How to Dress Slimmer…BE BOLD!

In my thirties, I received three precious packages with the delivery of my children.  I also received extra pounds which over thirty years I have never completely been rid of. We will save all excuses for another day.

Ten years ago, I began to study how to look slimmer in my clothes and I want you to know the following advice has been tested and approved!  I absolutely love for someone to say, “Wow, you have lost weight!”  When I know I haven’t, but I have applied tips on how to dress slimmer so I look like I have!

By now, some of you may wonder WHERE IS THE ADVICE ON JEANS from Charla Krupp’s book How Not to Look Old? (affiliate link)  At the request of some local new readers, I am answering what I have learned about dressing thinner and will return to our age next week.  I do believe this advice also promotes youth. When we are confident in what we wear, we just look youthful, vibrant, and joyful.

My acronym for today is BOLD.  We must begin with boldness, courage to step out from hiding.  That is what extra weight does to so many women.  It causes us to hide in oversized clothing and sometimes to hide from life.  It took me awhile to understand that boxy, oversized clothing was actually adding more weight.  When I had the courage to wear form fitting clothes and show off the curves, I looked slimmer. So, we must begin with courage.

To look slimmer, BE BOLD.

B is for body acceptance.

It is what it is…accept that this is your body for today. Decide to make it look the best it can so that you leave the house with confidence.  Actually, I did not have success at losing weight until I began to see how my body could look and how much fun it is!  Decide now to look fabulous today!  Once you begin to see how some of these tips help…you will get excited…I promise!

O is for observation of ways to elongate your body.

Body portions when dressing make a difference however tall or short you are.  When we chop our body into pieces with short tops and capris, it gives the appearance of being larger in the middle.  I have learned to wear these items the most: V neck tops (avoid a turtleneck); jackets which hit me at the top of my leg and bottom of my hip; pants which go to the ankle or longer; skirts lengths at the middle of my knee; designs with lines down the front…all to elongate my look.  I also avoid shoes with straps across the top because they will chop off that long body appearance. Darker shoes keep the eye going long…never underestimate the shoes in your total style.

L is to once again remember less is more.

Piling on too many accessories and too much fabric will make a woman look larger.  It does not hide anything.  I once asked a local fashion editor what his best advice was for midlife women.  He said, “Everyone should own a three way mirror.”  I agree…though I hate them.

Only in a mirror can we see that sometimes we are not hiding anything, but look larger.  I do not look good in my longer jackets and coats until I have lost some weight, and then I love them.  The high-low blouses and tunics are fun, but they did not help my look until after I began weight training, and now I can love them again.

D is to direct the eye.

Perhaps the most important tip when you want to dress thinner right now.  Direct the eye to your most flattering places.  You can do this with a belt highlighting your curves or right at the smallest part under “The Girls.”  That reminds me, get a new bra every year to keep the girls up high and you will lose ten pounds!  It is amazing what a proper fit bra will do!

Cuff your jackets and blouses to just under the elbow which once again directs the eye to your smallest part.   Do not wear all-over prints.  A print should be only one garment with a neutral to compliment.  A peplum top is great for those who want to hide the tummy area. It looks awesome with a well fitted pencil skirt.  Do not be afraid of pencil skirts, dresses and skinny leg pants.  Try them on and you will see how they work.  A wrap dress directs the eye to the smallest part of you and is universally flattering.

Finally, great seaming, darts – whatever you want to call them – direct the eye to curves.  Make sure all jackets and blouses have seams which flatter…no big boxy looks.

Whew…I realize I have hit you with a lot!

BE BOLD…look fabulous and wear your best accessor–YOUR SMILE!

Has anything else worked for you? Tell us!  Thanks for stopping by the Joy Boutique, and have an amazing week everyone!