How to look slimmer
No matter how hard we try, many of us have at least some days when we would like to loose a few pounds or be just slightly slimmer than we are. But before you sign up for that expensive monthly gym membership, think about what it is on certain days that makes you feel like this. Often it is the clothes that you are wearing that make you look like you are carrying those extra pounds. Looking great is partly about dressing the right way and finding the clothes that are right for you. If you are self conscious about your weight, you should aim to wear clothes that make you look slimmer and you can loose pounds (or look like it without even venturing through the gym door).
There are a few key principles to consider when dressing to look slimmer. The first is that your clothes should not add bulk by being too big or baggy, but they should also not highlight any bulges by being too tight. Clothes that skim rather than cling are the most flattering for everyone and fitted tailored pieces are a great way of keeping everything in proportion.
Secondly, you should think about any problem areas, there are plenty of tricks that are used by the stylists to slim certain parts of the body for example wearing black tights with black shoes will slim and lengthen the legs. Wide legged trousers can be worn to balance out bigger hips and thighs and empire line dresses work great for covering round tummies.
In order to make your body look slimmer overall, you will want to make it appear longer and narrower. Basically you can do this by creating vertical or diagonal lines across your body. Conversely horizontal lines will tend to make your body appear shorter and wider. Remember horizontal and vertical lines can be created in all sorts of ways, here are just a few to consider:
Draping -draping is incredibly flattering and slimming as it usually creates diagonal and vertical lines across the body as the fabric falls into folds. It also covers and diguises any lumps or bumps.
Open cardigan or jacket - By wearing your cardigan or jacket open not only will you create a vertical line down your body but if wearing a dark colour jacket or cardigan over a brighter or patterned top,  you will make it appear that you are slimmer than you are as the dark colour on will not be very visible. Over blouses are also a good way of creating the same effect.
Vertical stripes - these are always a really flattering and slimming option, the thinner the stripes, the more subtle and slimming the effect will be. They will also have a more subtle effect if there is less contrast between the colours of the stripes.
Long scarves and necklaces - long scarves and necklaces are a great way of adding some colour and interest to an outfit as well as creating a vertical line down the body which slims and streamlines the torso.
Clothing or accessories that create horizontal lines and that you may want to avoid or be careful with include belts, necklines, waistlines and hems (think where the hem falls and watch out for detail and decoration along them), horizontal stripes and colour blocks created by wearing a skirt and top in different colours.