Dressing To Look Skinnier

We've all been there. The sudden loss of confidence when we look in the mirror and decide we're fat. And it's worse if that moment comes just a few short hours before you're due out on your first date with someone great. However rescue is in sight. From our new book on first dates and finding true love 'First Date Magic', here are 10 simple tricks to make you look thinner and create a fabulous first impression.

Trick 1. Wear clothes that fit. It seems like a no brainer, but a lot of people insist on squeezing themselves into things that are too small - probably to delude themselves that they are skinnier than they really are. Anyway whatever the reason, whether you are a size 8 or a size 18, if you wear the wrong size clothes, you'll end up looking bigger than you are. Wearing clothes that are too tight leads to bulges and lumps, just as clothes which are too large can make you look flabby. Try things on before you buy them, and don't let vanity get in the way!

Trick 2. Wear disguises. To make your tummy look flatter, ditch the skintight vest and go for a fitted tunic. Instead of a mini skirt, hide chunky thighs under a mid-length floaty skirt. And remember, thongs and g-strings are fine if you have no fat to hide, but if you want to give the illusion of a trim body, go for something supportive, which helps pull in your tummy. A well fitted bra can also help to create a smoother, slimmer figure.

Trick 3. Highlight your good bits! If you have a slender neck, but carry bit of extra weight on your waistline, draw attention to your neck with an eye catching necklace. If you have toned arms, wear a sleeveless top to make the most of them.

Trick 4. Walk tall. Stand up straight, suck in your gut, lift up your pelvis and pull your shoulder blades back and down. Remember the old book balanced on the head while walking trick - try it! The book shouldn't fall off! And whenever you get the chance, look in the mirror and make sure you are not hunched over. This is possibly the MOST important tip, because bad posture creates the illusion of extra weight.

Trick 5. Wear black. Black slims everyone. It reduces a pot-belly, shrinks muffins and love handles, and can be dressed up with colored belts and jewelry. And contrary to popular belief bigger people can wear bright colored clothes, as long as they work with their body shape and fit properly.

Trick 6. Wear vertical stripes.Vertical lines give the illusion of slimness, but watch out - horizontal lines do the opposite. And always go for slender stripes, because broad stripes can make you look big. What's more, tight clingy vertical stripes accentuate every blip and bulge. For guys, pinstriped formal shirts look great and are slimming too.

Trick 7. Accessories. Never wear anything shiny or bright over an area you're trying to hide.

Trick 8. Trouser tips. Straight legged, or slightly boot cut trousers create an unbroken line down your leg, making you look taller and hence skinnier. Peg legs make a round bottom look like bigger. Boot cut pants balance out the rear. Go for side or rear fastenings if you are a girl. Front flies make your stomach bulge. Trousers must be the right length. Too short makes you look like your clothes are too small (or you are too big!) and too long makes you seem shorter than you really are.

Trick 9. Top tops. Go for bell-shaped sleeves if you have big arms. A universally flattering style of top is the "empire" cut. This cut has a band or something right below the bust. It makes the tummy look flat and helps draw the eye upward toward your face. However, be careful because if the band of the top sits on your bust rather than below it, the effect is negative instead of positive. So make sure you pick an empire cut that fits.

Trick 10. Divided you fall. Try not to divide your body into sections, for example chest, torso, and legs. Instead make it look like one unit. Dresses and matching colors can make you look taller, and therefore slimmer.

So there you are, with a little clever dressing know-how you can drop inconvenient kilos as if by magic, and be on your way to a great first date and a fabulous first impression is just about guaranteed.

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