to shy away from prints and wear all black to look slim. Print dresses actually have camouflaging features that help you hide areas you may feel insecure about. However, you should opt for small prints to make your frame look smaller, rather than large prints which give the impression of a bigger surface area.^{[9]
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- For instance, choose a shift dress with a tiny flower pattern instead of one with large blooms.
Dresses with strategically-placed inserts on the sides instantly create an hourglass shape. Look for dresses that are one color along the front and back with contrasting side panels.^{[10]
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Cotton, silk, denim, and wool gabardine are “flat” fabrics that won’t add bulk to your body. You can also choose fabrics that help slim and shape, including fine cotton, jersey, cashmere, and spandex blends.^{[11]
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Velvet, corduroy, leather, taffeta, and brocade should be avoided, as they add volume to your silhouette. Stay away from other heavy fabrics, like satin, flannel, suede and mohair.^{[12]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Adding Accessories

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Layer on a tapered jacket to camouflage curves. An open jacket or blazer streamlines your silhouette. The narrow lapels and crisp lines make your body look slimmer, too.^{[13]
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- For instance, if you’re wearing a dress for business or to the office, add a tapered blazer in a complementary color to your outfit.
Avoid shorter, hip-grazing sweaters, which shorten the look of your body. Opt for long cardigans that flow to your thighs, instead. A long cardigan is the perfect fall accessory to a dress that hits just below the knee.^{[14]
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A wide belt cinched at your natural waist draws the eye to the thinnest part of your body. Skinny belts can get swallowed by the fabric, whereas a wider belt stands out and makes you look smaller.^{[15]
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4
Select stilettos with pointed toes. Thin heels and slender toes lengthen your calves’ narrow silhouette. Opt for a 2 in (5.1 cm) heel or higher to make your legs look slimmer.^{[16]
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- Square toes and thick heels make your legs seem shorter and bulkier, so avoid those styles.
- Reader Poll: we asked 1349 wikiHow readers, and 71% agreed that the best shoes to wear with dresses are heels. [Take Poll]
5
Wear shoes that match your skin tone to lengthen your legs. Opt for heels that are close to your skin tone rather than those that contrast. Nude shoes lengthen the look of your legs, rather than cutting them off at the ankle. Keep your legs bare and go for a dress that hits at mid-thigh or just below the knee.^{[17]
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- However, if you want to wear black pumps, for instance, pair them with sheer black tights.
Necklaces also draw attention to the top of the body and away from the tummy and hips. Opt for a necklace that reaches to your breasts or lower, rather than choosing a choker or necklace that rests at mid-chest.^{[18]
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Many women feel self-conscious about their upper arms. Stack several bangles or opt for a sparkly wrist cuff paired with cocktail rings to draw focus from your upper arms to your wrists and hands.^{[19]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

What accessories can I wear to look slimmer with a strapless dress?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Your best bet is going to be a long necklace. This will give center your chest with a kind of V-shaped vertical accent, which should create the appearance that you're slimmer than you are.

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How can I make my upper body look smaller if I can't wear a dress?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Contrast with something loose and baggy on the bottom. So if you’re more into a street style and you’ve got oversized boyfriend jeans, a body top would look really good with that. That tighter top will contrast really nicely with the baggier jeans underneath it.

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Question

What's the easiest way to look slimmer?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Probably a form-fitting bodysuit. So long as it isn't sticking out of your outfit, people won't even know you're wearing one underneath your clothing.

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